Brown Harris Stevens hosting Book Launch Event Michael McCann architect in Westchester, Architects in the Hamptons

Houses in the Hamptons, NY Daily News Hot Hamptons Homes

HouseHampton is now available in all BookHamptons (Southhampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Black Cat Books Bar Harbor, Book and Books WestHampton Beach, The Open book WestHampton Beach, Book Revue Huntington and borders in Bohemia. Those who had display copies sold them out and we are on second orders for most stores

products and services from McCann-craft, Inc.

architecture, architect, builder, home contractor, general contractor - products and services from McCann-craft, Inc.

Houses in the Hamptons, NY Daily News Hot Hamptons Homes

NY Daily News Hot Hamptons Homes has published pictures from the book HouseHampton 21 Houses for the 21st Century. Westchester, Fairfield, NYC and Hampton architect Michael McCann is features. The NY Daily News say that their website gets 1.4 million hits per day.

Google NY Daily News Hot Hamptons Homes.

Kitchen design in Westchester county, Architects in Westchester NY, architectural home design in Westchester

Architects in Westchester NY,Planning your renovation Michael McCann Westchester architect, architects in Westchester ny,Westchester ny architects

Those of us in business long enough to have weathered several recessions are familiar with the arguments for and against to either staying in your home and renovating to get what you want or to move to a new home to gain what you're looking for.
On one hand it is sometimes more attractive to just move and not get into the whole design and construction process. But in reality, it is probably more cost effective to stay in your current residence and address those issues you would like to have in your residence. Besides the upheaval of selling and moving, assuming that you are happy with your neighborhood, schools etc. and have the room to improve, there are many expenses to moving such as financing the new purchase, closing costs, moving expenses, redecorating every room in the new home when those rooms might be finished in your present residence and it is only the renovated space that would be affected.
If you decide that to get what you want would be accomplished by renovating your present residence,(or even if you move and your new place is still missing something that you are looking for) what to be steps you would you take to begin the process. First, you must decide what it is that you want (new kitchen, new family room, additional bedrooms, master bedroom suite, etc.)You must also decide what your design style is. Do you like colonial architecture, tradition detailing, contemporary lines? Next, you must find out what can be construction wise to your residence. Do you have the space on your property to expand? What are the setback requirements in your neighborhood (how close to the lot line can you build)? To answer your first questions to see what's possible both physically and for your pocketbook, you need to find an architect.
Most towns and state building codes require an architect's plans for any renovation involving structural changes to your home. In some states like New York, any changes, such as renovating a bathroom, need plans filed with the local building department and the issuance of a building permit showing how the changes will be done under the rules in the building code.
How do you find an architect? These days most people are turning to the internet first to get some ideas. Many architects now have websites which display their portfolios with pictures. Do you like the style of the architect as portrayed on their sites? Each architect has a particular style. Some are only contemporary designers, some have worked primarily on commercial projects, some have no work to show that reflects what you like in a home. Your home is one of the sacred spaces in your life and when done must be a place where you retreat to and recharge. Once you see the kind of work that the architect has done that you like, you need to schedule a meeting and get a feel for this professional. You will be involved on a very personal basis with this person over many months and there has to be a good level of comfort between the architect and the clients. Is the architect a good listener? You have conveyed what you are looking for - does the architect seem to understand and ask the appropriate questions to reflect your needs, or are they pushing their own vision or agenda. Listening to you is extremely important since the architect must then translate your requests into a plan that works for you and your family.
Getting references should be the next step in choosing an architect and visiting several projects goes along with that. Take the time to speak to their clients and ask if you got what you first set out to accomplish with your renovation. Again, did the architect listen carefully to your criteria? Did the architect design within your budget? Anyone can give you a grand design, but you need to be able to afford it. The architect should have a good grasp of construction costs. See what the references have to tell you and look at their projects.
Questions to ask about the Architect:Was the architect good to work with? Did the architect design a project close to your budget? Did the architect fulfill your requirements? Did the architect work well with the Contractor? At what point are you left on your own? Does the architect stay with you until the project is complete or do you have to then deal yourself with the contractor without input from the architect? Many people like the design build concept and the architect is also the builder and therefore has intimate knowledge of building costs since they not only spec the materials, but also buy them and pay for them and know currently what electricians, plumbers, framers, sheetrockers, roofers, excavators, finished carpenters are charging these days. Most architects will not truly understand these costs and therefore a design builder might have a much more realistic cost analysis of your project.
It is most important for you to visit some projects completed by the architect and talk to past clients. It will help greatly in picking the correct architect for your project.

Westchester NY architect Michael McCann in book about Hamptons.

Michael McCann Westchester NY architect also practicing in Fairfield county and the Hampsons will be in HouseHampton 21 Houses for the 21st Century.

The book will be able to be purchased in Westchester NY at the following bookstores starting the Fall, 2010:

Andersons Bookstore in Larchmont on Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont NY

Womraths Bookstore in Bronxville, NY on Ponfield Road, Bronxville NY

Michael McCann Westchester architect, architects in Westchester ny on Marvin Windows

Westchester NY architect Michael McCann, AIA has designed many projects specifying Marvin Wsindows in various application. An architect who is a fan of traditional architecture, McCann originally used Marvin Windows because of their construction, namely Marvin Window's use of true divided lights. Marvin Windows can be purchased at Interstate Lumber in Greenwich, Ct.

Marvin Windows has the traditional details favored by Westchester architect Michael McCann. See his portfolio at www.mccann-craftinc. Marvin Windows also offer a good option for the architect looking for a custom window, especially in a renovation where a non-custom window may not fit the opening in the existing home. In addition, Marvin Windows are stocked at Interstate Lumber where the sales staff has been extremely helpful in obtaining the windows Westchester architect Michael McCann orders when he is also the builder. Marvin Windows incorporate features such as ease of operation and installation, features that Westchester architect Michael McCann finds very attractive for his clients.

Westchester architects,Home renovation and remodeling in Westchester,Building in a Flood Plain, FEMA rules and Westchester architect Michael McCann

Westchester architects face many challenges in trying to help clients modify homes in an area designated as a flood plain by FEMA and insurance companies. If a house is determined to be located in a flood plain, the owner is restricted to 50% of the value of the house or less as to the amount of money that can be spent on a renovation or remodeling. First the owner must determine the value of the house excluding the value of the land. That number must be arrived at independently by some sort of appraisal. Finding an appraiser willing to determine the value of the house only without the land is not easy in Westchester county. Very often vacant land nearby is used as a guide, but that value might approximate the value of the house and land together. If that is the case, once the value of the land is subtracted from the value of the land and house together, the house can come up with a very low value, thereby leaving not much dollar room to renovate the house.

For example, several towns have widespread flood plain designation, especially in Westchester county. If a home is purchased within that designated area, the owner purchasing or living in the house has restricted options as to how much work can be done. On a home worth $300K with out the land, that only leaves $150K that can be spent renovating the home. In Westchester county a home in battered condition purchased with the idea of fixing it up, $150 K does not go a long way, especially when you throw in a roof, a kitchen, siding and a couple of bathrooms. The Westchesterarchitect then is faced with finding other options so that the homeowner can make the required modifications.

One such option is to raise the house up above the FEMA level of flood stage level of 12 feet. Once the house is raised, the 50% rule is no longer the determinant as to what amount can be spent. This means that any area below now as a basement must be considered only for storage and not for staging any utilities (heat, A/C, electrical) or living space. And raising the house up also is constrained by the number of stories allowed in an area by zone laws. An architect in Westchester who has been through this process is essential before considering renovating a home in a flood plain area as the renovation might not be possible or might require that the home be raised up. This is especially true for anyone looking to purchase a home in Westchester county located in a flood plain. These flood plain rules are national.