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Bathroom: architect versus contractor? which contractor? russ-bo 03-04-2007
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Posted by russ-bo on March 4, 2007, 9:09 am


We are new to Boston area (Newton) and have no idea where to find a
good contractor to do major overhaul of our master bathroom. It will
be doubled in size, expanded into adjacent room, all new fixtures,
tile, lighting, etc. We have a rough idea for the vision of what it
will look like but need specific design and contracting help.

Two questions:

1. Should we start with an architect, or a contractor? This will be a
relatively high-end bathroom, but I am still hoping that a good
contractor can provide the design know-how to avoid involving an
architect. House is 1890, we do not have the architectural plans.

2. Any recommendations for how to find a terrific contractor to do the
work?
specific names, or even a process we could use to find good contractor
names, would be helpful.
We are trying to avoid "throwing darts at names in the yellow pages".

Thank you.


Real Goods Solar, Inc.
Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on March 4, 2007, 9:39 am



>
> 1. Should we start with an architect, or a contractor? This will be a
> relatively high-end bathroom, but I am still hoping that a good
> contractor can provide the design know-how to avoid involving an
> architect. House is 1890, we do not have the architectural plans.
>

So, you want to put in a high end bathroom but want to cut corners to do the
job right. Contractors, designers, and architects all do different things,
but there is some overlap of expertise. Major renovation on an 1890 house
is a bit of a crap shoot anyway unless you know how it is built. Especially
critical if drain lines must be moved.


> 2. Any recommendations for how to find a terrific contractor to do the
> work?

Talk tot he neighbors. If your house is one of several of the same design
and can find a contractor that recently did a bathroom, you may be lucky.
You may find a contractor that has the expertise to do the mechanical
aspects of the job, but has really poor design taste. That is where the
architects and/or designer earns their keep.



Posted by hallerb@aol.com on March 4, 2007, 9:46 am


>
> > 1. Should we start with an architect, or a contractor? =A0This will be a
> > relatively high-end bathroom, but I am still hoping that a good
> > contractor can provide the design know-how to avoid involving an
> > architect. =A0House is 1890, we do not have the architectural plans.
>
> So, you want to put in a high end bathroom but want to cut corners to do =
the
> job right. =A0 Contractors, designers, and architects all do different th=
ings,
> but there is some overlap of expertise. =A0Major renovation on an 1890 ho=
use
> is a bit of a crap shoot anyway unless you know how it is built. =A0Espec=
ially
> critical if drain lines must be moved.
>
> > 2. Any recommendations for how to find a terrific contractor to do the
> > work?
>
> Talk tot he neighbors. =A0If your house is one of several of the same des=
ign
> and can find a contractor that recently did a bathroom, you may be lucky.
> You may find a contractor that has the expertise to do the mechanical
> aspects of the job, but has really poor design taste. =A0That is where the
> architects and/or designer earns their keep.

Silva brothers construction, the this old house people are from
boston.

I always thought it would be interesting to hire them


Posted by John Grabowski on March 4, 2007, 10:04 am



> We are new to Boston area (Newton) and have no idea where to find a
> good contractor to do major overhaul of our master bathroom. It will
> be doubled in size, expanded into adjacent room, all new fixtures,
> tile, lighting, etc. We have a rough idea for the vision of what it
> will look like but need specific design and contracting help.
>
> Two questions:
>
> 1. Should we start with an architect, or a contractor? This will be a
> relatively high-end bathroom, but I am still hoping that a good
> contractor can provide the design know-how to avoid involving an
> architect. House is 1890, we do not have the architectural plans.
>
> 2. Any recommendations for how to find a terrific contractor to do the
> work?
> specific names, or even a process we could use to find good contractor
> names, would be helpful.
> We are trying to avoid "throwing darts at names in the yellow pages".
>
> Thank you.
>


There is such a thing as design-build contracting firms. Some of them are
licensed architects that have their own construction company and some just
have an architect or designer on staff. Maybe you can try going to
showrooms and supply companies to locate some of them.


Posted by gpsman on March 4, 2007, 11:55 am


<brevity snip>
> There is such a thing as design-build contracting firms. Some of them are
> licensed architects that have their own construction company and some just
> have an architect or designer on staff. Maybe you can try going to
> showrooms and supply companies to locate some of them.

Cabinet companies often offer design services for both kitchens and
baths, sometimes there's a guy who specializes in remodels. Usually
these companies have a couple/few contractors they work with.
-----

- gpsman





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