Previously Gregory La Vardera wrote:

Previously Thomas Zdon wrote:

I'm being told by almost every local firm I speak with that a 6 figure budget is underfunded and would only cover windows and doors and plans and that they aren't interested in such a "small" project.

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<br>Man, what's with these people? I am nowhere nearby, but if you can't find a local firm to help you I'll do it, at least what I can from here..

Gregory,

Thanks for the willingness. Actually - I can quote you from one gentleman I spoke with last night for about an hour. I discussed changing the windows and what would be best - altering the doors to a more modern look. Making zero structural changes to the home. He suggested I should budget at lease 18-36k for plans - and that the work would start from there. Mind you - thats just to replace windows and doors - no windows or doors included... just to figure out a look that would do the job. In addition to this - he wasn't an AIA architect. He was a designer whose site claims you don't need "the cost" of an architect. So - I'm terrified to call actual architects because I assume their costs would be even higher just to help make decisions on windows.

I'm sure some of this relates to the attractiveness of the building boom down here - and why focus on homes when you can do condo conversions and large buildings. Plus - most contractors would prefer to work as a sub - more steady work - less hassle. And with cranes all over our skyline there is no shortage of work. I guess I'll be one of the only people I know praying for a real estate crash so all this will end and I can get some work done on my house

Its a case of supply and demand. You apparently have lots of high budget projects for the available architects and designers. So in that context they can't serve the smaller projects at lower fees unless they opt to not take the best paying work. And, well, that rarely happens.

Hi Thomas. I currently in the process of doing this to a duplex I own in Santa Rosa, CA. It is a very not descript late 60's box. With new windows, redesigned from sliders to a modern look, new doors, some great exterior window shades and new color, I am taking the worst house on the street and creating a great building. It can be done!

Previously Thomas Zdon wrote:

This is a funny post in my mind. All I want to do is alter my house just enough to give it a "modern" look update from the 1948 Miami Modern ranch style that it is. I'm being told by almost every local firm I speak with that a 6 figure budget is underfunded and would only cover windows and doors and plans and that they aren't interested in such a "small" project.

I don't know building costs in Fresno but if you're willing otto scower the internet for products, think outside the box on what you use for materials and do some of the work yourself then you might not be crazy.

I think you're a little off the mark on the square footage notion.Construction materials come in round numbers (4x8 sheet of plywood) so you might trim a foot here and a foot there and it actually will cost you the same as if you'd have left it in, except now you have less room. Most people lose their minds when the get to the construction phase and start ignoring their budget allowances. $1000's here or there ads up faster than you think.

I'm writing a story and blog for the Minneapolis Star Tribune Newspaper cover this exact idea. Can you build a modern (somewhat green in my case) house on a reasonable budget. I've set a number out there to beat which is about $25 less per sq ft. than the average home in my area but I'm hoping that I will be able to drop that to closer to $50 to $75 less.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/newhouse

I've talked to several people who I have met on Livemodern who have put their minds to doing it and got it done for way less than what people said they could do it for. My biggest tip is do your research before you do anything. You'll know what you're paying for and what you want and need. This will give you a real idea of where you'll need to "value engineer" on your project. And another big key don't cut corners on things like windows and foundation that are not easy to fix down the road.