We’ve all been to COSTCO and worked our way down the main aisle sampling pizza rolls, pudding and pomegranate juice. Sometime I feel guilty making a meal of these offerings, but I remind myself that the manufacturers willing do this because it results in higher sales.
Architects frequently get asked to provide services for free and, like those manufacturers of mini hot dogs, we are generally happy to do so. Reasons for giving away the fruit of our experience, training and talent include:
Gratitude for a long-term relationship – If we have done several projects for you, it’s probably because the relationship has been mutually beneficial. For the sake of continuing that relationship we will gladly help you:
- prepare a presentation to your board
- estimate the cost of a project so you can make a budget request, or
- do a quick zoning analysis so you can make an offer on a piece of property
To help you see the forest for the trees – If you’re managing a campus full of buildings or a facility that is busy 24/7 you may not be able to see beyond the crisis at hand. We can bring “fresh eyes” to your situation and quickly spot a simple renovation or addition that you hadn’t considered that will yield big returns for small costs.
The risk justifies the reward – Many of our commercial clients risk their time and money to make projects happen. We’ll gladly share in that risk if the reward on the back-end of the project is proportional.
You are doing a good thing – Social service agencies and community-care groups often have critical facility needs and few resources to address them. We don’t mind helping with occupancy changes, addressing code violations or helping you get permits for building projects in the name of helping you serve your community.
So, go ahead, contact us at Blue Ridge Architects and ask for the freebie. If we can help, we will do so gladly. If we can’t, we’ll either suggest other resources or respectfully explain why.
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