On today's podcast episode we have a very special guest, Enoch Sears.  Enoch Sears takes us through his journey of Architecture and how that evolved into his current area of expertise where he guides Architects into building a sustainable 'self-managed' firm.  

Enoch talks about his entrepreneurial path that he took to make himself a highly sought after architectural business expert and author of two books, "Social Media for Architects" and "The Architect's Marketing Field Guide."

Check out Enochs YouTube Channel and listen to his episode 13 Week Cash Flow Forecast for Architects. 

On today's podcast episode we are excited to have guest Larry Rhodes. Larry is a photographer and has been in business for over 40 years. Today Larry shares with us how he found photography as his calling and why Architecture Photography has become one of his favorite mediums. 

You can check out Larry's work at http://www.lsrhodes.com/HOME.html. 

On today's podcast episode we are excited to have guest Larry Rhodes. Larry is a photographer and has been in business for over 40 years. 

If you would like to join our mailing list to receive updates and more information about my new book How to Avoid Home Remodeling Hell. https://michaelsmitharchitect.com/

On today's podcast episode I am providing an updates on the podcast, my vision, and the current state of architecture during these times.  

I am so excited to announce that we are making a rebrand of the podcast. The rebrand of the podcast comes from my vision to help other architects, home owners, and consumers make the best decisions when building a new home or completing a home remodeling project. The podcast moving forward will be called "How to Avoid Home Remodeling Hell."  I look forward to sharing with you my new book that will be coming out soon as well as tips along the way to truly Avoid Home Remodeling Hell. 

If you would like to receive updates please click here  to subscribe to my newsletter.  

On todays podcast episode we are excited to have special guest Andy Pease from In Balance Green Consulting. Today we are talking about building energy efficient homes. 

We discuss some of the changes that have taken place in 2020 with Title 24/Building and energy standards. Andy provides great insite on how to build a more energy efficient home and the tools that you can use to implement that into your home.  

Andy,  both an Architect and LEED Accredited Professional, is skilled and experienced in a wide range of green building practices.

Her current focus lies in optimizing green building strategies, including LEED administration and certification services, and water conservation strategies. Bringing together integrated design, daylight and water use analysis, low impact development, energy efficiency, materials selections, and other strategies, she has helped dozens of clients through a green building process, whether their goal was to achieve LEED Certification or maximize on their building's efficiencies.

Andy is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); she is an active leader in the Central Coast Green Building Council (a merger of USGBC-C4 and SLO Green Build) and the AIA Central Coast Chapter. Andy also serves as Council Member for the City of San Luis Obispo.

If you are interested in my Free e-Book How to Avoid Home Remodeling Hell, head over to michaelsmitharchitects.com/freebook and get your copy today.

On todays episode I am interviewing Anthony Gonzales. Anthony is a mortgage broker for Guaranteed Rate. Today Anthony shares with us tips on financing home remodels and how the process works. 

Anthony has been in the real estate business for 20 years, including real estate sales and mortgage lending. 

Today we talk about not only securing financing home remodel, but also the current market in San Luis Obispo. He shares with us all of the things that people seeking financing for their home remodel should consider prior to beginning the process. 

On today's podcast we have special guest Bob Crizer, the founder of Crizer Construction. Crizer Construction has been on the forefront of the construction industry for over three decades here on the Central Coast. They have experience in alternative and green building techniques, installing renewable energy systems, creating full sets of construction plans, permitting, and most importantly facilitating a finished product that meets the needs of the client, whatever that may be.

Today Bob is talking with us about his experience building  with alternative and green building techniques including using hemp as a building product.  You can find our more about Crizer Construction and their Alternative techniques by visiting http://www.crizerconstruction.com/.

On this week's episode we sit down with Erich Schaefer. Erich is a second-generation builder and has been building in the San Luis Obispo for the past 30 years. Schaefer Custom Homes was born from a vision to provide the most seamless custom home experience possible. Unrivaled quality, luxurious design and a new benchmark for customer service are what make Schaefer Custom Homes the Central Coast's premier custom home builder.

On this episode Erich discusses how he was able to pivot his business during this time of uncertainty to ensure that his clients were cared for while still staying on target to get his projects finished. Erich goes in to depth of how building relationships with other builders, architects, and city officials has allowed him to build a successful business. 

Come find out more about how Erich's experience and values in the building community and clients has developed the customer centered culture at Schaefer Customer Homes.

For more information on Schaefer Custom Homes click here: https://www.escustomhomes.com/

On this episode of Michael Smith Architect Podcast we discuss living in our homes during quarantine. You are probably wondering what that means. Many people have started looking at their home during quarantine and looking for changes that they can make in their home to make it feel a little bigger. 

Many homes that were built 15+ years ago were designed with floor plans that are just not open. There are simple things that you can do to your home to create a more open floor plan and create a more appealing home to spend time in with your family. 

Come find out more on my new episode.

On today's podcast episode we are speaking with Josh Gillow from MasterPlan Outdoor Living

Joshua Gillow has always had incredible respect for Mother Nature and an intensity to help those around him.  These two propensities lead him to receive a degree in Architectural Design and Engineering and start his own design/manage firm, MasterPLAN Outdoor Living.  Being able to help homeowners by creating bold outdoor living spaces all over eastern Pennsylvania has been Joshua’s passion for over 20 years.  This same drive has also lead Joshua to establish the Yes Express, a carefully crafted, tested and proven sales system to help fellow landscape design/build business owners improve their client connection and closing rates, ultimately helping more people beyond his reach!  With this full-circle approach to his craft, Joshua has made it his mission to take the landscape design/build industry to a higher level!

Today we talk about outdoor living and the planning that goes into the design, the disconnect between architects and landscape designers and how planning can save the homeowner thousands of dollars. Josh walks us through how to set up a comprehensive plan that takes all aspects of the house into the planning.

Ask the Architect: Question: How long will my project take? Design, working drawings, permit approval, & construction.

Josh Gillow Contact Info

Website:https://www.mymasterplan.com/

A lot of our rules and norms seem to be shifting right now, which can be challenging for anyone who likes consistency. While so many things are in flux, however, I am happy to share the following 6 tried-and-true rules I have discovered over the past 30 years of working with clients:

1. Be clear: Be clear on your wants, needs and scope of work – this will save you time, money and stress. Unless you have unlimited funds, there will come a time when you have to compromise on your project due to finances. It will come down to your wants and needs. What do you need to remodel so it is a success in your mind?

2. Determine your budget: Of course, you know what you want to spend. However, most projects have two budgets: the first budget is what you would like to spend on home remodeling. The second number is the most pain your budget can handle and still survive the remodel. Let your team know your true budget so they can help you achieve your goals.

3. Have a contingency: A built-in contingency for your budget will help you sleep at night during the remodel. A contingency is a part of your budget, somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-10% of the total, that covers all the surprises that can happen during home remodelling. When you have a contingency built in, it makes it easier to roll with those surprises.

4. Be realistic: The more we are upfront about the numbers before a project begins, the easier the whole process is. This entails being realistic about construction costs and all fees associated with design and construction, such as the architect’s cost, planning and permit fees, school and fire fees, development impact fees and construction costs.

5. Understand the process: This also prevents surprises. There are steps to the design process (schematic design, working drawings and construction observation), permit process (initial submittal, plan check, permit approval) and construction.  Every step should be on a timeline or schedule. How a project moves through the process is a direct reflection of your team and their dedication to delivering quality services. It can cost you a lot of money to hire a team that is not dedicated to you and your schedule.

6. Establish budget, timelines and procedures: This takes all the rules above and applies them in one mega rule.  Establishing budgets, timelines (with milestones) and procedures will help you save you time, money, and stress throughout the remodeling process.