Peter C. Kurth

Office of Architecture and Planning, PC, AIA

The following professional design items should be considered, and these are questions that you should be asking of us as well as other Architects.

How many different design proposals in the preliminary stage is the Architect willing to contemplate prior to working drawings without seeking additional fees? With our firm, the number is unlimited. We will continually make changes and explore new designs until the client is totally satisfied, prior to going to working drawings.

Will the principals of the firm be actively involved with the project from the inception of the design to the completion? In our case, the principal Peter C. Kurth is involved in all levels of design and design development, including the working drawing stage and the construction supervision.

Are the working drawings that are produced "tight" and biddable to the extent that anybody bidding the project, whether it be an Architect, Construction Manager or General Contractor can adequately not expose the client to unknowns or unforeseen extras? In our case, the plans are extremely tight so that once we go out to bid the only "unknowns" are the depth of the well, and if there is any blasting or unforeseen subsurface conditions. Our plans are biddable with great accuracy.

Do the proposed construction documents include a detailed written specification? In our case, we supply a detailed specification listing as needed to ensure clear Project direction. This is almost as important as the drawings which are essential to insure quality control for the overall project.

Will the drawings and specifications be sufficient so that few items are listed as "allowances"? With our firm, this is the case unless the client chooses otherwise, or cannot decide on specific items at bidding time.

Is the Architect actively involved with the client? This includes taking the client to showrooms, showing them a myriad of samples in local and New York City showrooms in order to expose the client to numerous options and available technology instead of just throwing out standard building construction items? This is our firm's specialty.

Does the firm provide complete professional, structural design for the house? Do they have a Professional Engineer or do they do it in-house? We utilize an independent licensed Structural Engineer.

Does the firm provide lighting design including custom lighting, indirect lighting, recessed lighting, track lighting,etc. showing all switches, wiring and circuitry? Our firm does provide you with all lighting designs.

Would the firm be involved in all aspects of the proposed project including landscape design, interior design, landscape lighting, pool design, landscape sprinklers, etc.? Our firm provides these complete services if the client wishes us to do so.

Will your house be an original design or will it be one that will be/has been built many times in the past and future? Our designs are one of a kind and this uniqueness of design adds tremendous equity value of your custom home.