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Giving Away Work for Free

June 13th, 2015 at 03:16 pm

I have these friends who hired an architect to draw up some plans for their house, paid him a lot of money, and were completely unsatisfied with what he came up with. I stepped in to help even though I don't do houses, mainly because they are friends and also because N has MS, so this project is not just about making their home nicer, it's about making it wheelchair accessible so that N can get around if she ever has to have the wheelchair. Right now it's leg brace and drastically reduced mobility.

They are really funny people, so we've had a lot of fun working together. Also - F is friends with their daughter I. The two of them went to preschool together, and are still friends even though they go to different schools.

The other architect failed to consider things like: existing windows (headers) that could be used for doors or openings, putting N's therapy room where there is LIGHT rather than a wall with no windows (ugh!), existing ceilings and how that would work with new rooms. He even had one scheme where he moved the kitchen to a completely new location (moving water and gas and everything else - this is slab on grade! this would mean a lot of jackhammering and cost). He also didn't give them a floor plan to show which walls come out and which are new, which means that it's impossible for a contractor give any sort of preliminary pricing.

So - I think they are really happy now! They keep emailing me to say thank you. They brought over pizza last night and desserts and we hung out while F and I and D watched the US v. Sweden match.

So I guess the work isn't free... the pizza was really good!

7 Responses to “Giving Away Work for Free ”

  1. laura/deacon's wife Says:
    1434205659


    That's just sharing your God-given gift of being able to look at things from the necessary perspective! So glad that you were able to give them practical advice!!

    My son asked me if I was interested in taking up soccer. He found my daughter's cleats (used from Lacrosse) and told me he heard there was a fun club for 40+s. Not quite sure on that, probably a lot safer than roller derby. Smile

  2. snafu Says:
    1434210571

    Thank you for your generosity and huge kindness to a friend. I very much admire your generosity. Marvellous example for F & her friend I. Obviously friend had no idea of how to set parameters for the architect hired. They presumed he'd create the most practical, cost efficient plan...ahh no.

  3. Ima saver Says:
    1434211269

    Architects are so expensive. My husband has been drawing house plans (the old fashioned way) since he waas a teenager. He always does it for free for his customers to save them money. (he is a builder)
    Thank you for such a kind offer for your friend.

  4. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1434237610

    It's amazing the architect didn't consider these things??! With your friend layout and easiness to manoeuvre is of huge importance, it should simply be common sense... So nice that you were able to be of such a big help Smile

  5. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1434241847

    Your friends are lucky to have you! Smile

  6. CB in the City Says:
    1434381217

    I guess there are lousy practitioners in every field! The other architect sounds pretty incompetent.

  7. PNW Mom Says:
    1434548630

    What a really sweet thing to do for them! Smile

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