There were two separate contracts with the design build team. I only signed one for the design. I think I had them modify the design contract not to include final construction plans. We did not move forward to the construction plans as I opted not to go forward with them. All I got from them was a few 8x11 sheets of papers with sketches for the design plan, most of which were my idea as to changes I wanted to implement in the house. The quote for the build phase was very expensive. The architect has a design phase and a construction drawing phase. I am paying as we go along. I have changed course with the project from what I initially wanted to do with the design build team. I started off wanting to do a master bathroom remodel, but have decided to do a master bedroom/bathroom addition. The architect has produced large architectural drawings for every change in the design phase. We are now in the construction phase of the drawings. I took the design plans to a contractor who gave me a ball park estimate. Since it was in my budget (and I know the ctr. cannot give me a true estimate without seeing the final plans), I had the architect move forward with the contsruction plans. That is where the project is now. So far, I am much happier with the architect/ contractor route.

I found architects in my area vastly underestimate the cost to see their plans to fruition. This is why so many homes are sold with addition plans included with house purchase. I too live in a high COL area. So I worked backwards and paid contractors to look at my house, listen to rough plans and give me rough estimates. When we realized we could afford to move forward we then hired an architect for design and paid to retain their help during construction in case form did not work with my 95 year old house's functions. We then submitted our plans for actual cost bids to the GCs we liked best. The true estimates were very close in cost as my rough were. We picked our GC after all bids were looked through and signed with our chosen contractor. I then hired and ID to help with finishes and tiles. My work was building above a 1920s sunroom with full foundation below it to add a master bath. It came out to being about 650 per sq ft. with midrange fixtures and finishes as a cost reference point. I am in ct within the metro north commuting line.

Joseph, I consider replacing a toilet to be a simple job. And, the shower valve is in an opened shower wall. All you have to do is just stand there and do it. There is absolutely nothing in the way and it is a clean and pleasant place to stand while you are working. I used to have a custom window treatment business and I understand what you mean about some people underestimating what they think they want and I also would not take jobs to remake their old curtains or refit anything old to a new window. If I was to "own" the job, it had to be mine from the beginning to the end, or I would not take responsibility for it. I understand that. It was futile to explain some things to some people, such as the fact that that double ruffle around those decorator pillows was going to take more labor and more fabric than the actual pillow and that is why it was going to cost so much more. Most saw the ruffle around the pillow being secondary to the pillow. The reality is much different. If that same customer wanted to give me precut pillow pieces that they cut themselves, I would have rejected that. However, if they wanted to put in their own pillow forms or provide the lining fabric for the pillows, that would have been fine. As someone who was called in and consulted on how to make their fantasies come true, I understand your point. What they thought they wanted and the reality were not coming together. But, I do wish that I could find someone to just create a basic bathroom for me and leave the finishing work to me. I wanted them to come in and leave me with an newly installed shower with a finished wall around it, a new subfloor ready to be finished and walls that were ready to be primed and painted. I guess what I was asking for was not one that would make for a good photo shoot on their portfolio. My BIL has been a contractor and he would not take on a job unless they agreed to take it back to the studs, so to speak. I have no problem with that, but I only want it finished to a degree. My budget is limited and I am still perfectly capable of doing finishing work. I, essentially, gave up on the complete remodel of the two rooms .The result is that I am now rebuilding one of the showers myself and I am now in need of some simple plumbing. It is going quite nicely, but slowly...new shower pan, tiled shower walls, etc. But, I do want a plumber to come and replace the shower valve before the wall gets closed in, and I don't like to mess around with plumbing that runs under the basement floor. Thus, I want a guy to come and put in a new toilet down there. Those jobs should be 101 plumbing jobs. That is all I am asking for now, simple plumbing. I did the upper level bathroom a few years ago--replacing tub, surround walls, new toilet, paint, new vanity and tilled floor. It went well. I did get a plumber to install a new shower valve. He left me with capped off live plumbing before the wall was closed in. But, I am not having the same luck now with finding someone to do that simple plumbing job. Hiring a tradesman or a contractor is a pain. I have a friend who got himself certified to do his own wiring because it was just easier than hiring someone. He got an actual certification and education to do it.

In Ontario any homeowner can submit their own drawings, however, they will be reviewed by the planning department to ensure the drawings meet code. However, a professional I,e, draftsman, designer, architectural technologist etc must complete and pass exams and thus obtain a (Building code identification no) BCIN. An architect does not require a BCIN, however, they must be licensed in the province in order to have construction drawings approved. Some further explanations http://www.andythomson.ca/2016/11/15/why-a-bcin-is-not-an-architect/