read lots of other blogs to get a cheer up alog the way, it really lifted me to read all these blogs. although you seem to be having a tough one so i am mostly learning from you, i.e. architect reliability.

I am very wary of french walls. i am half french, i know that they arent made to last as long as square stones and handle water poorly, and when a wall moves one way, it keeps on moving at the same rate every 10 years. so butressy supports can be necessary.

sand trenches along the edge of the house can help in case there is damp problems, spreading the weight, etc. i am just going to get a very strong walls and roof as a first project, i would be scared to adjust windows and make new windows if it is a lime and uneven stone wall. it looks very strong though, just doors windows and roof are in order! and heating and the placing the barthroom area, so you can live there and work on it.

good luck

i’m interested in big oak beams every 4 meters that i can put the smaller wood on myself. cos i dont have the budget for a full on framework contract.

regarding architect…get some prior pictures, some design plans and photos from his portfolio…

what you need for you house is moden space allocation.

Large spaces, massive dining room, big bathroom, extra bedrooms are always good, whatever!!! doesnt matter as long as u maximise space and can walk through the house comfortably, i reckon (speaking from my zero experience) . anyhow i want to get a cheap kitchen and paint the wood in transparent blue and white pastel paint with blue and white rustic tiles and lots of light to have mediterranian freshness, brown on the floor only, and i want to tile the stairs, so that when you look at them they look lovely…

i have on 35k euros for a house and renovation as my first one. -nightmare!!!! if i manage to double it then i should get teh nobel prize.

cheers for your blog, please assure the walls and roof now and imagine what spaces you want. :)

Architects are licensed professionals just like CPA’s, RN’s and MD’s (accountants, nurses, and doctors). They are liable to practice architecture in accordance State Law in the State in which they are registered. Many will try to pass themselves off as architects, but unless they have a license number, they are no more than draftsmen, modelers or simply folks that might have gone to design school or taken a few design courses.

Rule #1 Never hire anyone claiming to be an architect without asking for their state license. Just like contractors, they must provide one before doing any work.

Rule #2 Always sign a contract with your legitimate architect. This will protect you from incompetence, design errors and poor business practices. Unfortunately many architects are brilliant designers, but not very good businessmen.

Rule #3 Always have your architect provide a cost estimate with their design. This is different from a contractors cost estimate, as it will not include labor or equipment to build, but it will provide a sound board to check that the work they are providing you is not more than you can afford. It is always a good idea to have a construction cost estimate to be performed at the conclusion of the Design Development Phase. Even though it will cost you money to do it (also by Certified Cost Estimators) it will require that the architect redesign (on their own dime) the house to fit you budget (which is listed in your contract with them).

At Alpha Analysis, Inc. we do architectural planning, design and construction management for our clients. We are also expert witnesses in construction court cases and arbitration. I am not saying that unlicensed folks are worthless, but they are not professionals and thus can screw you out of your money and plans without recourse. Something to think about the next time that someone calls themselves an “architect.”

Many draftsman and modelers will claim to be “architects” online but don’t even hold a drivers license. Beware of these as they are many which may have attended some design school or took courses, but have never been eligible for or passed the ARE (Architects Registration Examination). Just think about it, would you take services from someone who claimed to be a nurse without checking to see if they were a RN.

I recommend you check the AIA (American Institute of Architects) at http://www.aia.org to see if your next “architect” is legitimate. Elance provides some verification of credentials on their site, but if you are looking for an architect, the AIA is the place you can find a real pone fide one.

I will get you through this, naturally it may cost you bucks, but honestly you’ll get every penny worth.