Session 4: Building the Right Team — Architects and Builders Who Understand Recovery

Description

The people you hire can shape your entire rebuilding experience. This session helps you choose the right professionals: architects, builders, and others who understand post-fire recovery and know how to build efficiently and with integrity.

You’ll learn what to look for, what to ask before hiring, and how to make sure everyone on your team understands your goals, your budget, and your timeline. You’ll leave ready to build with professionals you can trust.

Speakers:

• Mackenzie Champlin, Foothill Catalog Foundation

• Devang Shah, Genesis Builders

• Amy Christopherson Bolton, Christopherson Builders

Session Highlights & Timestamps

1. Mackenzie Champlin, Foothill Catalog Foundation

• [02:58 - 03:07] Architect's Role: In custom projects, the architect is the project driver, manager, budget/scope planner, and county liaison. A traditional custom project takes 1-3 years from start to finish.

• [03:08 - 03:19] Design Fees: Typical architectural design fees range from 7 to 15% of the construction budget, covering 6-12 months of design across multiple phases.

• [03:23 - 03:42] Foothill Catalog (Pre-Designed): Offers pre-designed solutions created by architects to rebuild faster, more affordably, and more resiliently. This solution shortens the design phase to 6-18 months total.

• [03:42 - 03:52] Catalog Cost: The plan licensing fee is generally $5 per square foot. This provides a fully engineered, pre-approved architectural set of drawings, structural, and Title 24 compliance.

• [03:52 - 04:03] Site Adaptation: Homeowners take the licensed plans and only need to create a single, site-specific plan (often with the builder) to position the home on their lot.

2. Devang Shah, Genesis Builders

• [04:14 - 05:03] Pre-Approved Time Savings: Pre-approved plans skip months of custom design, offering potential county approval in less than 30 days versus 7 months to over a year for custom designs.

• [05:03 - 05:32] Risk & Accountability: Using a builder's pre-approved plans ensures they are familiar with the design and accountable for its execution, which significantly reduces the risk of change orders.

• [05:32 - 06:03] Pre-Approved vs. Prefab: Pre-approved homes are not prefab; they are built on-site like custom homes, designed to fit zoning and site needs (e.g., plans can be flipped or accommodate raised foundations).

• [06:03 - 06:40] Genesis Offerings: Genesis offers 24 pre-approved homes (six core plans) ranging from 1,250 sq. ft. to 2,200 sq. ft. in four different architectural styles.

• [06:40 - 07:49] Local Subcontractor Leverage: The company leverages local subcontractors and long-term relationships to ensure dedicated local warranty service and pass cost savings on to the homeowner.

• [08:18 - 08:35] Future-Proofing: Builders should future-proof the home (e.g., providing the correct panel/conduit to the street) to prevent costly rework if undergrounding utility lines occurs later.

3. Amy Christopherson Bolton, Christopherson Builders

• [07:49 - 08:09] Custom Build Complexity: For custom projects, clarify upfront if the builder or architect will manage the project and permitting, as this impacts the overall experience.

• [08:09 - 09:12] Builder Involvement Early: If pursuing custom design, hire a builder early to keep the design within budget before incurring significant architectural drawing fees that may result in an unbuildable or unaffordable home.

• [09:12 - 10:24] Pricing Clarity (Allowances vs. Fixed): Insist on absolute clarity on pricing. Know which items are fixed price versus allowances (an estimated number, typically used for uncertain site work/foundations, that can fluctuate).

• [10:24 - 11:36] Wary of Cheap Costs: Be wary of builders whose costs seem too cheap, as they may be omitting critical costs or lack the financial stability to complete the project, potentially leaving you with a half-built house.

• [11:59 - 13:01] Christopherson Background: The company transitioned to custom rebuilds after the 2017 Santa Rosa fires, offering survivors a trusted, established builder after widespread community destruction.

• [13:01 - 14:06] Custom Build Efficiency: They prefer the design-build model to ensure plan intimacy. They complete most custom homes in 7-10 months and recommend avoiding changes after the contracts are signed to maintain the timeline.

4. Q&A / Panel Consensus

• [14:06 - 14:58] Builder Experience: Choose a builder with extensive ground-up construction experience and avoid becoming someone's "learning curve" on your complex rebuild project.

• [14:58 - 15:40] Warranty and Accountability: A major watchout is a builder without a dedicated warranty department. Ask about post-build accountability and systems for resolving issues.

• [15:40 - 16:39] Architect Capacity: Ensure a custom architect has the capacity to dedicate time to your unique project; avoid those who seem "pressed for time" up front.

• [16:39 - 18:24] Home Hardening (WUI/IBHS): Reputable builders exceed Chapter 7A (WUI) code and aim for IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety) Gold Standards, which is critical for future insurability and rates.

• [18:24 - 20:07] Expected Site Costs: Budget for site work/debris allowances (~$65,000 minimum) and utility reconnections (allowance of ~$20,000 for utility hookups), which are subject to site-specific conditions and local utility charges.

• [20:07 - 21:18] Saving Time/Money: Saving time and money requires consistency and avoiding late changes in design and materials. If going custom, reduce allowances to the bare minimum before signing the contract.