Since all of the architects in Long Beach, CA are either sole proprietors or part of privately owned companies, the experience you get from one architect to another can vary quite a bit. Some architects tout themselves as full-service architects who handle everything from design, to obtaining permits, to overseeing the construction of the project. Others will do design only, which leaves you (or someone else you hire) to secure building permits and other approvals. It also means that your general contractor has to interpret the building plans without the assistance of the person who designed them.
Before you sign a contract with an architect, you need to make sure that you know what kind of architect you are hiring. Don’t just make your decision based on a flashy website and a great portfolio, or just go with the architect who quotes you the lowest price. Take the time to find out what services are included with the architect’s fee. Doing so can mean the difference between a smooth experience and an extremely stressful one.
It’s all about expectations. If you know your architect will be doing nothing more than drafting plans for your building or remodeling project, and that’s all you need or want from them—great! But most people need a lot more support than that. They need someone to walk them through the process and speak to other industry professionals on their behalf, such as engineers and general contractors. And they especially need someone to work with city officials to get their projects approved.
Mark Grisafe, an architect in Long Beach, CA, had this to say about people who try to get plans approved on their own: “One of the greatest frustrations for homeowners or business owners when dealing with the people behind the city’s development services counter is that the two parties just don’t speak the same language. The city will ask for things like site plans, Cal Green Notes, Title 24 calculations, a WQMP, or a FEMA valuation. The average person would have no reason to know what any of these things are.”
Long Beach architects, on the other hand, deal with these types of things every day. They know exactly what the city is looking for, and can usually anticipate what they will need to approve the project.
Grisafe says: “Our Long Beach architecture firm offers what we like to call ‘concierge service.’ This type of service appeals to clients who want a smooth experience, whether they’re doing a home remodel, a tenant improvement project, or a ground-up build. They want their project to turn out amazing, but they also want the complexities handled for them by a professional they trust. We handle everything from code research to managing the permitting process. We oversee outside professionals like engineers, landscape designers, and general contractors. We’re involved with the entire process until the project is complete.”
There are plenty of architects in Long Beach, CA who would be happy to draw up simple plans and send you on your way to navigate the rest of the process on your own. But if you want an architect who will be involved beyond the design process, you may have to take a little extra time to seek one out.
