The Wealthy
A common problem for Architects dealing with residential projects. Ahh to bite the hand that feeds…
MONEY
Most that use Architectural services in a Residential capacity have money. Usually a lot of it. Hence being able to afford the 8-12% (sometimes more) premium applied to the project. Because of this, there is a tendency to “lean on” the design. It is hard to do your job when you are being leant on. It gives you a bitter taste in your mouth.
STYLE
The wealthy tend to be “stylistically” challenged. Style to them is a derivative of a trend in a magazine, or many clippings from magazines. Armed with subscriptions, these people seek a fusion Victorian, Classical, Romantic, English Garden, Modernist, Contemporary and whatever else they can find or have been told about. The Architect’s job is not to fuse, but to create a well thought out solution to a situation. What was that Architect’s fee going towards again?
LITIGIOUS
The Wealthy tend to be litigious. Threats of legal action toward the Builder make for a hard job when you are stuck as the Administrator of a contract that in most situations one party doesn’t fully understand.
GOLD TRIM
The Wealthy tend to look for the “gold trim”. The extra that the others don’t have. It may be a cantilever, it may be a shingled roof, it might actually be golden trim. Its amazing how important that first party can be. Be thorough with the snag list.
A lesson to learn from all this? Be careful, residential projects will always span a minimum of 3 years. 3 years can be a long time, depending on how old you are.
