Frequently Asked Questions
As a service based organization, we are committed to helping our community including our future clients, those who ultimately select one of our competitors, and those who do not even need an architect. We have assembled the following list of common questions frequently asked of us. Much of this information is applicable to all architecture firms, some items are specific to us.
WHAT IS ACUFORM?
Acuform is a progressive, full service architecture firm based in San Antonio. We specialize in range of commercial projects including mixed use developments, car dealerships, offices, and restaurants from 5,000 to over 200,000 square feet. We are a member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council. Acuform was formed as a Texas based limited liability company in mid-2007.
WHO ARE THE PARTNERS?
The three partners of Acuform have been working together for the past five years, and have a total of over 20 years of experience. While we are all involved throughout the project, we each have a lead role during the process. Shawn is our Design Manager; he handles the design related decisions of a project including site analysis and planning, elevations, and material selections. Aaron is our Registered Architect; he coordinates with the engineers and oversees the production of detail drawings and specifications necessary to obtain a permit and get bids from contractors. Marcus is our Construction Representative; he handles permitting, contractor evaluation, and does most of the construction observation services to ensure the project is being built to spec.
WHAT EXACTLY DOES AN ARCHITECT DO?
Architects design and oversee construction of mostly large buildings and additions. We are licensed by the state to ensure that the built environment complies with governing codes, and satisfies a variety of interests. While the design and documentation is what we specialize in, much of what we do involves the politics of appeasing concerned citizens and governing officials, researching new materials and products, determining cost effective construction methods, and complying with codes.
WHY WOULD I CHOOSE ACUFORM OVER ANOTHER ARCHITECTURE FIRM?
We are committed to a high level of customer service. Our clients benefit from having direct contact with one of the partners throughout the entire design and build process. We participate in a rigorous continuing education program which keeps us abreast of the latest materials and design strategies enabling us to develop progressive design solutions to take advantage of the latest technologies. We operate an efficient office permitting us to keep our hourly rates low and pass the savings onto our clients. We aim to develop long-term success in the construction service industry through innovative design and a high level of customer service
WHERE DID YOU GET THE NAME ACUFORM?
Acuform is derived from the words "right" and "form" and is based on the principle "Form follows function." This principle touted by Louis Sullivan (Frank Lloyd Wright's instructor) is associated with modern architecture and states that the shape and style of a building should be based upon its function. Our design solutions reflect this notion and result in clean contemporary forms.
CAN YOU DO THE DESIGN BEFORE I DECIDE TO GO WITH ACUFORM?
A large portion of our work is designing including the preliminary meetings to determine whether a project is viable. While we can offer general ideas and sometimes informal sketches during our initial consultations, we need to be compensated for our services including schematic design work whether or not the project is ultimately executed. The more services we offer for free, the more difficult it is for us to keep our rates competitive.
HOW ARE YOUR FEES CALCULATED?
Acuform believes in presenting our clients with up front, fixed-fee pricing. Our fees vary among projects relative to the type of project, complexity of design, services required, location, etc. While our fees are directly related to the number of anticipated man-hours necessary to complete the project, we have developed a system based on previous projects which when executed offers us a certain fixed expense (cost per first square foot) plus a cost per square foot rate. Beware of design firms that charge based on a percentage of construction as their interests are no longer in line with yours; their architectural fees may escalate as the construction costs increase.
CAN YOU OFFER AN HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED PROPOSAL?
No. While we sometimes extend clients hourly contracts, usually on smaller, consulting-type, projects. Our hourly rates cover our salaries, benefits, plus our administrative expenses relative to that employee; while fair to all parties the profit margin on an hourly contract is minimal. Our lump sum proposals extend these hourly rates based on a projected number of hours required to complete the job; while we might ultimately use fewer hours than projected, we assume the risk that we will exceed the number of hours allocated to a given task, and ultimately loose money. The culmination of these two arrangements results in a loose-loose situation for us; to keep our fees competitive, we cannot accept these contracts.
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A RETAINER?
We collect retainers on nearly all projects. The retainers permit us to finance our operating expenses relative to your specific projects including paying our employees, consultants, and other administrative expenses. Retainers are applied to the final invoice(s) of a contract.
HOW DO YOU BILL?
We typically invoice monthly relative to the completion of work. Payments are due within 30 days. We required accounts to be settled prior to release of signed and sealed drawings
HOW DO YOU HANDLE PROJECTS?
Larger projects are broken into five separate phases of work: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, and Construction Observation. Smaller projects are broken into three phases: Design, Documentation, and Construction. We require the Owner's written approval prior to proceeding with the subsequent phase of services.
CAN I PAY YOU WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN FUNDS?
We require payment as we proceed with services. Roughly 90% of our work is completed prior to the closing of a construction loan and since most of our fees are actually our expenses for our employees, consultants, insurance, and other expenses, we need to be paid for our services as we complete them. If you are unable or unwilling to pay for our services prior to securing a construction loan, we recommend contacting a banker for a development loan or securing investors who are willing to assist with these pre-construction expenses.
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO GET WORKING?
Prior to developing any preliminary designs or even sketches, we need a program of spaces required, a proposed construction budget, and an indication of desired finishes. We need to see the site and meet with the Owner and the end user (if different). We will ask a variety of questions to assess priority of concerns, identify preferences regarding design, circulation, routine functions, etc.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CHANGE THE PLANS?
Change is inevitable. While changes usually cost more and hold up the project, they are often necessary and best implemented as soon as possible. We always work with our clients to accommodate changes to the plans; however just like a building being constructed, it is more difficult to make changes the further along the process we are. Design changes implemented toward the end of Construction Documents will result in services already performed having to be re-done, and this will usually result in a charge for additional services.
CAN I USE THESE DESIGNS FOR ANOTHER PROJECT?
No. All drawings, documents, and specifications issued by our office are property of Acuform, LLC and permitted solely for the execution and construction of the project contracted for. Copyright laws protect our intellectual property from being used without our consent; this includes our sketches, renderings, and particularly our drawings.
We hope that this helps. Should you have any additional questions about our services, just call us at (210) 829-1600 or you can e-mail us.
As a service based organization, we are committed to helping our community including our future clients, those who ultimately select one of our competitors, and those who do not even need an architect. We have assembled the following list of common questions frequently asked of us. Much of this information is applicable to all architecture firms, some items are specific to us.
WHAT IS ACUFORM?
Acuform is a progressive, full service architecture firm based in San Antonio. We specialize in range of commercial projects including mixed use developments, car dealerships, offices, and restaurants from 5,000 to over 200,000 square feet. We are a member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council. Acuform was formed as a Texas based limited liability company in mid-2007.
WHO ARE THE PARTNERS?
The three partners of Acuform have been working together for the past five years, and have a total of over 20 years of experience. While we are all involved throughout the project, we each have a lead role during the process. Shawn is our Design Manager; he handles the design related decisions of a project including site analysis and planning, elevations, and material selections. Aaron is our Registered Architect; he coordinates with the engineers and oversees the production of detail drawings and specifications necessary to obtain a permit and get bids from contractors. Marcus is our Construction Representative; he handles permitting, contractor evaluation, and does most of the construction observation services to ensure the project is being built to spec.
WHAT EXACTLY DOES AN ARCHITECT DO?
Architects design and oversee construction of mostly large buildings and additions. We are licensed by the state to ensure that the built environment complies with governing codes, and satisfies a variety of interests. While the design and documentation is what we specialize in, much of what we do involves the politics of appeasing concerned citizens and governing officials, researching new materials and products, determining cost effective construction methods, and complying with codes.
WHY WOULD I CHOOSE ACUFORM OVER ANOTHER ARCHITECTURE FIRM?
We are committed to a high level of customer service. Our clients benefit from having direct contact with one of the partners throughout the entire design and build process. We participate in a rigorous continuing education program which keeps us abreast of the latest materials and design strategies enabling us to develop progressive design solutions to take advantage of the latest technologies. We operate an efficient office permitting us to keep our hourly rates low and pass the savings onto our clients. We aim to develop long-term success in the construction service industry through innovative design and a high level of customer service
WHERE DID YOU GET THE NAME ACUFORM?
Acuform is derived from the words "right" and "form" and is based on the principle "Form follows function." This principle touted by Louis Sullivan (Frank Lloyd Wright's instructor) is associated with modern architecture and states that the shape and style of a building should be based upon its function. Our design solutions reflect this notion and result in clean contemporary forms.
CAN YOU DO THE DESIGN BEFORE I DECIDE TO GO WITH ACUFORM?
A large portion of our work is designing including the preliminary meetings to determine whether a project is viable. While we can offer general ideas and sometimes informal sketches during our initial consultations, we need to be compensated for our services including schematic design work whether or not the project is ultimately executed. The more services we offer for free, the more difficult it is for us to keep our rates competitive.
HOW ARE YOUR FEES CALCULATED?
Acuform believes in presenting our clients with up front, fixed-fee pricing. Our fees vary among projects relative to the type of project, complexity of design, services required, location, etc. While our fees are directly related to the number of anticipated man-hours necessary to complete the project, we have developed a system based on previous projects which when executed offers us a certain fixed expense (cost per first square foot) plus a cost per square foot rate. Beware of design firms that charge based on a percentage of construction as their interests are no longer in line with yours; their architectural fees may escalate as the construction costs increase.
CAN YOU OFFER AN HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED PROPOSAL?
No. While we sometimes extend clients hourly contracts, usually on smaller, consulting-type, projects. Our hourly rates cover our salaries, benefits, plus our administrative expenses relative to that employee; while fair to all parties the profit margin on an hourly contract is minimal. Our lump sum proposals extend these hourly rates based on a projected number of hours required to complete the job; while we might ultimately use fewer hours than projected, we assume the risk that we will exceed the number of hours allocated to a given task, and ultimately loose money. The culmination of these two arrangements results in a loose-loose situation for us; to keep our fees competitive, we cannot accept these contracts.
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A RETAINER?
We collect retainers on nearly all projects. The retainers permit us to finance our operating expenses relative to your specific projects including paying our employees, consultants, and other administrative expenses. Retainers are applied to the final invoice(s) of a contract.
HOW DO YOU BILL?
We typically invoice monthly relative to the completion of work. Payments are due within 30 days. We required accounts to be settled prior to release of signed and sealed drawings
HOW DO YOU HANDLE PROJECTS?
Larger projects are broken into five separate phases of work: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, and Construction Observation. Smaller projects are broken into three phases: Design, Documentation, and Construction. We require the Owner's written approval prior to proceeding with the subsequent phase of services.
CAN I PAY YOU WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN FUNDS?
We require payment as we proceed with services. Roughly 90% of our work is completed prior to the closing of a construction loan and since most of our fees are actually our expenses for our employees, consultants, insurance, and other expenses, we need to be paid for our services as we complete them. If you are unable or unwilling to pay for our services prior to securing a construction loan, we recommend contacting a banker for a development loan or securing investors who are willing to assist with these pre-construction expenses.
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO GET WORKING?
Prior to developing any preliminary designs or even sketches, we need a program of spaces required, a proposed construction budget, and an indication of desired finishes. We need to see the site and meet with the Owner and the end user (if different). We will ask a variety of questions to assess priority of concerns, identify preferences regarding design, circulation, routine functions, etc.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CHANGE THE PLANS?
Change is inevitable. While changes usually cost more and hold up the project, they are often necessary and best implemented as soon as possible. We always work with our clients to accommodate changes to the plans; however just like a building being constructed, it is more difficult to make changes the further along the process we are. Design changes implemented toward the end of Construction Documents will result in services already performed having to be re-done, and this will usually result in a charge for additional services.
CAN I USE THESE DESIGNS FOR ANOTHER PROJECT?
No. All drawings, documents, and specifications issued by our office are property of Acuform, LLC and permitted solely for the execution and construction of the project contracted for. Copyright laws protect our intellectual property from being used without our consent; this includes our sketches, renderings, and particularly our drawings.
We hope that this helps. Should you have any additional questions about our services, just call us at (210) 829-1600 or you can e-mail us.
