Builders and architects are changing how they work together as a team, but what about the architects and designers that do not drink the Kool Aid of the design/build process. I have been working on a $2.5 million project for the past six months and mopping up a residential designer’s mess! He designed a 10,000 s.f. home for a family that is dealing with a child and husband with Multiple Sclerosis.

The overall look of the project was well thought out but the details of how to build it were horrible. In this case, the designer and the engineer made a decision not to communicate with the builder, subcontractors and homeowner throughout the design process, which led to disaster. The foundation did not close, the garage was sited too close to the lot line making it impossible to access the garage, there were no vertical plumbing chases, bedrooms were 11×18 on the second floor and the list goes on!

The window package was another disaster. The window and door header height was to be 7′-0″. The designer wanted a 9′-0″ x 6′-0″ triple double-hung window. Nice window, but that left the window 1′-0″ off the finish floor in the master bedroom. I don’t want to bore you by going on and on with the details of the on-going problems, but once again the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Designers and architects want to do the right thing, but when it comes right down to brass tacks, their egos win out and the homeowner is left holding the bag of manure. I am tired of mopping up someone else’s mistakes and trying to make silk from a sow’s ear. Taking on a project that is clearly over your head will lead to headaches and financial chaos. Know your limitations. And please, get an egoectomy as soon as you can. The Design/Build community needs talented architects and designers to help builders and their homeowners make their visions come to life. Help them …. don’t fight them!