I know a draftsman who only draws by hand. There is still a distinct market out there for that service.
One architect by me still does everything by hand. Then I have to plot the house to lay it out and call him to tell him the design doesn't close. Then I have to call again to tell him the house won't fit within the setbacks.
Then he calls with modifications and asks me to plot it and see if it 'works' and what the setbacks would be.
And if it doesn't close or fit...repeat.
To me this isn't right. And I'm sorry if I'm short sighted and I understand he's older and doesn't want to learn new technology (and obv never did want to learn) but it's probably time to retire.
Nice discussion.
What i already feared for happened, he mailed me to ask for certain dimensions (there were none on the plan because i haven't detailed the plan). So i have to reopen this drawing to give him what he asks; i find this a waste of time.
When for example the height is 4,85m, i'm sure he measures on his printed pdf 5,00m. They start construction and it doesn't fit; ah the surveyor must have made a mistake. They don't have to be civil3d or revit experts but basic drawing stuff isn't too much to ask.
My personal opinion of course. Owning a business is also investing but i know the client doens't interest this, he wants everyting cheap with the danger of errors and costly solutions.
That doesnt sound like a client worth having. If you continue with said client, outline your scope up front with specific deliverables. Your not working for the architect. If the architect wants something you were not scoped to provide, don't provide it. You have to educate your client on these issues. If your client doesn't understand this then it's time for a new client.
I have encounter a few architects that haven't caused me any grief, but they are few and far between.
I have, of course, dealt with the architect that asks for a "copy of my plans". To which I'll ask, "What plans? You mean the boundary map?"
Or the architect that asks for my CAD drawings, and when I send them they say, "I can't open these. I just need the AutoCAD drawings."
Or the one that tells me that they're doing the drawings to fit the building on the site, so they want the boundary. I provide it. Then, 8 months later, when the improvement plans are completed and I'm trying to layout the building, it doesn't fit within the setbacks.
Or, my absolutely, most favorite thing, they will ask for my boundary drawing in CAD and I'll provide it. Then, I'll get their site plan back, on a different coordinate base, with my boundary line work altered, and with a building that still doesn't fit within the setbacks...
