Architect Fred M Fargotstein

We contacted Fred after we bought a house and we wanted to consult about some renovations (large and small) we had in mind for over the next few years. He does a verbal consultation, meaning he goes through the house with you and talks about what might or might not work, and offers some of his own ideas. We chose him based on his award-winning designs, which bring together an old house with modern renovations (our house is 1929). From the beginning, I appreciated Fred's forthrightness in terms of what he would or wouldn't do. Fred is extremely conscientious and I felt we got our money's worth in terms of thinking through what was doable (an addition at some point) and what was more expensive than we thought (a third floor bathroom and dormer). We were disappointed that he was too busy to take on a smaller project that we are ready to do (a powder room), but again, he was forthright about his schedule and work priorities at this time. We would use him in the future for a larger project.

My intention for this consultation was to attempt to organize the projects I wanted to complete on and in my home. I felt that nothing was flowing properly and I was piecing the projects together. It didn't feel as though I had everything organized with respect to what order the work should be done. Mr. Fargotstein was very prompt. I was able to, step by step,, relay to him what I wanted, from the outside to the inside. He gave me a lot of ideas for keeping the integrity of an older home. I was encouraged to even try a few small projects myself. It was a good experience and this was just phase one. I am excited to be doing my future projects with him.

We were debating how to renovate our house to suit our needs and invited Fred to evaluate our situation. He was very professional, prompt, patient and honest. He gave recommendations and ideas to consider, which helped to change our perspective and narrow our focus. The straightforward opinions of what could and should be done to our house were really helpful. He also described the process by which he (as the architect) would work with the general contractor and us (the home owners) throughout a project, by describing the deliverables produced at each stage.

Mr Fargotstein was prompt, friendly, professional, and had lots of insight and ideas about our space. We had some initial ideas that we discussed and he pointed out alternatives that we hadn't thought of as well. We had a good conversation about directions in which we could go and ballpark costs for same. There was no pressure, and we were very happy with the visit. In the end, we decided we couldn't do the job we wanted to do in a price range we were willing to pay, so we did not continue with the project. But we'd be happy to call him in again for a future project.

I had him look at an old house that I bought. I am doing some renovation and wanted to work with a restoration architect to respect the integrity of the architecture as well as make it more liveable for my needs. Fred Fargotstein, Architect was on time for our appointment, and comported himself professionally. He seemed to be cooking up a great many ideas in his head for ways to enhance the house. While I am clear that Mr. Fargotstein is very good at what he does, I chose to work with a different architect. I did so because I got the feeling that the scope of the project he imagined was significantly larger, more costly and would take significantly more time than what I was planning to do. My vision was different than his and I found someone to work with that could see what I envisioned more closely. While I value the time of skilled professionals, others I have worked with on this project have cost less money and given me more to work with. He kindly loaned me a book on how to work with an architect which could be quite useful for someone taking on a major architectural endeavor.

They came out and we went over some of the projects. They were definitely responsive and definitely interested. They charge hourly and then they charge a percentage of the contracting price. We probably will use them.

Best money I have ever spent. Fred saved us at least $100,000.00 with his ideas, and he was very friendly to boot! We will consult him again. He gets our highest rating.

We purchased a 90 year-old house that had been "modernized" with a rear porch addition and a variety of other features like aluminum soffit and fascia. It needed a new roof. The windows required restoration or replacement. Architectural details were hidden or painted an uninspired white. The detached garage was functional, but added nothing to the appearance of the property. We were on a tight budget and wanted someone with the right temperament, expertise and aesthetic to guide us. Fred Fargotstein was recommended by a colleague at the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh. In our initial meeting with Fred we talked about the feasibility of a multi-year project. We needed maximum quality for every dollar. He told us about himself and his work with old homes, including the fact that he lives in a vintage Sears and Roebuck Catalog bungalow. We discussed each others expectations of an architect/client relationship. Fred has more than met our needs. He provided drawings and specifications, and recommended contractors and craftsmen. He helped us choose fixtures, wood finishes and paint colors and found a local shop to refinish our original door hardware. There are too many details to list them all. As often happens with an old house, we ran into unexpected problems. Fred worked with the contractor to provide solutions. We have a warm relationship with Fred and absolutely trust him. The exterior of the house is nearly complete and the transformation has drawn raves from both neighbors and strangers passing by.