Working Mothers' Network - Architects

Subject: [workmom] Architects -- compiled
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 01:01:00 +0000

Architects compiled April 2005

• A friend used Dubinett Architects in Millburn at 973-467-4477 and was very happy with him. I've met with him and liked him. A realtor recommended Jerry Rispo of Dugasz & Brower at 973-763-2737 who I also liked.
• There are a few good architects around: David Rosen of the Rosen Group (lives in Short Hills, office in Maplewood) is very good. Not inexpensive. Free consultations.

  John James is, I believe, the most expensive architect in the area. Very good, very high end. I believe his initial consultation is no charge.

  Dianne Hoffmann of Hoffmann Architects also has a very good reputation. I think she now charges for consultations, but you'd have to ask. I think she's in Summit/not sure.

  Tim Klesse and Tom Baio are less expensive than the three mentioned above, both do free consultations. Tim has done work on tons of houses in Short Hills. His reputation is pretty straightforward, I don't think anyone would call him a genius, but he does the job. Can't say much about Tom Baio (even though I worked with him). He was good, creative, not very expensive, perpetually a little behind schedule (don't know how the others are on sticking to schedules), but a sweetheart of a guy.

• I did not have a good experience with Al Bol. He didn't tell me that he charged a consultation fee and came to my house and spoke with me for 15 minutes. Then he told me that I owed him $150. I refused to pay the fee and after he realized that I wasn't going to relent, he agreed to waive the fee. A friend of mine did not have a good experience with him as well. He designed an entrance into a room going through a closet. When the contractor said it was insane and made changes to the design, Al charged her for a redesign.
• We like Al Bol (his office is on Springfield Ave, Berkeley Hts). For about $200, he comes out reviews the project with you--gives you his opinions. From there you can decide if he is the one for you. We have found him to be honest and responsive. We were really pleased with the end result.
• I worked with Tom Baio and we are very happy with his plans.
• I used Tom Baio on a project recently and would not recommend him.
• Tom Baio added our master bedroom and more to our house. He's got a great eye and is there watching over the project from beginning to end. I've seen other projects of his and he does great renovations! Here is his info:

   
  Thomas Baio, Architect
  Tom Baio                                    Ph:  732-603-2415
  505 Main St, 2nd Flr, Metuchen, NJ          Fax:  732-603-2418
  www.thomasbaioarchitect.com
  

• Here are some other local architects that you should give a look into. They all have great reputations and are well connected in town:

   
  Hoffman Architects 
  Diana Hoffman                                      Ph:  908-277-4300
  61 DeForest Ave, Summit, NJ                Fax:  908-277-0476
  www.hoffmanarchitectsinc.com 
   
  James Weill & Associates
  Jim Weill                                              Ph:  973-467-4075
  387 Millburn Ave, Millburn, NJ                Fax:  973-912-0531
  www.jwaarch.com 
   
  The Rosen Group
  David Rosen                                         Ph:  908-273-6565
  16 Maple St, Summit, NJ                      Fax:  908-273-1248
  www.rosengroup.net 
  

• We used Don Fiore, of Heintz and Fiore, for our major renovation. He was great, and more reasonably priced than the other architect (Rosen Group) we talked to. One of the key advantages of using Don is that he is right in town, and knows all of the people and the process for the permits, variances, etc. It definitely helped things go more smoothly. His number is 973-467-1240.
• Friends of mine have been happy with both Heintz and Fiore and David Rosen Group
• I chose Tom Baio. He is amazingly creative and talented. His business side is lacking. The office was slow to respond & often omitted changes that were previously made. I loved the final product, even though it was more tedious than it needed be. In the final analysis, I would use him again. Jon Rosen I hear is also good. I have heard countless negatives about Klesse (despite his reputation).
• We found Diana Hoffman really annoying--we told her specifically what we did NOT want (in our case, it was that we wanted our kitchen and family room to remain separate rooms), and she came back with drawings showing a big divided kitchen-and-family-room suite--just the opposite of what we'd said!
• Everyone I know who's used David Rosen has liked him.
• Richard Gascoyne & Associates, 973.762.4418. He has done a number of additions in the Millburn/Short Hills area (including mine, old historic home in historic part of Short Hills).
• We are currently working with Danial Dubinett, and he has been wonderful. We are getting a completely new kitchen and putting in a mudroom. Danny really listened to our needs and has been supportive throughout the whole process. He is also quite creative. I recommend him highly.
  His # is 973-467-4477.