 (650) 996-4097

 sam@sinnottandco.com

Our Approach to Your Project

Is there an advantage to working with an architect who builds rather than a contractor who designs?

Architecture is a rigorous discipline that takes years to master. Contractors who claim to be designers typically produce poor design work due to a lack of training.

A project cannot be bid on unless it is thoroughly documented. Many contractors prefer an incomplete set of documents to solve problems in the field and charge for it. This inefficiency results in a costly, delayed, inferior project.

Any contractor can advertise using the term "Design & Build," but they rarely have any design staff. Your project is usually given to an inexperienced, outside drafter you may never meet.

At Sinnott & Company, we have in-house, licensed architectural and construction staff. Only licensed architects can use the term "Architecture." That license represents experience and quality.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What are the common problems when renovating or adding onto a residence?

Design Integration - Most people want the addition's exterior to be indistinguishable from the original house. Our solutions always consider the whole.

Cost and Schedule Overruns - Our staff provides preliminary cost estimates to help you make good design decisions early. Our bids always come in on budget after preliminary costing, and our schedules are realistic.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

Are there advantages to working with a company that provides both architecture and construction services?

When the contractor and architect are separate, it is not unusual for the contractor to be at odds with the architect, creating an adversarial environment with negative effects on the project. That does not happen when Sinnott & Company performs both architecture and construction. When problems arise--as they often do--they are solved internally between members of the same company, who know each other and have experience working together. There is much less stress. It's in everyone's best interest (architect, contractor, and client) to solve problems this way.

Another advantage is that because we have been doing both architecture and construction for many years, our construction cost estimates are much more accurate. Most contractors are not equipped to provide detailed preliminary estimates. The client doesn't know what the project will cost until the bids come in. Cost estimation is done before the documents are ready to bid.

Bidding occurs only after construction documents are complete. Sinnott & Company provides all clients with a bid at the end of the design process, and we are often the lowest.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

Why should I work with an architect who bills on an hourly basis for design work rather than someone who gives me a predictable, fixed price?

Architecture is a puzzle. No two projects are the same. Clients need the flexibility to change their minds and architects need to be able to suggest new ideas. Fixed fee agreements discourage that.

The drawings and documents prepared by the architect determine how much construction will cost. Design work should never be treated as a line item in a project budget like framing or tile work.

It is nearly impossible to predict accurately how much time solving an architectural problem takes. Architecture on a fixed fee means someone is either paid more than it costs to prepare the work or they cut service to meet their own budget. Design service reduction compromises the beauty of the project and/or has costly implications in the construction phase.

Hourly billing is fair to both the client and the architect.

Also, design fees are a very good value. On a typical project, the architecture, structural engineering, landscape design, interior design, geotechnical engineering, and civil engineering are about equal to the overhead and profit paid to the contractor in addition to their costs.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

How much are design fees on a typical project?

Sinnott & Company bills design fees on an hourly basis. We believe this is the fairest approach to design billing.
‍
To give clients an idea of how much they may end up paying for our design services, estimates of design fees, as a percentage of construction cost, appear in the table below:

Construction Cost	Estimate of Basic Design Fee as a Percentage of Construction Cost
$100,000 to $300,000	20% +/-
$300,000 to $500,000	17% +/-
$500,000 to $1,000,000	15% +/-
$1,000,000 to $1,500,000	12% +/-
$1,500,000 to $2,000,000	10% +/-

Note that these are not to be interpreted as a cap or estimate of your fee. The fee you pay will depend on the scope and complexity of your project. These percentages are for basic services and do not include verification of existing conditions, cost estimating, material specification, engineering, consultants, or agency fees.

We are happy to discuss your project and our fees with you--please contact us.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What is Sinnott's approach to getting my project approved?

Agency approvals are getting more and more complicated. It is very important to research and anticipate which agencies and reviews are required in advance of designing your project. Prior to performing design work, we prepare an approval strategy and schedule, including code and zoning ordinance 'landmines' that can harm your project.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What is Sinnott & Company's design philosophy?

At Sinnott and Company we attempt to design structures that age well and promote the client's needs. That includes careful consideration of function, style, construction costs and operation costs. Green or sustainable design features are an important part of this approach.

Projects are designed in recognizable styles, but with traditional flaws removed. Contemporary elements, including lighting, are mixed with traditional forms to create fresh interpretations of successful styles. Care is taken not to casually mix elements and confuse architectural themes.

We have also discovered that an unhurried design process creates the best buildings. A tremendous amount of time and money is spent converting a design concept into a building. Therefore an adequate amount of time should be spent on conceptual design.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What is Sinnott & Company's approach to doing business?

We let the client know what the schedule and budget are as early and realistically as possible. The decisions made during the architectural process determine the construction cost, schedules, and outcome. From the outset, we discuss construction budgets and construction schedules as well as design fees and schedules.

We do not shortcut design work to save the client fee. They pay for incomplete design many times over in additional construction costs and lost resale value.

Our focus is always the final built product. Great construction projects are the result of a great design process.

Because construction costs are about 10 times design fee, we spend whatever design time is necessary to control these costs. Design work is done on an hourly basis to provide flexibility for our clients and ourselves in this endeavor.

If we are fortunate enough to build your project after we design it, that work is done under a different agreement for a stipulated sum.

All of our field staff are nonsmoking professionals experienced in working in home and business environments. Their respectful approach keeps disruptions to a minimum.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

Is there an advantage to working with an architect who builds rather than a contractor who designs?

Architecture is a rigorous discipline that takes years to master. Contractors who claim to be designers typically produce poor design work due to a lack of training.

A project cannot be bid on unless it is thoroughly documented. Many contractors prefer an incomplete set of documents to solve problems in the field and charge for it. This inefficiency results in a costly, delayed, inferior project.

Any contractor can advertise using the term "Design & Build", but they rarely have any design staff. Your project is usually given to an inexperienced, outside drafter you may never meet.

At Sinnott & Company, we have in-house, licensed architectural and construction staff. Only licensed architects can use the term "Architecture". That license represents experience and quality.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What are the common problems when renovating or adding onto a residence?

Design Integration - Most people want the addition's exterior to be indistinguishable from the original house. Our solutions always consider the whole.

Cost and Schedule Overruns - Our staff provides preliminary cost estimating to help you make good design decisions early. Our bids always come in on budget after preliminary costing, and our schedules are realistic.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

Are there advantages to working with a company that provides both architecture and construction services?

When the contractor and architect are separate, it is not unusual for the contractor to be at odds with the architect, creating an adversarial environment with negative effects on the project. That does not happen when Sinnott & Company performs both architecture and construction. When problems arise--as they often do--they are solved internally between members of the same company, who know each other and have experience working together. There is much less stress. It's in everyone's best interest (architect, contractor, and client) to solve problems this way.

Another advantage is that because we have been doing both architecture and construction for many years, our construction cost estimates are much more accurate. Most contractors are not equipped to provide detailed preliminary estimates. The client doesn't know what the project will cost until the bids come in. Cost estimation is done before the documents are ready to bid.

Bidding occurs only after construction documents are complete. Sinnott & Company provides all clients with a bid at the end of the design process, and we are often the lowest.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

Why should I work with an architect who bills on an hourly basis for design work, rather than someone who gives me a predictable, fixed price?

Architecture is a puzzle. No two projects are the same. Clients need the flexibility to change their minds and architects need to be able to suggest new ideas. Fixed fee agreements discourage that.

The drawings and documents prepared by the architect determine how much construction will cost. Design work should never be treated as a line item in a project budget, like framing or tile work.

It is nearly impossible to predict accurately how much time solving an architectural problem takes. Architecture on a fixed fee means someone is either paid more than it cost to prepare the work, or they cut service to meet their own budget. Design service reduction compromises the beauty of the project and/or has costly implications in the construction phase.

Hourly billing is fair to both the client and architect.

Also, design fees are a very good value. On a typical project, the architecture, structural engineering, landscape design, interior design, geotechnical engineering, and civil engineering are about equal to the overhead and profit paid to the contractor in addition to their costs.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

How long has Samuel Sinnott & Company been in business?

Samuel Sinnott, AIA started the company in 1984 in Menlo Park, California. In the years since, the company has compiled a long list of satisfied clients in the South Peninsula, for both residential and commercial projects.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What design services does Sinnott & Company provide?

The company provides the following basic design services: Architecture, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, from project inception through the issuance of a building permit.

Additional services include the following:

Measuring and documenting existing conditions
Geotechnical engineering
Civil engineering/surveying
Interior design and interior architecture
Construction cost estimating
Public hearing submittals and reviews
Agency coordination
Design revisions after construction commences
Construction administration
Fire suppression design
Lighting design
Home theater design
Security system design
Computer network design
Material or performance specifications
Landscape design
Development feasibility studies

Most projects require some of these additional services.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

How much are design fees on a typical project?

Samuel Sinnott, AIA bills design fees on an hourly basis. We believe this is the fairest approach to design billing.
‍
To give clients an idea of how much they may end up paying for our design services, estimates of design fees, as a percentage of construction cost, appear in the table below:

Construction Cost	Estimate of Basic Design Fee, as a Percentage of Construction Cost
under $100,000	15-20%
$100,000 to $300,000	15%
$300,000 to $500,000	10-15%
$500,000 to $1,000,000	10%
$1,000,000 to $1,500,000	8%
$1,500,000 to $2,000,000	6%

Note that these are not to be interpreted as a cap or estimate of your fee. The fee you pay will depend on the scope and complexity of your project.

We are happy to discuss your project and our fees with you--please contact us.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

What is Sinnott's approach to getting my project approved?

Agency approvals are getting more and more complicated. It is very important to research and anticipate which agencies and reviews are required in advance of designing your project. Prior to performing design work, we prepare an approval strategy and schedule, including code and zoning ordinance 'landmines' that can harm your project.

Start Your Project With Sinnott & Co. 

Awards and Affiliations

TESTIMONIAL

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

“We have relied on Sam as our architect for two houses of distinct styles, and have been delighted with his skill and aesthetic instincts. We trust him to create beautiful and livable spaces, that are also not “cookie cutter.” His construction crews are professional and expert, as well as being considerate people who communicate well. We continue to feel proud of our house and we credit Sinnott & Co for continued excellence.”

Wendy and Evan Ellis

Customer

“Sam does great work and has a keen eye for detail. His team is thoughtful and attentive. We love our new kitchen and would highly recommend Sinnott & Co. to anyone whose project requires an artistic touch.”

Jackie and Matt Perotti

Customer

Sam was amazing to work with, he covers all aspects of the process with a rare combination of business skill, practicality and impeccable design, but his greatest attribute is that he truly cares about every person that he works with, from the client, to his extraordinary staff and the vast network of contacts in the trades he has known for years.

John and Amy Park

Customer

I have been finding the locations for Pottery Barn catalog photo shoots for many years now and just came across Sam Sinnott's Houzz page and must say what a gracious man he is and how beautiful his work is. We have several of his projects in our files for potential photo shoots and they are all beautiful and different.

Conroy Tanzer Photographic

Customer

I hired Sam to do a kitchen and bath remodel. Though a little more expensive than some others, I had seen their work for two friends and decided to go with them. The quality of the work is top notch. A long remodel can be a trying experience and Sam's crew did their best to be respectful of our space. Would probably hire again.

Frank Shaw

Customer

Listened to clients but not hesitant to disagree and provide his perspective. Good communication on all design and approval issues. Used imagination in critical design areas of this renovation. Would definitely recommend Sam Sinnott on the architectural design of any new or remodeling residential project.

Norm Harris

Customer

It was a pleasure working with Sam and his crew. We felt that having the same company both "design and build" our kitchen/dining room/living room/laundry room/bathroom renovation project saved us money, and more importantly, time. They were all professional, considerate, easy to reach and always responded quickly to our questions.

B. Tom

Customer

Working with Sam on our garage conversion was fun and went smoothly even as Covid hit us right at the start. His communication was always prompt and clear, we were always kept informed of all issues. Sam really listened to what we wanted which is a huge plus and even accommodated changes late in the game. Moreover, his people were amazing craftsmen and wonderful humans who were very respectful of our space and time. We really enjoy the new space and are so happy with the results. Meera & Ravi

Meera and Ravi Saxena

Customer

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