Memo to buyers of inspiration

Aleksandr amphitheater building a house on an individual project cost of design services ranging from 4 to 10% of the total budget. A lot or a little? For that, ultimately paid by the customer? Buyer finished project is always right - he just knows that he takes. Customer is an individual project, driven by a noble passion for excellence, unwittingly, but inevitably drawn into the complex process. Its result can exceed all expectations, but can - quite the contrary. Of course, if successful, we put it in a predominantly merit itself, and defeat entirely refer to the account of the architect. But if you look at the matter objectively, necessarily come to the conclusion that the root of evil - vague idea of ??what we get for their money. Anyone who treats us First and foremost, an individual project - the ideological foundation of the house. That is, simply put, a decision that takes into account a lot of options. Part of the parameter sets we do - for example, choosing the overall style of the house. Another part of us is almost independent: the existing infrastructure or site relief, usually have to take for granted. And finally, there are limits, which can be separated - a different question to what extent and at what price. Working on the project, the architect of "reads" the objective situation and predicts the consequences of the customer's wishes. But most importantly - find a compromise between the two requests, common sense and the law profession. For this we are, strictly speaking, to him and pay: a designer is more like a lawyer or a doctor than as a painter. In one situation he can "to win outright, and another - only to minimize trouble. For example, to give an acceptable aesthetic appearance of excessively huge house, which will be erected on a small plot. The result, of course, depends on the skills and talents of the architect. But the same extent it depends on the willingness of customers to cooperate. And, of course, the important role played by budget: it not only sets the framework, but also allows you to set priorities. Dimensions of gratitude preliminary design can be depleted short list of documents. This explanatory memorandum (concept), the overall look of the house, thumbnails of all the facades, sections, roof plan, floor plans, as well as general and contingency plans for the site. Beautiful picture, "House" without the site plan is not a draft design. The cost of preliminary design is 15-25% of the total cost of project works. The question of the cost of design services in our country according to tradition on both sides of the perceived pain - money, we certainly love more than talking about them. Therefore, some ingenious architectural and construction companies generally do not prescribe the payment of design services separately - say, "all inclusive". There should be noted that by making it easier separation from the labor savings, they are simultaneously immerse us into the darkness of ignorance - whether to sort out all you will not find. More transparent and common system - interest. The percentage allocated to the general budget allocated for construction of homes. And in Russia averaged bottom bracket - 4%, and the upper - 10%. In Europe and the States about four percent and no one to talk does not: there is an architect gets 15 and sometimes 30 percent. However, the lamentations of local architects on the theme of underestimating the creative work is not entirely justified. Measure the real liability here and abroad absolutely not comparable: Western architects are constantly runs the risk of getting bogged down in a painful and wasteful litigation, since all his moves are documented and any error is a cause for action. If we consider that in the contract, among other things, specify all materials and testing, it becomes clear that Western counterparts and spend their fees at best. Documentary approach we are known to tinker with the papers no one likes. But in vain. And it was not in litigation - literate documentary approach creates the basis for successful design. Coming into contact with the designer, it is advisable to prepare a so-called technical task. In the first place - in order to clearly understand and articulate what we want and what have. That is a job you can and should be designated as the known characteristics of the site, and an absolute demand for future construction, the number of floors and total area to the aesthetic preferences. All that is unclear, it should discuss, not shelving them and not left to chance circumstances. However, we must realize that until the contract is concluded, some questions remain unanswered. Nobody is obliged to do serious calculations or study in depth the situation as we do not assume obligations. To get full information, to sign an agreement - even if it is a draft design. The working draft contains general and contingency plans for the site, detailed study of the future home of all its elements, as well as free-standing buildings. It includes the working documents and cost estimates. Architectural section includes floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plan, statement of window and door frames. In addition, for the individual project is particularly important architectural study of all non-standard items. Constructive section includes the layout of foundations, floors, stairs, truss construction, the drawings of construction sites, product specifications and materials. Engineering sections provide scheme water and sewerage systems, electrical, heating and ventilation. Each section includes: general explanation of the calculations of floor plans of the scheme of systems specification of the equipment specification and materials. Having the working draft, the customer makes out "Passport Project" containing the necessary documents for approval by the local management of architecture and urbanism. The result of such statements is to obtain a building permit. Easy word "sketch" should not be misleading. Beautiful images - only the upper part of the iceberg. In fact, preliminary design - this is the same source of all solutions, as well as "normal." He is exactly the same way is the basis for the development of working drawings and cost estimates, and therefore to treat it is no less cherished. The main difference - composition: conceptual design can be depleted short list of documents. This explanatory memorandum (concept), the overall look of the house, thumbnails of all the facades, sections, roof plan, floor plans, as well - the general and contingency plans for the site. Attempts to "draw a house, not giving the customer the above site plan, we can and must stop - at the" big "architecture, so no one does, and not without reason. The cost of preliminary design is 15-25% of the total cost of design work, and if the architect is unprofitable to engage in such order, he must give up and not skive. In our situation, to conclude a separate agreement on the preliminary design is almost always useful: if cooperation has developed, it can continue and develop, and if not - quietly retire and enter into a contract elsewhere. By the way, an architect who got our carping, too, has such an opportunity, so that the design phase - a mutually beneficial deterrent. Generally, a contract, as bargain - a bargain, since saves time and nerves. Arguments from the series "just does not foresee" can be put to rest once: it is better to fix at least the fact that it is absolutely clear than to be doomed to complete uncertainty. Moreover, since domestic terminology understandable only to the end of Writers building regulations, the agreement - the only document that can clearly identify that the customer receives the output. Mere mortals often think that "real" project from the conceptual differ by the presence of technical documentation and drawings. It's not quite true: the project involves detailed study of the future house, including - of all the elements, as well as free-standing buildings, such as a garage, a gazebo and even a fence. In practice, it does include the working documents and estimates, but the architectural components are also supplemented and extended. Of course, if the contract referred to, for example, a patio, then the budget is tailored to this building, and architect fees will automatically increase. But architects are fighting for the integrity of the project is not for selfish reasons: they do not want to see through suffering object was marred unskilled "finishing touch". If funds permit, to go meet the creators. Otherwise, you can refuse or agree that "small things" will be designed later formalized as a separate agreement. The inevitability of supervision May faithful steps 1. Prepare terms of reference, including site characteristics and your requirements for a future building: the number of floors and total area to aesthetic preferences. 2. Make a full and detailed agreement on the project with an architect, even if you order a preliminary design. 3. Include in contract drafting all the buildings on the site. 4. Include in the contract cost consultancy services of an architect. 5. Document all changes and additions that occur after the conclusion of the contract. Outside our homeland, after receiving a set of project documents client architect shakes his hand and passes the paper to builders. In the area of ??private housing construction supervision minimized: first, the draft does not list the materials "in general, and their very specific brand or features. Step left - step right is a change project, which must be documented and endorsing a designer. Do not do - blame yourself: the responsibility to him is lifted and shifted to the fragile shoulders of the future homeowner. And secondly, consulting services in advance are included in the basic contract, registered and paid for separately. And, of course, the construction of luxury villas run by management companies. Not that we have our good builders are able to work only with certain materials, and the bad - can not with any. However, even solid firms hire subcontractors who do not always shine qualifications. Independently control all of this "pyramid" in the absence of professional scholarship is extremely difficult. Therefore, even well made and detailed project requires the supervision of the architect and designer. They usually pay for the exit to the platform (in capitals - not less than 1500 rubles, in the province - in 2 times less) in advance about mentioning the number of "missions". Or agree on the monthly fee, which is in Moscow and St. Petersburg averaging reduces to 30 000 rubles, while the rest of Russia modestly. The paradox is that, began to speak on this topic architects, while the main interested party here, quite the customer. Another thing is that he often finds the need for supervision at the last moment: even if a formal contract had been corresponding line there, as it was led, was absent. In general, the client - it does not rank, but rather, post, and an individual project - the goods over which the average Russian has to work together with the architect. Perhaps, this fact does not cause us much enthusiasm, but have nowhere to go: in the end, the doctors and lawyers, we resignedly spend not only money but also time. And the house - it all his life