Q: Do I need a licensed architect to design my project?
A: In Massachusetts, projects involving single-family and two-family dwellings do not have to be prepared by, or "stamped" by a licensed architect in most cases. In fact, most residential projects don't involve architects at all. Drawings are prepared by home designers or builders. Scott Lewis is a home designer with a professional degree in Architecture and over thirty years of experience in all aspects of residential design and construction. In some cases, drawing will need to be stamped by a structural engineer. This service is usually NOT very costly, and is often provided for free by lumber supply companies from whom you buy construction materials.

Q: What will the drawings cost?
A: That depends on the scope of the project and whether or not you see it to completion. After an initial consultation, Scott Lewis can prepare a custom proposal describing the project and breaking it down into discreet phases (measuring the existing house, schematic design, etc.). The cost of each phase of work reflects the number of hours it should take to complete. The cost of the design work is not based on the construction cost, nor is it based on square footage. And it is generally much less expensive than fees charged by architectural firms staffed to take on larger projects, who frequently charge based on a percentage of construction cost).

Q: Will you build the project?
A: No. The designer's purpose is to help the homeowner (often with the input of a builder) figure out the design, producing a set of plans that any number of contractors can bid on. You, the homeowner client will own and control the design, and the drawings will be sufficient to assure that the bidding process is fair to all interested builders.

Q: Does an initial consultation cost anything?
A:Usually not, unless there's a great deal of travel time involved. Just ask.

Q: Where is your office?
A: Scott Lewis works from his home office in Auburndale (part of Newton), Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. He works on projects located throughout eastern Massachusetts, including metro-West suburbs, the north shore, south shore, and on Cape Cod.

Q: Can you provide all of the necessary services for getting a building permit?
A: In many cases, yes. Often, however, you will also need the services of a surveyor to prepare a site plan and certify compliance with various zoning requirements of the town. Other kinds of engineering services that are sometimes required include septic engineering (for private septic systems), soils engineering (if ground conditions warrant analysis), structural engineering (often provided at no cost by lumber suppliers), or others.

Q: Why do I need a set of plans?
A: Two reasons. First, you will need plans to submit to the town building department in order to receive a building permit. The town needs to know that what you do to your home complies with applicable building codes and zoning ordinances. Building inspectors will look over the work as it proceeds to check for compliance, refering to the drawings in many cases. Second, the plans are part of your contract between you and your builder. If the drawings are incomplete, disagreements and possibly litigation will result, once it becomes clear that what you thought you were buying does not match up with what the builder thought he needed to provide.