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Michael McCann architect Westchester,Architectural process with Clients,Architects Westchester, Google Maps architects Westchester

When a homeowner begins to think about making changes to their house, the prospect of where to start can be daunting. They might begin by going to a window store to get ideas or perhaps to their local town building department to see what is necessary as to filings, permits and regulations. But very often the conversations come around to the real first step, finding an architect since an architect is needed to file the building permits with the town before any construction can take place.

Like any profession, there are practitioners with varied backgrounds and experiences. If an architect specializes in high rise office buildings, that architect might not be accustomed to dealing with a factor found in residential renovations or building - that is the emotional component of talking to clients about their most sacred space, their homes. Therefore, an architect speaking to homeowners about their residences has to have a very important quality - he or she must be an excellent listener. This process is not about the architect's ego, it's about finding a solution that takes into consideration the needs and wants of the owner and their family, including financial considerations.

Therefore, the homeowner must make a time investment in the architectural process. Michael McCann architect Westchester, splits his fee into phases. The first phase is the design phase - can he solve the problems the homeowner presents. This way the homeowner has made a small investment in the design process. If the architect solves the problems presented by the homeowner, the next phase gives the homeowner an idea of cost. Since Michael McCann is both an architect and a builder, he has a very good idea of construction costs. Often an architect will throw a cost per square foot at an owner, which can be wildly different from what the actual costs truly are. By getting the homeowner a cost on an actual design early in the process the owner can then see if this project is financially viable for him or her or whether the project has to be modified to fit the client's budget. It makes no sense to over design a project outside of the owner's budget. Michael McCann AIA has found that as an architect and builder in Westchester and Fairfield, costs can vary greatly from national norms and that realistic cost estimates based on actual drawings is the most efficient way to help the client.

www.mccann-craftinc.com

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For many clients, there is nothing like the feel and look of wood and detailed wood moulding. Wood paneling's rich appearance stems from the endless patterns revealed by the wood, with each type of wood having its own characteristics. To design a room with intricate wood moulding, very often using more than one type of wood, such as oak and cherry, is like piecing together an complicated puzzle. Not only do the woods have to match and the moulding come together appropriately at various points in the room, but the architect must have a good sense of proportion for where in the room the moulding is being used. Even as to where in the house the mouldings are used, the architect must know the proper proportions - for example, using deeper moulding in the entry way or living room as opposed to the type and amount of moulding used in the bedrooms. Beams overhead must be properly sized so that the don't look out of scale, either too big or heavy or too small and delicate for the space. But the warmth that wood envokes is hard to duplicate using other materials. The house featured here, from New Canann, Ct. show the various using of wood and moulding in several different rooms, each with a distinctive style and appearance and using several different types of wood. While a much more complicated design problem for the architect as opposed to flat walls without any architectural decoration, the result can be spectacular and definitely worth the time and effort, giving the owner a space that cannot be seen in most homes.

Architect Westchester Michael McCann - AIA continuing ed credits

Attended Continuing education seminar for AIA CEU credits - hosted by Authentic Window Design and Marvin Windows. Seminar focused on window design and characteristics and how windows perform with wind, rain, air and operating force. The seminar also covered performance testing, including hurricanes and impact professional standards.
The Standards covered included material testing for temperature, UV , humidity and resistance for corrosion, especially in coastal areas like Westchester and the Hamptons where salt is an issue. Paint fading and durability were also discussed.

The presenter mentioned that any window product receiving the Hallmark Certification is an indication of the highest level of underwriters' approval. It signifies that the product has undergone an in plant third party inspection under a quality control audit. Areas of certification include for example, skylights, Florida special needs and mold. Hallmark Certification provides additional assurance of predictable performance.

Another part of the s

eminar included architectural materials standards. The presenter from Marvin Windows mentioned that some municipalities were instituting inspections for windows and doors to see that they were installed per manufacturers specifications and if they were not installed correctly, a certification of occupancy would not be issued. Building inspectors and towns are trying to prevent problems associated with improper window and door installation, such as windows/doors out of square, water leakage leading to mold problems and lack of good insulation. Therefore, the Marvin Window presenter believes that Window Installation codes are coming, making builders install windows and doors properly according to the manufacturers installation instructions. Bad installations he said can lead to mold and moisture problems.

For vinyl windows the Marvin Window presenter discussed Sill Pan flashings which direct incidental water and moisture away from the interior plane of the window so that the water drains to the exterior of the building and down to the ground. He also covered weather resistant barriers, shims and sealants. As to sealants, compatibility of adjoining materials determines what type of sealant to use, taking into account adherence and rate of expansion and contraction of materials. A good sealant will allow for at least 25 to 50 % expansion and contraction.

Architect Westchester - Fine by towns re:legalizing open building permits or obtaining Certificate of Occupancies

The fees vary greatly from town to town in Westchester when a homeowner is required to legalize an improvement that was never filed with his local building department. For example, New Rochelle charges $2000 for unfiled building permits regardless of whether or not the homeowner did the work or purchased the home with the improvement already there. Eastchester also has very stiff fees in excess of $2000. Other towns though are just happy to have the homeowner correct the situation and will charge only the regular building department fee or something like it - sometimes 2 or 3 times the fee, but only a few hundred dollars. Without having the certificate of occupancy on the improvement, the owner will have a difficult time selling the home as the title company will not want to give the prospective buyer clear title with an open CO. The real estate agent often finds out about the open CO when trying to list the house and the property card at city hall does not match what is present on the property.

Michael McCann, an architect in Westchester has spoken to over 40 real estate offices educating the staff as to the procedures regarding open CO's or unfiled building permits.

Mamaroneck House for Sale Orienta Mamaroneck, NY, 1010 Cove Road Mamaroneck, NY, architect Westchester

The house I designed at 1010 Cove Rd, Mamaroneck, NY in the Orienta section of Mamaroneck is nearing completion. Go on line and see the listing.