Hey Todd,
Take what I've observed in the last 5 years with a grain of salt.
- website opener looks great. nice logo.
- website leads to ABOUT -> it can have a bit more photos. maybe an exciting intro video.
- formerly known as, concerns me, because why did you change names? did you have a law suit or bankruptcy ?
- the COVER tab up top is redundant and confusing.
- WORK shows 5 renderings, 2 real life projects.
- blog doesn't have content yet
- houzz is pro. I would save the advertising money and spend it on Google ad-clicks.
- Facebook isn't loading.
Your website is my only indirect way of learning about you, and so far its not painting a strong story. You are a licensed architect, so I'm sure you can do more variety of houses than the white ranch style. Maybe focus more on construction details, sketches, care into construction. Why would a home owner hire you over a draftsman that can work with SketchUp?
I absolutely believe that General Contractor will dominate the market if the terrain is unchallenging, and the construction is new. Architect' s strength is really in creatively repurposing existing homes or designing comfortable mansions. To find clients for comfortable mansions, the home owner would need to have lived in a DESIGNED house for them to appreciate an architect's design. Otherwise, it is very hard to justify your additional fees on top of a builder's.
I've tuned into 20x30 on Youtube, and believe he's found a great method on promoting his brand and design acumen.
The Tsai house looks like a nice build, continual partnership with that builder is another good promotion.
Exciting times Todd. Hope that helps~ Maybe this conversation can jump start the forum to share more personal experiences.
Charles Ou-Yang
Stephen L. Ball Architect, Inc.
Original Message------
I live in a tough market for residential architects. Because the builders own the market and have designers on staff while NOT charging for design. So I am left with the crumbs that fall from their table. Of course I am rather new to the residential market as an architect and I am finding it very difficult to find a wedge in.
I completely agree with your assessment of providing only full service. I just wish it was an option. It may be on occasion in the future, but it will require many years of work to establish a reputation to have the option to say "no." You have 16 years of building such a reputation.
I am in the Southwest Michigan area.
Thank you,
Todd Oeftger, AIA
Ligature Studio, LLC