lients considering an addition or renovation to their home may take advantage of this valuable service. A design consultation gives you an architect’s expertise for limited time at a reasonable price.

What to Expect

Think of a design consultation as a house call: we visit your home, discuss and sketch possibilities, and answer basic questions about costs and construction alternatives for various home improvements. Together we can explore placement of a needed expansion, re-sculpt awkward facades, correct balance, composition, and add visual interest. We can even recommend how to avoid common mistakes made with additions and renovations.

Most conceptual possibilities are explored during the design consultation. Depending on the project’s complexity and the available documentation, some consultations may take longer.

After the consultation, a letter may document the results and conclusions of the design consultation. The design consultation is a “stand alone” service. You are not required to retain us for the duration of your particular project. In some cases, the consultation will be all the architectural services required. All drawings created during your consultation are yours to keep, share with your builder, and may also be used to guide less involved renovations. The design consultation is a stand-alone service. Subsequent architectural services, if needed, can be discussed and reviewed during or after the design consultation.

Getting The Most From Your Design Consultation

The following items will help us give you the most useful recommendations in the least amount of time. Have copies  ready before the consultation begins.

• Site Plan or Survey. This document, prepared by a Surveyor, locates your house relative to property lines, driveway, and servitudes. It is often included with your closing documents.
• Photographs of the Exterior. We frequently approximate what your additions may look like by drawing directly over a good snapshot. Take photos of the front, sides and rear of your home. Don’t tilt the camera up or down, as this distorts the image. Enlarge several copies to either 8-1/2” x 11” or to 11” x 17” on a regular copy machine.
• Subdivision restrictions (if applicable). Many subdivisions exceed the city or parish’s building requirements with restrictive covenants. These covenants can limit the materials, establish mandatory building setbacks and require approval of any plans. Look in your closing documents for these. If you aren’t sure if your subdivision has such restrictions, check with your real estate agent, closing attorney, or neighborhood association.
• Floor Plans. A copy of your home’s plans is the best record, though many older homes don’t have these. If the original plans are unavailable, check your closing documents for a plan that may have been included in the appraisal or in the description of the property.
• Your Clip File or Inspiration Board. No two homeowners prefer the same materials, colors, fixtures or appliances. To help us learn your preferences, tear out pages from favorite home improvement magazines illustrating the “feel” you want. Place a note on each, noting the items that caught your eye. One digital  alternative to paper cut-outs is the Pinterest application. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that allows you to collect and organize all of the images you find on the web. Kevin Harris Architect, LLC favors collaborative Pinterest pinboards shared between the home owner and the firm. For more information, clients are welcome to call the office  at 225-924-7459 for a brief tutorial on using this free online tool to connect and share with the firm.

What Does It Cost?

A typical design consultation takes three hours. Additional consulting time is offered at our normal hourly rates.

Travel time within Baton Rouge’s city limits is free. For locations outside this area, travel charges can be negotiated in advance. With appropriate photographs and documentation, the consultation may be conducted at our office. Many out-of-town clients have taken advantage of this option. Call for further details.

Satisfaction Assured

If you aren’t completely satisfied with the design consultation during the first hour, you may stop the consultation at that time without charge.

Scheduling the Consultation

When you’re ready to schedule your design consultation, just contact our office at (225) 924-7450. Design consultations are typically scheduled in the late afternoon. This is when there is the least risk for disturbances due to active construction.

An email from a consultation client:

Hi Kevin, Have been slow in thanking you, but the sentiment is strong nevertheless. I so very much enjoyed your consultation. It was fascinating to see you in action. It was also entirely satisfying to comprehend your solution to our problems. My mind is at peace, as the only thing we need to do now is “do it”! Every single thing about the plan works. Finally, it was good to pick up hints about the fundamentals of design:
“Let a shape be a shape.”
“Make a corner”
“Look for the paths of thrust through the house”
“You need some place for the eye to stop, in order to get a feeling of calm” etc.
I will plant an orange tree out by the new barbecue area and name it “Kevin Harris.” Thanks for everything.  I will send pictures as the changes are made.
– A.
PS  H., our youngest, immediately went to school and changed the topic of her career research paper. She says she is going to be an architect. I do believe she has many of the strengths necessary…who knows how many changes you will have inspired!