[MassHistPres] Referrals for contractors

[Cupfish Cupfish]

The challenge is to find a consultant who possesses a broad range of skills:

1) historic preservation expertise,

2) master carpentry, contracting/subcontracting experience, access to and 
use of appropriate materials, and

3) professional architectural experience to appropriately design a remodel 
or build new additions to old structures, or to oversee the work of the 
architect(s).

The ideal project mgr/consultant is equally skilled at all three.  You want 
proper upfront planning, cost estimates, building/remodeling plans AND 
someone who can manage a team of subcontractors to be sure the job is done 
right.  I only know one person who has all these skills.  This is a rare -- 
and much needed niche in historic preservation.

Anne Kornitsky
Oakham MA



>From: "James Hadley" <jameswhadley at hotmail.com>
>To: <Bufffive at aol.com>, <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Referrals for contractors
>Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:37:51 -0400
>
>Has anyone out there ever heard of using consultants to direct the work of
>contractors? This discussion displays an attitude central to the problems 
>of
>maintaining preservation quality.
>Please Note - first you develop a first class analysis of the problem; then
>you develop a thoughtful solution to the problem; following these crucial
>steps, then and only then, do you call in a contractor. Perhaps the
>writer(s) already have plans and specifications prepared, but I can't
>believe they would be casting around for good contractors had they done so.
>PreservatiONMASS maintains a list of qualified consultants. These people/
>firms are advocates for the owner and client; they develop estimates based
>on the scope of the project and the budget for the work, and advise on
>qualified contractors to do the work.
>Our hiscom finds itself continually cleaning up proposals from contractors
>hired by local groups to do work funded by the CPA in Town. In general no
>research has been done prior to preparing a cost for work, leading to 
>either
>cost overruns, damage to historic fabric or conficts with building codes.
>(Yes, all of these have come up in our reviews.)
>James Hadley AIA, BSA.  President, Orleans Historical Society; Chair,
>Orleans Historical Commission.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <Bufffive at aol.com>
>To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 4:49 PM
>Subject: [MassHistPres] Referrals for contractors
>
>
> > We have recently in Wellesley had a request for a referral  for
> > contractors
> > that are sensitive to historical buildings. I am wondering  if any of 
>you
> > have
> > a list? We've been going back and forth in our Commission  about the 
>pros
> > and
> > cons of having this type of thing and are wondering how  other 
>communities
> > handle this.. We worry about sounding like we are recommending  someone. 
>I
> > know
> > Preservation Mass has one but am not sure how they were obtained  or how
> > extensive it is.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Linda Buffum
> >
> > Chairman
> > Wellesley Historical  Commission
> >
> >
> >
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