Recommendation for an Architect

dykg · 07-29-2023, 02:49 PM

I own a buildable lot in Weirs Beach area. I am looking to develop the property. I need an Architect or someone who can assist in optimizing the property. Thinking about building two small house dwellings. I am sure a builder could assist but think I need someone who can be independent and provide prudent advice.
Thanks
David

Asloren1 · 07-30-2023, 06:58 AM

If you haven’t already, you’ll want to get the property surveyed so you can determine how many structures you can fit on the land and where structures, septic, driveways, etc can go based on the NHDES and local town regulations.

Most architects won’t have that level of information or experience as they usually start with a lot layout and then design from there.

dykg · 07-30-2023, 07:51 AM

Thanks for the advice. Survey has been completed. Right, need to determine the city’s requirements and restrictions.

winni83 · 07-30-2023, 07:54 AM

Asloren is correct. Before we tore down our old house and built a new house we had the property surveyed. The survey showed the building envelope where we could build in compliance with Town and State rules and the possible location of a new well and septic. That plan was then sent to our architect in a format where he could design and locate what we wanted. It made it easy to tweak the location and design process.

ishoot308 · 07-30-2023, 07:55 AM

A local builder who has an architect that they work with could be very beneficial in many ways as opposed to contracting out separately on your own. Dan Dube of Bellawoods Builders out of Meredith is someone I have used recently who offers this service. His work is impeccable!

Good luck with your project!

Dan

John Mercier · 07-30-2023, 11:17 AM

Most of the established builders have that.
Its the details of the design that have to be changed on the fly.

Many of them will even go to Paul Palmquist to have the initial layouts done.
We make changes and adjustments from that.

TheProfessor · 07-30-2023, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

A local builder who has an architect that they work with could be very beneficial

Amen.

I designed my last house with input from builder.
5 bedroom. 2 story house.
Granite fireplace.
Home theatre/surround sound.
2 porches. One enclosed. The other outside/covered.

Not rocket science.

John Mercier · 07-30-2023, 08:47 PM

Its more of the engineering and blueprints.

The average person has trouble with the Trex Deck Design tool... so I never present them with the higher function Simpson Strong Tie Deck Design tool that I can use.

Of course, even after we have used the tool, I have found more builders than I thought existed that cannot read blueprints.

Drawing a rough layout is pretty easy. Adjusting all the various parts to meet code requirements can be a lot trickier; and engineering of a roof line can be a prelude to insanity without the engineering tools.

Asloren1 · 07-31-2023, 06:06 AM

Also, Since you’re developing a waterfront lot, you’ll need to make sure you go through the NHDES and town shoreland/wetlands permitting process, which can take some time (if you haven’t done that already).

Anything being built within 250’ of the water falls into this process.

Lots of good stuff on NHDES website to get familiar with the process.

We went through this whole process for multiple lots we developed over the past few years.

BroadHopper · 07-31-2023, 06:26 AM

A sizable number of homeowners around the Lakes Region are happy with Bensonwood Homes.

They can plan and help from start to finish, very flexible if you decide to do some finishing yourself.

http://bensonwood.com

John Mercier · 07-31-2023, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dykg

I own a buildable lot in Weirs Beach area. I am looking to develop the property. I need an Architect or someone who can assist in optimizing the property. Thinking about building two small house dwellings. I am sure a builder could assist but think I need someone who can be independent and provide prudent advice.
Thanks
David

Is the property waterfront? There seems to be some speculation in the thread.
Are you willing to pay the hourly price/set fee of an architect? Or just want to explore several different design options as to layout?
Do you have a favored style?

I have to do dozens of take-offs of formal plans each year with architects from all over. But they seem to really shine when the style of the client and their own lines up.

tis · 08-01-2023, 04:24 AM

It sounds like it's not an architect you want to "optimize" the area but a person who specializes in all the state and town rules and regulations to tell you what you can build and how to place it on the property??

John Mercier · 08-01-2023, 08:45 PM

Laconia Planning Department could do that.

Its laying out the buildings to optimize flow, views, construction cost, and timelines while maintaining the home owners' taste.

It would be interesting to see what the students at Huot would come up with.
Not so much to build themselves... but from a design perspective.

07-29-2023, 02:49 PM	#1
dykg Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Foxboro, MA Posts: 76 Thanks: 120 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Recommendation for an Architect I own a buildable lot in Weirs Beach area. I am looking to develop the property. I need an Architect or someone who can assist in optimizing the property. Thinking about building two small house dwellings. I am sure a builder could assist but think I need someone who can be independent and provide prudent advice. Thanks David

07-30-2023, 06:58 AM	#2
Asloren1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 13 Thanks: 14 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Recommend getting a survey engineer 1st If you haven’t already, you’ll want to get the property surveyed so you can determine how many structures you can fit on the land and where structures, septic, driveways, etc can go based on the NHDES and local town regulations. Most architects won’t have that level of information or experience as they usually start with a lot layout and then design from there.

07-30-2023, 07:55 AM	#5
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,932 Thanks: 2,290 Thanked 4,942 Times in 1,917 Posts	Bellawoods A local builder who has an architect that they work with could be very beneficial in many ways as opposed to contracting out separately on your own. Dan Dube of Bellawoods Builders out of Meredith is someone I have used recently who offers this service. His work is impeccable! Good luck with your project! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

07-31-2023, 06:06 AM	#9
Asloren1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 13 Thanks: 14 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Don’t forget about NHDES / Town Waterfront permitting requirements Also, Since you’re developing a waterfront lot, you’ll need to make sure you go through the NHDES and town shoreland/wetlands permitting process, which can take some time (if you haven’t done that already). Anything being built within 250’ of the water falls into this process. Lots of good stuff on NHDES website to get familiar with the process. We went through this whole process for multiple lots we developed over the past few years.

07-31-2023, 06:26 AM	#10
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Bensonwood A sizable number of homeowners around the Lakes Region are happy with Bensonwood Homes. They can plan and help from start to finish, very flexible if you decide to do some finishing yourself. http://bensonwood.com __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

07-30-2023, 07:51 AM	#3
dykg Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Foxboro, MA Posts: 76 Thanks: 120 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks for the advice. Survey has been completed. Right, need to determine the city’s requirements and restrictions.

07-30-2023, 07:54 AM	#4
winni83 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 423 Thanks: 17 Thanked 212 Times in 134 Posts	Asloren is correct. Before we tore down our old house and built a new house we had the property surveyed. The survey showed the building envelope where we could build in compliance with Town and State rules and the possible location of a new well and septic. That plan was then sent to our architect in a format where he could design and locate what we wanted. It made it easy to tweak the location and design process.

07-30-2023, 11:17 AM	#6
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 2,983 Thanks: 2 Thanked 529 Times in 435 Posts	Most of the established builders have that. Its the details of the design that have to be changed on the fly. Many of them will even go to Paul Palmquist to have the initial layouts done. We make changes and adjustments from that.

07-30-2023, 08:47 PM	#8
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 2,983 Thanks: 2 Thanked 529 Times in 435 Posts	Its more of the engineering and blueprints. The average person has trouble with the Trex Deck Design tool... so I never present them with the higher function Simpson Strong Tie Deck Design tool that I can use. Of course, even after we have used the tool, I have found more builders than I thought existed that cannot read blueprints. Drawing a rough layout is pretty easy. Adjusting all the various parts to meet code requirements can be a lot trickier; and engineering of a roof line can be a prelude to insanity without the engineering tools.

08-01-2023, 04:24 AM	#12
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,411 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	It sounds like it's not an architect you want to "optimize" the area but a person who specializes in all the state and town rules and regulations to tell you what you can build and how to place it on the property??

08-01-2023, 08:45 PM	#13
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 2,983 Thanks: 2 Thanked 529 Times in 435 Posts	Laconia Planning Department could do that. Its laying out the buildings to optimize flow, views, construction cost, and timelines while maintaining the home owners' taste. It would be interesting to see what the students at Huot would come up with. Not so much to build themselves... but from a design perspective.

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dykg (08-06-2023)