
As soon as I walk into a space, I start designing. Usually, I start with the "If I had a million dollars approach." Then, reality sets in. This place was no different. I have known what I wanted to do to this house generally, since I walked in, but to execute this I need permits and plans.
New to the area, with no connections, I was starting from piont zero. My advice here is...do what I did. Ask everyone. I ask friends and family. I stop workers on the street. I knock on doors of people having work done on thier homes. I am 'that guy' and it has served me well. Trust your gut, but ask and check references and try and go physically see their work if possible. Through this process I found a gem of the industry, Second Phoenix LLC. www.2pllc.com
Charles and Denise run Second Phoenix, LLC and they are a great team. They took the time to speak with me about my ideas and design. They offered their own ideas and opinions about what might work in the space. They gave me quick, professional, and quality drawings, AND they offered permit expedition services, meaning they went to the DCRN to obtain the necessary permits to get things rolling, NOT me.
It’s tough to find people you trust, and you hear a lot of horror stories, but this isn’t one of them. And when I find someone good, I want to pay it forward and tell everyone. For those of you who are interested, Charles and Denise provide project management services as well as reccomendations for workers to get stuff done. They are open to new, eco-friendly design options and had thier own experience with certain aspects of green design.
I am glad to have found them and honored to have them on the side of Pazzo Verde.