I was looking for a specific service (structural inspection) & started a project request via Yelp…read moreto receive quotes. Bitarchitects provided a prompt response, prompt call phone consultation & next steps. Within 1 week of contact I was able to discuss my concerns, the engineer completed a thorough walk through of my home & gave me ample amount of time view discuss my concerns. More importantly they didn't drag out the walkthrough for hours!! I appreciate the honest responses to help distinguish between normal settlement & items that are concerning. I'm waiting on the written report (inspection was completed one business day before writing this review) to proceed with the fixes. I strongly urge spending time & money on an inspection from a structural engineer before spending $$$$ for repairs that aren't needed. Prior to contacting I had 2 vendors try to sell me solutions for problems I didn't have. The price I paid for the inspection literally saved me $$,$$$. My selection of Bitarchitects was because they heard my initial concern, were quick to provide service, & provided communication from initial inquiry to the day of service.

I am adding to my earlier review (see below) - because Bitarchitects helped us successfully…read morecomplete a significant structural reinforcement of our home. Terry Bitar and her team were great to work with every step of the project. They handled things large and small to successfully complete the project. It was easy to communicate with the team, both on big picture issues and on smaller logistical issues. Bitarchitects listened to us and provided us with options and expertise to navigate the task of structural reinforcements for our 100-year old DC home. I also appreciated that, in addition to talking through things, they neatly put things in writing so there was a clear documentation of the project. -- We had an urgent concern with a structural issue in our old house so we reached out to Bitarchitects based on their good reviews here. We received a prompt response and soon had an engineer evaluating our house. The engineer was thorough, helpful, and went above and beyond. He provided a lot of valuable insight both on site and then in a comprehensive written report. I also appreciate that Bitarchitects is able to help me find vendors to complete the work recommended in the engineering report. I have had a great experience from the start and would recommend Bitarchitects to other homeowners.

After speaking to the owner of Applied Civil Engineering I was compelled to express my level of…read moredissatisfaction when the reason for my call was to obtain information on their company. Inquiring about them conducting a Topography and Utility Survey on private property. From the onset of our conversation he was condescending and rude; challenging me and my Architects knowledge behind my request as well as the required permits. Adding insult to the injury he questioned my ability to pay for his services by referencing the cost prior to stating what the services would be. He proceeded without any hesitating to tell me of the incompetence of my Architect, of which he has no prior knowledge and proceeded to tell me that my architect would not know about the permits required. I was a potential customer calling for information with the possibility of securing his services. To be met with a patronizing and demeaning attitude was very off putting and very unfortunate. This is just my experience with this company. You may encounter a different exchange. I was seeking their services. There was no conceivable reason for me to be rude nor should I have been the subject of such behavior. That was unacceptable. I am a firm believer that confrontation does not yield positive results in any situation, let alone business. Thus, do not see any reason for the level of disrespect I received.

We have worked with Chris Tucker on several projects over the last ten years. The most recent…read moreproject was a rear screen porch and patio. After listened to our desires to reclaim our back yard from the mosquitos, Chris designed a slightly modern outdoor entertaining space off the back of our traditional 1920s American Foursquare. The results were the blend of the traditional screen porch (beadboard ceiling, ipe flooring) with modern features (recessed LED lighting, ceiling fans, all-weather speakers) creating a perfect bug-free entertaining space. Completing the project is a small patio containing a couple of chairs and our grill. We could't be happier with the way the project turned out! While the project went slightly longer than expected (don't they all!), the quality of the design and construction were worth the extra few weeks. Chris was very good at keeping us appraised of the progress during all phases of the project (design, permitting, change orders, inspections, etc.), answering our questions and concerns about building process, and incorporating our changes during construction. We will certainly use Mode 4 Architecture and Chris Tucker for any future projects at our house!

Called with a quick architecture related question and was impressed with the professionalism and…read moresupport. I will definitely consider using this firm with my next project.

This guy presents himself as a guru of green architecture, but his main talent is writing invoices…read more To design a top-to-bottom remodel of my four-story house, he visited it once. He flew in a young architect from Colorado (!) to document the house, but they were both distracted by a disaster on another job (frantically redesigning at the last minute) and the drawings of my house were a mess - a door where there wasn't one, pipes and radiators missing, measurements wrong. They brought in a 'structural engineer' who jumped up and down on one part of the concrete floor like a toddler on a trampoline, pronounced it sound, and added, grinning, "I went to school for 10 years to learn how to do this." Maybe he should have studied longer, since it turned out that the floor was cracked through, and only one inch thick in parts (and underneath it was a sewer pipe that could have passed for a colander). Helicon also gave wrong information about the DC code and regulations. As for Helicon's proposed drawings for the renovation, just for one example, we would have had to walk around a bed to get out the back door. When I began to raise questions about the work, he simply refused to answer my emails and refused to go to mediation - although that's what his contract calls for in case of a dispute. When we finally parted ways, he kept all of his hefty fees and retainer, and didn't even return the books and magazines I had lent him as examples. Now, I'm glad to say, I've got a sound, beautiful renovation underway, and a great architect - who just can't believe the drawings from Helicon.

Helicon Works provided me with truly global guidance during a major whole-house renovation,…read morebringing expert attention to the practical/technical details of design and construction as well as the spiritual aspects of making a home. The result is a home that is beautiful, functional, and energy-efficient. I did not hesitate to call on them again when undertaking a second major project.

Working with Jason of Emotive Architecture, renewed my faith in housing professionals. I had been…read moreburned by housing professionals over the years and was very cautious about who I worked with this time around. Luckily, Jason came into the picture early on. He immediately took ownership of the project and was truly invested in making my project a huge success. He was so meticulous and thorough with the permit drawings, that I was able to get a building permit through DCRA in one week, which is unheard of. While the care he took with the drawings was outstanding, I think the most important aspect of working with Jason was that he made me feel extremely comfortable with the process and gave me no doubt that I was in good hands. I am a single woman handling this project on my own. Jason went out of his way to vet the contractors and review their bids. He even visited one contractor's work site. He also provided input on the million and one Houzz photos I sent him. I inherently trust Jason's opinion, work ethic, and professionalism. He's not only a great architect, but he's a great person who is fun to work with. With the transparent design contract, submitting deliverables ahead of time and being extremely responsive and accessible, I highly recommend Jason for anyone's remodeling project.

I hope there isn't a character limit here, because I don't think I will ever be able to fully sing…read moreJason's praise. In December 2012, I purchased my first home - a row house that was in need of a complete gut renovation. Jason was recommended to me by a friend, and I am eternally grateful for her sage recommendation! Skill and Workmanship: When the professionals at DCRA (including former architects) are asking for your architect's card because of how spot on his work is, you know you're working with a top-notch architect. When a zoning reviewer's call is overturned based on your architect's interpretation of a code section, you know you're working with an architectural genius. Jason = architectural genius. That is all. Customer Service: As you may imagine, being a first-time homeowner is stressful in and of itself. Buying your first home and stripping it down to the studs (think Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) is pretty insane. Thankfully, I had Jason to guide me through the entire process. From summer 2012, when I hired him, through present day, Jason has treated this project as if it were his own. There was not one renovation decision that I made without consulting Jason (and with a gut renovation that spanned a year and 3 months from design to completion, there were LOADS of decisions made). He was ALWAYS available and made me feel like I was his only client, even though I knew I wasn't. Jason is more than my architect; he has truly become a family member (the kind you don' t mind when they stop by unannounced). If you're looking for just a "good" architect, Jason is out of your league. I recommend him for homeowners who, like me, wanted near perfection. I certainly found that and more in Jason, and he was worth every single penny I paid for his services. Any and every renovation I do will always begin with Jason.