| 1. | What is the 2010 - 2011 trade show schedule for Bacon Group? |
| 2. | How much does it cost to build a new animal shelter, boarding facility, or veterinary hospital? |
| 3. | How do architects compute a design fee? |
| 4. | What services are included in the architect's design fee? |
| 5. | What are differences in design-bid-build, construction managment, and design/build methods of project delivery? |
| 6. | How are architects qualified? |
| 7. | How do I locate and work with an architect? |
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| question: | What is the 2010 - 2011 trade show schedule for Bacon Group? |
| answer: | Bacon Group, Inc. representatives will attend and/or staff our trade show exhibit at the following conferences and trade shows during 2010-2011. Check back occasionally for schedule updates or call us toll free at 1-800-961-1967.
2010
September 2010, Pet Care Services Assoc. Basic Training Workshop at the Annual Convention, Chicago. **Rick will lecture about boarding kennel design during this workshop.**
October 2010, Virginia Animal Control Assoc., Staunton, VA
October 2010, North Carolina Animal Rabies Control Assoc., Concord, NC
November, 2010, Florida Animal Control Assoc., Orlando, FL
2011
January, 2011, North American Veterinary Conference, Gaylord Palms Exhibition Center Booth #2422, Orlando, FL
March, 2011, Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, VA
May, 2011, HSUS Animal Care Expo Trade Show and the day-long shelter design workshop, Disney's Coronado Resort, Orlando. **Rick will speak at the day-long Shelter Design Workshop.**
May-June, 2011, National Animal Control Association Annual Training Conference |
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| question: | How much does it cost to build a new animal shelter, boarding facility, or veterinary hospital? |
| answer: | People outside the industry are usually surprised that animal housing facilities are an expensive building type. The cost per square foot can vary widely and is influenced by the quality of materials and systems selected. Generally speaking, the most expensive systems in these building types are the HVAC, plumbing, kenneling and caging, interior floor and wall finishes, roof structure and finishes, and exterior wall finishes.
Site costs: Every site is different and every jurisdiction has its own requirements for development and permitting. For this reason, we separate much of the site preparation costs from the per square costs below. The amount we include for site preparation would be for a site that already has roads and utilities available and does not have any unusual environmental or water management requirements.
Animal Shelters: We currently recommend using between $200 and $225 per square foot as the amount for construction of a new animal shelter building and $25 per square foot for site construction when developing a very preliminary budget. The costs can vary widely due to local labor conditions, unusual site design needs, environmental concerns, mechanical and plumbing systems for the shelter, kennel systems, and floor and wall finishes.
Boarding: For a boarding, day care, and grooming facility, we recommend using $175 per square foot and an additional $25 per square foot for the site construction. The type and configuration of animal housing (kennels vs. suites for example) and finishes are two areas that affect costs for boarding facilities.
Veterinary Hospital: For planning purposes, we suggest using between $145 - $155 /SF for construction of veterinary hospitals. Adding the same $25 /SF for site construction, as discussed above, applies.
Renovations: It is difficult to assign a per square foot cost to a renovation without having project specific information. Many buildings can be converted into animal care facilities. It is important to be aware that renovations and retrofits may cost as much, or more, than constructing a new building. Advantages, however, may be a prime location or a great deal on the property. Because renovations are not as predictable as new construction, it is hard to estimate a common cost per square foot.
Other costs, called "soft costs," not included in the per square foot amount for construction are below.
-land purchase costs
-financing costs and construction loan fees
-government fees including (but not limited to) plans review and building permit fees, development fees, connection fees, environmental and water management fees
-non-typical site preparation needs such as bringing roads and utilities to your property
-topographic survey
-geotechnical soils testing
-contractor overhead and profit
-insurance costs
-contingency (5%-10%)
-A/E design fees (9%-12%, see the next two questions)
It is certainly possible to construct an animal housing facility, especially an animal shelter or boarding facility, for less than the amounts we suggest. However, it is important to remember that when you use a lesser quality material you will likely shorten the life of that building or system and / or increase your maintenance and replacement costs. These are the kinds of decisions your architect will help you make. |
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| question: | How do architects compute a design fee? |
| answer: | Architects use several methods to compute fees including a percentage of construction cost, a per square foot cost, or by the hour. Some other factors considered when computing a fee for design services include the complexity of the building, the scope of services to be provided, and the schedule for completion.
Fees can be affected by the type of architectural firm being considered. Established firms traditionally carry business and professional liability insurance, workers compensation insurance and provide benefits, such as health insurance, to the firm's employees. |
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| question: | What services are included in the architect's design fee? |
| answer: | Architectural services are based on a Scope of Services which is a list of all the work the design team is responsible for accomplishing. If the project includes design and construction of a building, it is standard for the architect to coordinate the design team and hire the project's engineers; therefore, the fee would include the services of the architect and the structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineers. The civil engineer's and landscape architect's fees are considered extended services; discuss with your architect whether the fee you are negotiating includes these services also.
The A/E fee covers basic services that include design, completion of construction documents (used for permitting), bidding and negotiation with contractors, and construction observation. For planning purposes, we suggest you alot 9% to 12% of your construction cost for A/E fees for basic services.
Several consultants / services are not included in the A/E fee for basic services. Those include the suveyor (you'll need a boundry and topographical survey of the property), geotechnical and soils testing, traffic studies, acoustical consultants, environmental studies, color renderings, and permit expediter are a few of the other design professionals or services that may be required for the project.
Remember that design services are knowledge based professional services. Experience counts! |
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| question: | What are differences in design-bid-build, construction managment, and design/build methods of project delivery? |
| answer: | Design / bid / build project delivery method is when a project is designed by the design team and then "bid out" to contractors. The bids are reviewed and the lowest qualified bidder is selected to construct the project. The owner contracts with the design team and the construction company separately. The architect provides construction observation to assure the project is built according to the owner's wishes and the permitted plans. The architect provides guidance and responds to requests for clarification of the design intent but has no control for the ways and means of construction.
Construction management is when a general contractor (GC) is hired early in the project and he/she participates as a team member along with the owner and A/E team during the design phases. Often the GC agrees with the owner to construct the project for a negotiated amount. Construction costs can be estimated earlier in the project and the GC may suggest alternative systems and finishes to save money. Competitive bidding can still occur among sub-contractors, and the architect still provides construction observation. The owner has separate contracts with the design team and the GC.
Design / build project delivery is when a single entity is responsible for both the design and contruction of the project for a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). An advantage of this method is there is a single point of contact for the owner. A disadvantage is there are fewer checks and balances to assure that the design is being constructed according to permitted plans and the owner's wishes or design intent. |
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| question: | How are architects qualified? |
| answer: | Architects provide knowledge based professional services, like doctors, lawyers and CPAs, and are licensed individuals. They must know how to design buildings that are safe for people to occupy and inhabit. Their role is also one of coordination of other design professionals, such as mechanical or structural engineers, during the design process.
Advanced schooling for architects takes between 5 and 6 years followed by a minimum of 3 years internship working under the supervision of a registered architect. To become registered, they must pass an extensive nine-part Architectural Registration Exam and are then licensed by a state licensing board. The American Institute of Architects and many states require member, licensed architects to complete continuing education classes to maintain their licenses.
When hiring a professional services firm, it is important to consider if the firm's experience matches the type of project. Ask for a list of previous projects and references. |
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| question: | How do I locate and work with an architect? |
| answer: | The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has developed a website with specific information about the design process and how to find and work with an architect.
http://howdesignworks.aia.org |
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