SALA ARCHITECTS

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Sala Architects came over and we sat and talked for quite awhile. I took him down there and kinda told him some of my thought processes andwhat I wanted in the basement. He just said uh, uh. He came back up into my dining room and I said this is where everyone migrates to. I said the other area we go to is my screen porch. He said yeah " it's nice and open." He then showed me what he did for his house. At that point we were on the same page. I told him what I wanted from him was a road map of where we are going, so I don't have to do the same thing twice. I don't want to rethink areas. We were connecting there. He gave me plans for the basement bathroom and I think eventually we will work together towards the 20 year plan. Erik and I are working on a long term relationship.

Joe Metzler was highly professional, responsive, patient, and talented. He worked with me and my contractor extremely well to develop a finished project that I find delightful. One of the first things many people say when they see my new kitchen is "it looks like it's always been here" and "it fits perfectly with the rest of the house".

It was a pleasure to meet with Eric; he was able to adjust his schedule to meet mine and he was prompt. His professionalism and experience made it easy for me to convey my ideas and he had several good ideas to help my project. The only reason I didn't hire Eric was because of unexpected change in my budget.

It was so wonderful working with this architect firm. Their plan for my home (master suite) was beautiful, and they were very responsive to my needs.

I REALLY LIKED ERIC PERSONALLY, AS WELL AS HIS CREATIVE VISION FOR REMODELING SMALL, BUNGALOW SPACES. IN THE END WE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HIRING ERIC, AND THEN HANDING THE DESIGN OVER TO A BUILDER TO BUILD, AND HIRING A SMALL DESIGN/BUILD FIRM THAT COULD DO BOTH PIECES. PAYING AN ARCHITECT UP FRONT, WE THOUGHT, LIKELY WOULD COST A LITTLE MORE -- BETWEEN 8-12% OF OVERALL PROJECT COSTS, BUT MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT SAVE US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN, AND DELIVER A MORE FUNCTIONAL SPACE. MY WIFE FAVORED, AND ULTIMATELY WE OPTED FOR A DESIGN/BUILD FIRM THAT CHARGES ABOUT 5% FOR THE DESIGN PHASE. SUBSEQUENTLY WE'VE LEARNED FROM FRIENDS THAT ANOTHER OPTION IS TO DECIDE IN ADVANCE TO PAY ARCHITECTS AN UPFRONT BUDGET AND SEE HOW MANY HOURS OF WORK OR COMPLETED DRAWINGS THEY CAN GIVE YOU. IN OTHER WORDS, WE MIGHT HAVE PROPOSED TO PAY AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO 5-6% OF THE PROJECT COSTS TO SALA, AND THEN SEE HOW MUCH WORK WE COULD GET FOR IT. NOT SURE IF SALA WOULD HAVE AGREED TO THIS ARRANGEMENT.

MARCELO VALDEZ CAME UP WITH OUTSTANDING DESIGN IDEAS. WE DECIDED TO WAIT ON THE PROJECTS, BUT WE WILL GO BACK TO THEM WHEN WE GO AHEAD.

I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE DISCUSSED AT A TEAM MEETING AND ONE OF THEIR ARCHITECTS WOULD TELEPHONE ME WITHIN A WEEK. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CALL FROM THEM AND HAVE ENGAGED OTHER FIRMS TO HANDLE THE WORK.

JOE METZLER, OUR ARCHITECT WAS A FANTASTIC HELP. HE EXCELLED AT CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING. HE WAS ATTENTIVE TO OUR NEEDS AND CAME UP WITH AN EXCITING PLAN. THOUGH WE CANNOT EXECUTE THE PLAN NOW, WE WILL CALL ON JOE TO TAKE US THROUGH THE FINAL PROCESS WHEN WE DO THE PROJECT.