*The Angi rating for Architectural Service companies in Houston, TX is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Architectural Service needs.
*The HomeAdvisor rating for Architectural Service companies in Houston, TX is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Architectural Service needs.
Last update on April 28, 2025
Proudly servicing the Houston area. We offer quality custom products for residential and commercial properties. Owned and operated by William Garcia for over 30 years. Call or text (512) 669-1627 William today for any and all of your remodeling needs.
"William and his crew were great. They originally remodeled our bathroom which is beautiful. We had them come back again to some handyman work that involved repairing some wooden flooring, fixing a leaky window, and painting our house. Great work! Highly recommend!"
James L on October 2024
Proudly servicing the Houston area. We offer quality custom products for residential and commercial properties. Owned and operated by William Garcia for over 30 years. Call or text (512) 669-1627 William today for any and all of your remodeling needs.
"William and his crew were great. They originally remodeled our bathroom which is beautiful. We had them come back again to some handyman work that involved repairing some wooden flooring, fixing a leaky window, and painting our house. Great work! Highly recommend!"
James L on October 2024
Tell Projects specializes in kitchen, bath, home renovating and remodeling. We strive for expertise and nothing less of perfection. We understand that your house is your castle, and we will treat it as such. Our technique and craftsmanship, ensures that throughout the remodeling process we can't go wrong. Each team member has a unique set of skills that they bring to the table. You will never see a Tell Projects plumber working in carpentry, or an electrician laying tile. All of our employees are bonded and insured through the company so you will never have to worry about a complete stranger working on your precious abode. We take pride in our work and strive to leave every one of our clients (new and repeat) feeling not only like they have gained a new chic and renovated space to love, but that they have also gained a friendship with their new go-to contractor.
"I paid $32,062.46 upfront. Due to non-performance of duties and/or responsibilities and damages to the property, it was mutually agreed to terminate the contract with Elizabeth Meisel on 2/28/25. Zack did not follow the permitted stamped architect plans and was provided feedback. The ceiling framing was off by 4' and the kitchen framing off by appx 9". Tell was made aware and still could not follow the plans for the kitchen. The original parquet in the large closet was demolished. It is estimated $800 for materials and labor. I made numerous calls, some not returned. Many meetings. Elizabeth Meisel assured me I would not be charged for work not completed. I sent a demand letter, no response. She is not returning my calls, now. I am now forced to pay the fees associated with ownership of the property and rent as I sold property to purchase this one. I am 70 years old and am forced to go back to work full time to cover housing expenses. Now I also have attorney’s fees."
judith c on April 2025
Tell Projects specializes in kitchen, bath, home renovating and remodeling. We strive for expertise and nothing less of perfection. We understand that your house is your castle, and we will treat it as such. Our technique and craftsmanship, ensures that throughout the remodeling process we can't go wrong. Each team member has a unique set of skills that they bring to the table. You will never see a Tell Projects plumber working in carpentry, or an electrician laying tile. All of our employees are bonded and insured through the company so you will never have to worry about a complete stranger working on your precious abode. We take pride in our work and strive to leave every one of our clients (new and repeat) feeling not only like they have gained a new chic and renovated space to love, but that they have also gained a friendship with their new go-to contractor.
"I paid $32,062.46 upfront. Due to non-performance of duties and/or responsibilities and damages to the property, it was mutually agreed to terminate the contract with Elizabeth Meisel on 2/28/25. Zack did not follow the permitted stamped architect plans and was provided feedback. The ceiling framing was off by 4' and the kitchen framing off by appx 9". Tell was made aware and still could not follow the plans for the kitchen. The original parquet in the large closet was demolished. It is estimated $800 for materials and labor. I made numerous calls, some not returned. Many meetings. Elizabeth Meisel assured me I would not be charged for work not completed. I sent a demand letter, no response. She is not returning my calls, now. I am now forced to pay the fees associated with ownership of the property and rent as I sold property to purchase this one. I am 70 years old and am forced to go back to work full time to cover housing expenses. Now I also have attorney’s fees."
judith c on April 2025
2020,2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012 Super Service Award Winner in Remodeling General (and some years in New Home Construction)! Thank you for taking a look at Success Construction! We are a conscientious driven company that focuses on our customers needs and our shared environment. The homes and construction projects we build create a value that is unsurpassed by our competition. The home we build for you will be competitively priced; often has immediate equity when completed, and will save you 50% - 70% on your utility bills compared to homes built by our competitors and production builders. This equates to $100s of dollars in savings each month, as your quality home increases in value. We use only the best materials to build our home. Structurally this means your home is built to a higher standard with an outstanding warranty program and a workmanship guarantee that gives you peace of mind for years to come while you enjoy your home. However, great savings and outstanding quality wont invoke a sense of distinction without style being part of your home. We have partnered with creative architects, suppliers, and designers to make your home a visual representation of you. You have a style and sense of elegance that will be showcased by your new home. You also have a sense of community that Success Construction shares with you. When we build your new home, it will be with a sense of purpose and commitment to our environment. From recycling materials to choosing green building products, your home will be built with our earth in mind. And your commitment will continue long after your home is built with our reforestation contributions and smaller home energy consumption footprint. Value, quality, style, and conservation . Success Construction. Award winning . Additional email - greg@bawcon.com.
"Success Construction built a bedroom addition, kitchen and master bath remodel at my house and their work is exceptional. Always let me know what was going on and where we were on schedule. Highly recommend."
Rene H on September 2024
2020,2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012 Super Service Award Winner in Remodeling General (and some years in New Home Construction)! Thank you for taking a look at Success Construction! We are a conscientious driven company that focuses on our customers needs and our shared environment. The homes and construction projects we build create a value that is unsurpassed by our competition. The home we build for you will be competitively priced; often has immediate equity when completed, and will save you 50% - 70% on your utility bills compared to homes built by our competitors and production builders. This equates to $100s of dollars in savings each month, as your quality home increases in value. We use only the best materials to build our home. Structurally this means your home is built to a higher standard with an outstanding warranty program and a workmanship guarantee that gives you peace of mind for years to come while you enjoy your home. However, great savings and outstanding quality wont invoke a sense of distinction without style being part of your home. We have partnered with creative architects, suppliers, and designers to make your home a visual representation of you. You have a style and sense of elegance that will be showcased by your new home. You also have a sense of community that Success Construction shares with you. When we build your new home, it will be with a sense of purpose and commitment to our environment. From recycling materials to choosing green building products, your home will be built with our earth in mind. And your commitment will continue long after your home is built with our reforestation contributions and smaller home energy consumption footprint. Value, quality, style, and conservation . Success Construction. Award winning . Additional email - greg@bawcon.com.
"Success Construction built a bedroom addition, kitchen and master bath remodel at my house and their work is exceptional. Always let me know what was going on and where we were on schedule. Highly recommend."
Rene H on September 2024
Family owned business with over 20 years of experience handling all your Handyman jobs, paining, flooring, carpentry, etc.
"Mykola Kyva is a total professional. Returned all my calls and messages. Answered all questions. After he reviewed the work we needed done (repairs, door seals and weather stripping on our double front doors), he obtained all the necessary repair parts and completed the project on time and to our complete satisfaction. He made excellent suggestions about possible upgrades to our existing doors, and his suggestions were spot-on. He did not leave until the job site was totally cleaned and we were totally satisfied with the work. We would definitely hire Kyva Construction for any future projects that we do not feel confident handling ourselves."
ROBERT M on January 2025
Family owned business with over 20 years of experience handling all your Handyman jobs, paining, flooring, carpentry, etc.
"Mykola Kyva is a total professional. Returned all my calls and messages. Answered all questions. After he reviewed the work we needed done (repairs, door seals and weather stripping on our double front doors), he obtained all the necessary repair parts and completed the project on time and to our complete satisfaction. He made excellent suggestions about possible upgrades to our existing doors, and his suggestions were spot-on. He did not leave until the job site was totally cleaned and we were totally satisfied with the work. We would definitely hire Kyva Construction for any future projects that we do not feel confident handling ourselves."
ROBERT M on January 2025
Our business is family oriented and our staff is being with us for numerous years which builds up trust among our clientele. Payments are partial and never full amount up front, written agreements are always signed by both parties to protect mutual interests. We are your one stop shop for remodeling or new construction, when it comes to carpentry, paint, tile work, granite counter tops we are the solution. Never stop a project in progress until is finished, we show up every day until due date is met. Numerous references from long time customers. Free in home consultation and estimates with no strings attached.
"It was amazing better than I imagined it would be.. the cost quoted was fair and the service provided has made me a life long customer"
Jessie F on June 2021
Our business is family oriented and our staff is being with us for numerous years which builds up trust among our clientele. Payments are partial and never full amount up front, written agreements are always signed by both parties to protect mutual interests. We are your one stop shop for remodeling or new construction, when it comes to carpentry, paint, tile work, granite counter tops we are the solution. Never stop a project in progress until is finished, we show up every day until due date is met. Numerous references from long time customers. Free in home consultation and estimates with no strings attached.
"It was amazing better than I imagined it would be.. the cost quoted was fair and the service provided has made me a life long customer"
Jessie F on June 2021
We are a veteran-owned business. General contractor specializing in general residential remodels, room additions, patio covers, outdoor kitchens, room conversions, and new construction. We are fully insured and our work is warrantied.
"Great job."
Alex S on July 2024
We are a veteran-owned business. General contractor specializing in general residential remodels, room additions, patio covers, outdoor kitchens, room conversions, and new construction. We are fully insured and our work is warrantied.
"Great job."
Alex S on July 2024
Our firm is a dynamic provider of drafting and house plan services, dedicated to turning your visions into tangible and pleasing structures. With a commitment to excellence, we bring expertise and innovation to every project we undertake. We specialize in comprehensive drafting services tailored to meet diverse client needs. Our offering include: Design: Crafting unique and functional designs that blend creativity with practicality. Drafting Services: Precision and attention to detail in creating accurate and detailed drafts for seamless project execution. 3D Modeling: Bringing designs to life with realistic 3D models that provide a vivid preview of the final structure. Project Management: From concept to completion, we offer end-to-end project management ensuring timely and efficient delivery. Interior Design: Enhancing spaces with innovative interior designs that harmonize aesthetics and functionality. Detail Services Offered: - Building Code Compliance - Construction Documentation - Renovation and Remodeling Plans About our Team: Our team comprises draftsman and project managers, each bringing a unique skill, style and experience to the table. Collaborative teamwork and alliance is at the core of our success, ensuring a holist approach to every project. We take pride in our commitment to delivering high-quality work on every project. Our rigorous quality control measures, pays attention to client requirements, and adherence to industry standards are the cornerstones of our success. Your satisfaction is our top priority and guarantee. At Evolution Drafting, we don't design structures; we create environments that inspire and endure. Work with us and experience the art of living.
"A BUNCH OF SCAMMERS BEWARE!!! LIAR AND THIEFS I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with this company NICK the one who promised me stuff on my set of blueprints the company never did and when I told them they never held up to their agreement I was supposed to get a full set of big prints now they want to charge me extra 500 to send them when I can get it way cheaper are you ridiculous I’ve all ready paid 7000 and that I never got quoted I was quoted 4000 and then they hit me an extra 3000 grand nothing but headaches and problems with them no communication or nothing and all I got was a bunch of lies and broken promises and never knew who I was gonna speak to the next time I called my project kept getting handed off I’m hoping when I take these to my county they don’t laugh at me AND IM TALKING TO A LAWYER"
Kenneth B on April 2025
Our firm is a dynamic provider of drafting and house plan services, dedicated to turning your visions into tangible and pleasing structures. With a commitment to excellence, we bring expertise and innovation to every project we undertake. We specialize in comprehensive drafting services tailored to meet diverse client needs. Our offering include: Design: Crafting unique and functional designs that blend creativity with practicality. Drafting Services: Precision and attention to detail in creating accurate and detailed drafts for seamless project execution. 3D Modeling: Bringing designs to life with realistic 3D models that provide a vivid preview of the final structure. Project Management: From concept to completion, we offer end-to-end project management ensuring timely and efficient delivery. Interior Design: Enhancing spaces with innovative interior designs that harmonize aesthetics and functionality. Detail Services Offered: - Building Code Compliance - Construction Documentation - Renovation and Remodeling Plans About our Team: Our team comprises draftsman and project managers, each bringing a unique skill, style and experience to the table. Collaborative teamwork and alliance is at the core of our success, ensuring a holist approach to every project. We take pride in our commitment to delivering high-quality work on every project. Our rigorous quality control measures, pays attention to client requirements, and adherence to industry standards are the cornerstones of our success. Your satisfaction is our top priority and guarantee. At Evolution Drafting, we don't design structures; we create environments that inspire and endure. Work with us and experience the art of living.
"A BUNCH OF SCAMMERS BEWARE!!! LIAR AND THIEFS I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with this company NICK the one who promised me stuff on my set of blueprints the company never did and when I told them they never held up to their agreement I was supposed to get a full set of big prints now they want to charge me extra 500 to send them when I can get it way cheaper are you ridiculous I’ve all ready paid 7000 and that I never got quoted I was quoted 4000 and then they hit me an extra 3000 grand nothing but headaches and problems with them no communication or nothing and all I got was a bunch of lies and broken promises and never knew who I was gonna speak to the next time I called my project kept getting handed off I’m hoping when I take these to my county they don’t laugh at me AND IM TALKING TO A LAWYER"
Kenneth B on April 2025
MARIO SANCHEZ & ASSOCIATES CORP. is a one stop shop for Real Estate Development. Our strength is in our relationships with Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. By collaborating together we can provide a turn key development project in less time and on budget. Our services include but are not limited to: 1. FINANCING 2.LAND ACQUISITION 3.SCHEMATIC DESIGN 4.DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 5.CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS 6.PERMITS AND PROCESS 7.CONSTRUCTION
"Mario did an excellent job making a pier and beam foundation for my future home. He replied quick (during the holidays as well), and was very communicative. He worked around my budget without any issues. After many attempts of looking for someone to do this for my new home, Mario was the right man for the job. Would definitely call him again for any future projects."
Herson S on January 2025
MARIO SANCHEZ & ASSOCIATES CORP. is a one stop shop for Real Estate Development. Our strength is in our relationships with Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. By collaborating together we can provide a turn key development project in less time and on budget. Our services include but are not limited to: 1. FINANCING 2.LAND ACQUISITION 3.SCHEMATIC DESIGN 4.DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 5.CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS 6.PERMITS AND PROCESS 7.CONSTRUCTION
"Mario did an excellent job making a pier and beam foundation for my future home. He replied quick (during the holidays as well), and was very communicative. He worked around my budget without any issues. After many attempts of looking for someone to do this for my new home, Mario was the right man for the job. Would definitely call him again for any future projects."
Herson S on January 2025
All Residential/Commercial Remodeling New Builds and Construction. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"They went above and beyond what I could have expected for the remodel. They were always on time and very attentive to my requests and also brought some valuable insight to our project. I couldn't recommend them more!"
Doris D on June 2024
All Residential/Commercial Remodeling New Builds and Construction. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"They went above and beyond what I could have expected for the remodel. They were always on time and very attentive to my requests and also brought some valuable insight to our project. I couldn't recommend them more!"
Doris D on June 2024
Contact Colony Builders Inc in Houston, TX, for full home improvement services. Our company focuses on siding replacement, window replacement, patio covers, room additions and more. We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out all the services we offer below and call -or- click to schedule a free estimate today!
"Well, what can I say about Colony Builders? Well, this will be kind of long... but they get full marks from us. We were looking for an enclosed patio for our backyard that joins onto the house. Mainly due to the breaker box being outside and the royal pain of going outside in the pouring rain to flip the breakers every time the power goes off. We also wanted a nice place where we could make the area look nice with potted hanging plants and planter beds. We searched online at various sites including Amazon for what we wanted. The pricing of such a patio online was around the $5,000 range and the reviews were just awful due to the bad workmanship and lack of instructions, so it was there I decided to look up local building companies, and that's when Colony Builders popped onto my screen. We made an appointment online, and within a couple of days we were paid a visit by business owner Ali, who politely sat with us and from there we discussed our ideas of our vision of what we wanted. He worked with us and offered suggestions of his own for an enclosed patio. When we were done, he quoted the price, which was 4 times the amount of the shoddy kit patios we were researching earlier. Unfortunately it was out of our price range, so after he left, we thought about it for awhile before deciding we didn't need it enclosed. After contacting them again, Ali's nephew Mahdi came out to meet with us to discuss this different route. Mahdi is a born people-person and was wonderful to talk things through with. He was respectful and treated us like good friends instead of potential clients. He also understood perfectly of the changes we wanted and offered suggestions to help us save more money on the project. For instance, we have a concrete slab outside our back door. It is standard for townhomes in our area. We also wanted a tile floor on the patio which would be expensive. He offered the faux-tile stamping option, which was much cheaper. Basically stamping tile patterns into the freshly-laid concrete with different powdered colors to give the perfect illusion of tiles, which was perfect for us on a budget. From there we were certain we wanted to go ahead with the project. We decided on an open design patio on sturdy posts with a roof to match our existing roof tiles. All this on a new slab of concrete, much longer than the existing slab with a beautiful rustic mosaic tile-stamp pattern. They could even leave the existing slab in place. A deposit was asked upon agreement of a few thousand dollars up front. Our patio would cost $14,380 all up with no more to pay. Still more expensive than I would like but the craftmanship would be much better. They offer finance through Medallion which gave us the lowest interest rates, and we can even set up automatic payments online. We financed for 144 months to reduce the monthly payments but we have the option of paying more without penalties. Next step after our ideas were laid out was having the architect come over and draw up plans several days later. Madhi was also present for this. He literally was with us for every step of the way which was awesome. Plans were submitted to the HOA. Of course, they were rejected (I hate HOA's!). Apparently our HOA won't allow any structure to be built directly on to the house. So, ok. Mahdi came back over and we discussed further options for approval. The architect came out again... We planned it 3 feet from the wall instead, leaving a nice gap for the rain to fall through, but we'll figure something out later to stay dry. Also 4 posts instead of 2, as it was now free-standing. This time our second HOA rejection. We were getting frustrated at this point and were seriously thinking of scrapping the entire idea. The HOA's newest reason? The entire structure had to be at least 3 feet from the wall. Well, we thought it was! What they were talking about was the roof overhang, it would protrude closer than 3 feet to the wall. Once we redid the plans a 3rd time and kept the roof overhand 3 feet away from the wall, the project was finally approved. Within a few days the concrete guys came out to start the project, it was all happening now! They did a great job and had the slab laid within a day with the tile-stamp pattern already embossed into the concrete, it looked great! They also dug out the corners where the posts were to go, to 2 feet deep. They filled them with rebar and completely filled them with cement, these were for structural support to balance the posts. The second day, they power washed the new patio floor and weather-sealed it. Job done, and we were very happy with it. So were they, as they were often caught dancing away on our security cameras while they worked. They love their job also! A couple of days later, the framers arrived to start on the actual patio. Very quickly they put up our patio and roof tiles and did a great job. The posts themselves were fixed in place by hurricane straps, so it would withstand hurricane-force winds in a storm. The posts were sealed with James Hardy seal. Basically, the wood posts were encased in a super-strong material that protects it from the weather and rotting. It kind of resembles drywall, but much stronger. We were also told this in the planning stage, that we couldn't hang hooks or anything on it because it would crack the seal if we did. The builders would hang them for us using James Hardy nails and hardware. which they did with no worries. It turns out there was a slight miscommunication between us there. You can use normal screws in the wood after it has been sealed, it won't crack it, but can only use the James Hardy nails as they are stronger. They gave us some nails for future use if we want to add more hooks or a trellis. The builders did put a hole in our window screen, which we reported. Mahdi came out right away with a screen he had lying around the office to see if it would fit and replace the damaged one, which it didn't. A nice gesture. The next day the framers/builders finished the job and painted it to the colors of the house and it looked amazing! They also replaced our screen with a new one with no problems. Mahdi and Ali came out that day to see the final result and to make sure we were happy with it, which we were. Mahdi in particular was so helpful throughout this entire (ordeal) project, he was always there for questions and suggestions. He even showed us many ideas of designs for the patio and also the tile-stamp patterns. At no stage was there any doubt of where we all stood on the project, we were always on the same page at all times for every step of the way, and that was exactly what we needed, as this was our first real costly project, so many thanks to you Madhi, you made our life much easier! Your pleasant attitude, extreme patience and kind nature was so appreciated by us so much we can't express. Thank you to Ali too for making this project happen and for offering improvement suggestions along the way. To sum up, this was our first project and we are glad we chose Colony Builders, they work with you every step of the way and never once did they make us feel like they were pressuring us into "selling us something". I would highly recommend them for any project, they get top marks from us. By the way, they offer a 5 year warranty on the patio and base, then a 30 year manufacturers warranty on the roof. We can't argue with that, any hopefully will never need it. This patio is sturdy! Now, all we need is to find a good quality rain guard for the back door and breaker box... We will be using them again to build a small kitchen window box in the future, but that's another review for another day. Thanks again guys, you all did a great job! I have included some pictures of the finished patio, the progress with the concrete base, tile pattern and the color brand used."
Brett H on August 2023
Contact Colony Builders Inc in Houston, TX, for full home improvement services. Our company focuses on siding replacement, window replacement, patio covers, room additions and more. We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out all the services we offer below and call -or- click to schedule a free estimate today!
"Well, what can I say about Colony Builders? Well, this will be kind of long... but they get full marks from us. We were looking for an enclosed patio for our backyard that joins onto the house. Mainly due to the breaker box being outside and the royal pain of going outside in the pouring rain to flip the breakers every time the power goes off. We also wanted a nice place where we could make the area look nice with potted hanging plants and planter beds. We searched online at various sites including Amazon for what we wanted. The pricing of such a patio online was around the $5,000 range and the reviews were just awful due to the bad workmanship and lack of instructions, so it was there I decided to look up local building companies, and that's when Colony Builders popped onto my screen. We made an appointment online, and within a couple of days we were paid a visit by business owner Ali, who politely sat with us and from there we discussed our ideas of our vision of what we wanted. He worked with us and offered suggestions of his own for an enclosed patio. When we were done, he quoted the price, which was 4 times the amount of the shoddy kit patios we were researching earlier. Unfortunately it was out of our price range, so after he left, we thought about it for awhile before deciding we didn't need it enclosed. After contacting them again, Ali's nephew Mahdi came out to meet with us to discuss this different route. Mahdi is a born people-person and was wonderful to talk things through with. He was respectful and treated us like good friends instead of potential clients. He also understood perfectly of the changes we wanted and offered suggestions to help us save more money on the project. For instance, we have a concrete slab outside our back door. It is standard for townhomes in our area. We also wanted a tile floor on the patio which would be expensive. He offered the faux-tile stamping option, which was much cheaper. Basically stamping tile patterns into the freshly-laid concrete with different powdered colors to give the perfect illusion of tiles, which was perfect for us on a budget. From there we were certain we wanted to go ahead with the project. We decided on an open design patio on sturdy posts with a roof to match our existing roof tiles. All this on a new slab of concrete, much longer than the existing slab with a beautiful rustic mosaic tile-stamp pattern. They could even leave the existing slab in place. A deposit was asked upon agreement of a few thousand dollars up front. Our patio would cost $14,380 all up with no more to pay. Still more expensive than I would like but the craftmanship would be much better. They offer finance through Medallion which gave us the lowest interest rates, and we can even set up automatic payments online. We financed for 144 months to reduce the monthly payments but we have the option of paying more without penalties. Next step after our ideas were laid out was having the architect come over and draw up plans several days later. Madhi was also present for this. He literally was with us for every step of the way which was awesome. Plans were submitted to the HOA. Of course, they were rejected (I hate HOA's!). Apparently our HOA won't allow any structure to be built directly on to the house. So, ok. Mahdi came back over and we discussed further options for approval. The architect came out again... We planned it 3 feet from the wall instead, leaving a nice gap for the rain to fall through, but we'll figure something out later to stay dry. Also 4 posts instead of 2, as it was now free-standing. This time our second HOA rejection. We were getting frustrated at this point and were seriously thinking of scrapping the entire idea. The HOA's newest reason? The entire structure had to be at least 3 feet from the wall. Well, we thought it was! What they were talking about was the roof overhang, it would protrude closer than 3 feet to the wall. Once we redid the plans a 3rd time and kept the roof overhand 3 feet away from the wall, the project was finally approved. Within a few days the concrete guys came out to start the project, it was all happening now! They did a great job and had the slab laid within a day with the tile-stamp pattern already embossed into the concrete, it looked great! They also dug out the corners where the posts were to go, to 2 feet deep. They filled them with rebar and completely filled them with cement, these were for structural support to balance the posts. The second day, they power washed the new patio floor and weather-sealed it. Job done, and we were very happy with it. So were they, as they were often caught dancing away on our security cameras while they worked. They love their job also! A couple of days later, the framers arrived to start on the actual patio. Very quickly they put up our patio and roof tiles and did a great job. The posts themselves were fixed in place by hurricane straps, so it would withstand hurricane-force winds in a storm. The posts were sealed with James Hardy seal. Basically, the wood posts were encased in a super-strong material that protects it from the weather and rotting. It kind of resembles drywall, but much stronger. We were also told this in the planning stage, that we couldn't hang hooks or anything on it because it would crack the seal if we did. The builders would hang them for us using James Hardy nails and hardware. which they did with no worries. It turns out there was a slight miscommunication between us there. You can use normal screws in the wood after it has been sealed, it won't crack it, but can only use the James Hardy nails as they are stronger. They gave us some nails for future use if we want to add more hooks or a trellis. The builders did put a hole in our window screen, which we reported. Mahdi came out right away with a screen he had lying around the office to see if it would fit and replace the damaged one, which it didn't. A nice gesture. The next day the framers/builders finished the job and painted it to the colors of the house and it looked amazing! They also replaced our screen with a new one with no problems. Mahdi and Ali came out that day to see the final result and to make sure we were happy with it, which we were. Mahdi in particular was so helpful throughout this entire (ordeal) project, he was always there for questions and suggestions. He even showed us many ideas of designs for the patio and also the tile-stamp patterns. At no stage was there any doubt of where we all stood on the project, we were always on the same page at all times for every step of the way, and that was exactly what we needed, as this was our first real costly project, so many thanks to you Madhi, you made our life much easier! Your pleasant attitude, extreme patience and kind nature was so appreciated by us so much we can't express. Thank you to Ali too for making this project happen and for offering improvement suggestions along the way. To sum up, this was our first project and we are glad we chose Colony Builders, they work with you every step of the way and never once did they make us feel like they were pressuring us into "selling us something". I would highly recommend them for any project, they get top marks from us. By the way, they offer a 5 year warranty on the patio and base, then a 30 year manufacturers warranty on the roof. We can't argue with that, any hopefully will never need it. This patio is sturdy! Now, all we need is to find a good quality rain guard for the back door and breaker box... We will be using them again to build a small kitchen window box in the future, but that's another review for another day. Thanks again guys, you all did a great job! I have included some pictures of the finished patio, the progress with the concrete base, tile pattern and the color brand used."
Brett H on August 2023
While you might think that architects only draw blueprints for buildings, they are much more involved in the overall construction process than you might realize. While they aren’t the ones swinging the hammers, architects do the following:
Communicate with the homeowner on the project request, including assistance when exact plans aren’t known
Develop computer-aided models and blueprints of the requested design
Ensure that the design incorporates form, function, and safety features
Provide the contractor with the agreed-upon design
Supervise the general contractor and any subcontractors throughout the project
Communicate any needed changes to the project with the homeowner and draw new plans accordingly
Before settling on and hiring an architect, it’s beneficial to you as a homeowner to ask some questions to familiarize yourself with their work. After all, you wouldn’t want to spend time and resources on a professional that doesn’t specialize in exactly what you want in a house. Some questions to ask your architect include:
How do you charge for services? Is it on an hourly basis, based on square footage, or based on project size?
How do we work together to stay on budget for this project?
Do you anticipate any future challenges with this project? How are these communicated?
What is your project management style? If you are not handling the day-to-day details, who is my point of contact?
Can I see previous similar projects that you’ve completed?
Do you have any specialty experience, like working on historic homes or using sustainable building materials?
The average cost to hire an architect for your home project ranges between $2,200 and $10,500. However, depending on location and project type, you might end up paying as little as $600 or as much as $45,000 or more. For example, the average cost of hiring an architect in North Carolina is between $1,800 and $2,000, but in California, that price tag jumps to $3,600 to $15,200.
The price you pay for your architect also depends on their experience level. For example, a principal architect, the firm's owner, typically charges $150 to $250 per hour. However, an intern architect with three to five years of experience usually only charges $45 per hour.
After you’ve spoken with your contractor and agreed on a project, they’ll draw up blueprints, or plans, that the construction crew will use. The blueprint process can take between four and six months to complete. While this can seem like a long time, remember that the architect must communicate with your municipality to determine codes, communicate with you as the homeowner with any changes or adjustments, and coordinate with the construction crew.
If you simply remodel your home or add an addition, the time to draw up the plans will be shorter since fewer permits and surveys are required. Even still, it’s best to plan for a few months for the architect to complete this part of the project.
Knowing if you need an architect for your project can be tricky, especially if you've never worked with one before. In general, small remodeling projects like replacing fixtures typically don't require the expertise of an architect. However, larger projects, like moving walls or adding an addition to your home, should include an architect to ensure the project is structurally sound.