Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: architects and developers

[Diane Simpson (coho]

I'd hire a good lawyer first. If you're going to negotiate contracts, 
you want a knowledgeable attorney overseeing that aspect of the project 
for you.

No matter what plans you make, things have a way of working out 
differently from what you had expected. Does the developer know the 
architect? Have they worked together before? What projects has the 
architect done? What projects has the developer done? Is he or she 
popular in the neighborhood or do the neighbors have a lot of 
complaints about their work? Did their projects come in on time and on 
budget? Were either of them ever sued? Why? How much real estate 
development knowledge do you have in the group? Do you know what 
questions to ask? What are you going to do if the developer bows out on 
you? How much control does the developer have over your project? Where 
is he or she going to get the money to finance the project? How much is 
the developer going to charge you? The architect? what services are 
encompassed in those fees? How well does the developer work with the 
group? With the architect? With other professionals? With city or town 
officials? Did you get references? Try to talk for at least half an 
hour with each of the references to find out the strong and weak points 
of the architect and the developer. Find out how they propose to work 
with the group; what decisions the group will have control over and 
what decisions the developer will have control over. Also, what will be 
the process for mediating disputes?

One developer we spoke to early on wouldn't even cross the river to 
work with us, claiming that "development is a local business." That 
doesn't mean you can't work with a far-flung developer but it does mean 
you'll have to have someone who knows the local political scene work 
with your group--maybe a lawyer or a permitting firm. Are you in the 
city or the country? Makes a big difference.

Hope this helps, keep us posted as your project progresses!

--Diane(:^]

JP COHOUSING  617-524-6614
P.O. BOX 420 BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS
HTTP://WWW.JPCOHOUSING.ORG
"The people who surround you define the quality of your life."
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On Friday, November 14, 2003, at 06:40 PM, Karin Landsberg wrote:

> We are getting ready to hire an architect and developer. What worked 
> for your group and what would you do differently? Any input would be 
> helpful! Also, I am particularly curious to find out the reasons 
> groups have chosen to go with local architects and developers or ones 
> who are more familiar with the particulars of creating cohousing.
>
> Thanks, Karin Landsberg
>
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