Turpin Design Group, Inc.

The design process is just that, a process.  Inital designs often need to be adjusted to achieve exactly what the client is looking for and within their budget.  This is very normal.  One of my main goals is always to clearly explain the designs generated, the process of how things work and reasonable timelines for a project.  I try to guide my clients through what to expect during each phase of the process and give them the benefit of my experience.

Over 30 years of experience in architecture and construction.

Sitting Commissioner for the City of Long Beach.

In my experience, a standard pricing system rarely can be applied to remodels and additions, as the needs, wants and budgets of my clients vary greatly.  Also, depending upon the project, a Structural Engineer may be needed.  I can provide Structural Design for one-story residential projects, depending upon several factors dictated by whatever city or county the project is located in.  If a Structural Engineer is needed, I have several that I have worked with over the years that are economical but also very good.

My father was a General Contractor and I grew up working for him from an early age.  In 1985 I obtained my General Contractor's license and built many projects in the years following.  However, I have always enjoyed the "design-side" and so I tend to do much more design work than construction.

I have designed several projects for:

Orange County School of the Arts, Santa Ana, CA

Howard CDM, Long Beach, CA

Dream Center, Los Angeles, CA

Several auto dealerships throughout Californina.

Numerous restaurant projects throughout Southern California.

Numerous residential clients, throughout Southern California.

Obviously, price is important.  However, the advice I would give a customer is to thoroughly understand what will be included with the fee proposed.  Do not assume anything.  A pro in the business might assume that a customer understands what will be delivered to them for the fee, but a customer that's not in the business might have a different level of understanding.  The goal is that both the customer and the pro are happy at the end of the project!

Potential customers should make sure that if they are asking more than one pro for a fee quote, that all those people are quoting the same "Scope of Work".  For instance, one pro may be including structural and one not.  If that's not determined during the customer's review of the quotes, it could certainly skew the decision making process.  Things like that may seem self-evident, but just something to keep in mind.

As the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words."  A great resource for customers to convey their ideas, needs and wants to a design pro are places like Pinterest.  Start a board and share with your designer.

In most types of projects, the city or county Planning and Zoning Departments should be approached, so that what the customer wants to do can be done.  It's a good idea for the customer to approach this department prior to hiring a design professional.  This can save time and avoid misunderstandings.  A customer would want to avoid giving a retainer to a designer and find out shortly after that, that what they want to do is not allowed under the city or county Planning and Zoning ordinances.  It's a good idea for customers to approach their HOA (Home Owner's Association) early on if their home is in that type of area.