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

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.

Architect Westchester Michael McCann Westchester Home Magazine

Westchester Home Magazine has an article in their Fall issue "10 Most Beautiful Houses in Westchester". Michael McCann's design and construction of a home in Pocantico Hills, NY was selected to me in the article.

Michael McCann, an architect practicing in Westchester, Fairfield and the Hamptons, designed a large addition on an existing house. The home had a Cotswold feel to it and Michael's addition fit seamlessly into the original house, so that it is almost impossible to tell where the old house ended and the new addition began.

Note: The actual print magazine for Westchester Home included a mistake as to the house Michael designed. It has his name next to an Adirondack style house, not the Cotswold style house in Pocantico Hills. The magazine has corrected the on line website for Westchester Home. The link for the Westchester Home Magazine issue is:
http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/Westchester-Home/Fall-2010/The-10-Most-Beautiful-Homes-in-Westchester/index.

Architect Westchester Michael McCann - Certified Aging in Place Specialist

With many people wanting to remain in their homes as they age instead of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home, there is a demand for professionals knowledgeable as an Certified Aging in Place Specialist. What is aging in place? It means being able to remain and live in your home independently, comfortably and safely. If changes are made to the home, it might extend for years the ability of the homeowner to remain in their familiar surroundings.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, "Making changes to a home so you or your loved one can live in it longer is a growing trend among Baby Boomers and their parents. Modifications can range from simple to incredibly expensive...A CAPS certified specialist can do a home assessment for you and assist you in determining your needs."

Some age in place remodeling projects can include installing grab bars in the bathroom, securing floor coverings, changing door handles, installing walk-in showers or tubs and seats, rearranging appliances for easy accessibility, replacing light wall switches, increasing doorway openings, designing ramps for entrance into the home and other projects to make the home more user friendly for the older or disabled occupant.

Michael McCann is now a Certified Aging in Place specialist and as an architect and builder make the changes necessary to keep owners in their homes longer.

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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.

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Pool house, architect Westchester County, NY, Fairfield County, Ct

East Coast Home + Design magazine is about to be published with an article regarding pools and pool houses featuring Michael McCann, architect. In addition to the pool house featured in the article, the article also includes pictures of the outdoor fireplace situated at the head of the pool. The fireplace, shown here, used fieldstone, which lent a woodsy feeling to the landscape. The pool house is in a woodland like setting. The owners had requested the addition of a fireplace to the site when planning the pool house and pool to extend the outdoor use of the area to include cool spring and fall nights.