Anybody ever hired an architect?

I'm still not convinced!

 

I think the scene is over.

 

Right, he just says he agrees to race again, and that's it.

 

I choose not to run. ...

Did you know the end of the episode was the first time in the series he ever broke the fourth wall? He did the Superman move with the wink.

 

I knew I should have fired a preemptive Seinfeld shot in the first post.

 

My bad, Inky.

 

Unlike George, this guy was an architect:

 

Art Vandelay was a man of many talents. He also had his own latex business, and in his spare time, was a Superior Court judge.

 

An architect is normally going to charge by the square foot, though I'm not sure it'll be easy to find one to do a garage. You'll be better off just working thru the contractor.

 

Perfect choice. Who could forget his concern about shoddy workmanship of that building he designed in A Very Brady Christmas?

 

As someone who has hired an architect...ah-ha-hem...

I would go one of a few different routes:
-Hire an architect for a few hours. They'd do a walk-thru, measure out your space and go from there. They'd then present some options you could run with. They are also acutely aware of building codes, structural engineering, that sort of thing. They know what to do and can give you options in your price range.
-Hire an architect outright for the duration of the job (most expensive).
-Whatever you do, see samples of the architect's work. Have him talk you through it.

I wouldn't hire a contractor outright. That's just asking for it. They are merely executors. DO NOT let them inflict their taste on you. That's a really big, often costly mistake.

If you have taste and want it done right, hire an architect. If you saw the before/after at my pad, you'd be surprised.

 

A garage is a relatively simple addition (no plumbing, little electrical) and an architect probably can create all the plans you need for a couple of hundred. You're going to need sealed drawings to get permits, anyway.