Building Science Consultants in Chicago
Beach1212
| Posted in General Questions on
I’m looking for a building science renovation expert consultant in the Chicago, IL area. It seems difficult to find in Illinois and the midwest in general.
In particular I’m looking for someone who can consult on an old home renovation.
I’ve found a few options in the area, but it seems like their minimum costs are way too high (like they’re expecting to be the architects of large new home builds, as opposed to just consulting on renovation)
Does anyone have any recommendations?
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
Not a reply, but bumping because I'm running into the same problem.
Did you ever find an architect?
A "building science renovation expert consultant" for residential projects is most likely to be an architect or designer, possibly a builder, or possibly a home inspector-type person. Of those, the architect/designer will probably have the most appropriate range of skills to help you.
I don't work in your area, but speaking from a pile of experience, providing ad-hoc or limited consulting on a renovation is very challenging; the response to any question from a client leads to two more questions, which lead to four questions, etc.--no exaggeration. Then they balance my recommendations with whatever their contractor, neighbor or lumberyard delivery person tells them and they get backed into a corner and wonder why I didn't foresee that result.
I enjoy consulting but I no longer do it because it's impossible to plan for. I do it as part of a full-service design contract, which for complicated renovations is every bit as much work as planning a new home, and often more work. In other words, the people you are looking for SHOULD charge at least as much as an architect for new construction.