Blanchard Fuentes Design, Inc

Mark pagusso _{on Google}

Jan 14th, 2019

Best Design Build Team in the South Bay!

Marjan M _{on Google}

Dec 31st, 2017

I have been working with Blanchard Fuentes Design on an addition and remodel project for my home. I parted ways with two design professionals before having the great fortune of moving my project to Blanchard Fuentes Design. Both the prior architects I collaborated with had sound technical design skills; however, their project management and communication skills left much to be desired. In both cases, repeated delays in preparing design plans for City Planning Commission review were clearly a function of inadequate coordination of resources.
When I provided Erik Blanchard with the details of my projects (including design plan, survey and city review notes), there were 10 days remaining until the qualification deadline for the next City Planning Commission review. I had absolutely no expectation that the deadline could be met and was prepared for another month delay. Erik and his team immediately assessed my project. Erik then met with the city planner, ascertained the required plan modifications, coordinated directly with all third parties involved and got my project to the finish line before the deadline. After months of delay, I cannot begin to share how grateful I was for Erik, Deborah and their team's exceptional professional competence. As for communication, Erik kept me informed of and walked me through each step of the process as he was moving the project forward. He has an uncanny instinct for the appropriate use of communication mediums (email vs. text vs. telephone).
Another learning I hope will be helpful to others in the design and build process is the tremendous asset of working with a firm like Blanchard Fuentes Design that specializes in design and build. After reviewing my initial design plans, Erik immediately identified elements that would require modification from a build perspective. Having a professional with superior design skills and building expertise is invaluable towards mitigating delays and costs associated with having to rework engineering plans - the essential communication mechanism between architect and contractor.
Working with Blanchard Fuentes Design has shown me that it is possible for superior design acumen to be coupled with outstanding project management and communication skills. I highly recommend their expertise.