Following the severe hail storms several years ago, a real tragedy occurred – many homeowners, who had hail-damaged roofs repaired, got a whole lot less than they paid for, and were often left holding the bag. It was a tragedy, because in every case, it could have been prevented by having the work supervised by a professional. Whether it's repairing a roof, putting on siding, rebuilding a porch or shoring up a foundation, increasingly homeowners find it is a wise investment to purchase one or two hours of consultation time with a professional architect.

An architect can overlook the plans and materials, monitor the work in progress and do a final inspection to assure the best possible results prior to final payment. Architects have an in-depth knowledge about the newest materials, and most effective methods. We can quickly provide valuable advice as to options, costs and on avoiding possible pitfalls, because these are subjects with which we deal daily.

A homeowner can tap into this wealth of information and experience for a predetermined fee, which is usually nominal in comparison to the expense of labor and materials of even the simplest of projects. And, it's a real bargain when one considers the costly mistakes it could prevent. So the next time you embark on a home improvement project, know that there is no need to put yourself at the mercy of the unknown or to put your investment at needless risk, call a design professional.