This rating is for the overall final result of our 6 months working with dick rockwood. We put an…read moreaddition onto our split level and it came out amazing and exceeded our expectations. I will say, it wasn't anything wild or crazy design wise. Just bedrooms and bathrooms on the new floor, but still. The front of a split level can look very flat, dick suggested certain designs (window placements, gables, etc) to break it up and it looks gorgeous. That being said, he was terrible to work with overall. Not once did he or his office reach out to us- it was 100% us calling or e mailing him for updates on our plans. Usually the drawings were done days sometimes weeks before we got them due to us constantly pressuring dick for an update. Miraculously almost every time we'd receive updated drawings, dates would go as far back as 4 weeks! It really held up the process with the builder. He was completely non existent via text. We'd have to call him repeatedly before he would decide he got annoyed and finally pick up. I will say if you can overlook and deal with this stuff, he is truly one of the best around at his craft and in the end was worth all the headaches with lack of communication since the final product is perfect for us and exactly what we wanted. He knows his stuff and has great insight on what will work and what won't.

We were looking for a home addition design and Rockwood was recommended to us. We spoke with one…read moredesigner on the phone and set up an in home consultation. He cancelled the day of so a different representative (Dick Rockwood himself) came to the house and we sat down for 45 minutes discussing the project. He was very nice and attentive at the meeting. We thought we were on the same page when he left with rough sketches. Rough measurements were taken that day along with pictures. The only communication from the Rockwood group towards us after that day was requesting payments at their deadlines which we paid as asked. We had to continually call to get updates on progress. We finally had sent multiple emails and called multiple times to get a copy of the drawings sent. When they were sent they were not close to what we discussed, they were executed by a third person that had not ever been in contact with us or had never seen the location. They charged $5000 for the drawings and never responded when we asked for redraws stating they were not in the ballpark of what we had discussed with Mr Rockwood himself in our kitchen. When we called to discuss the issues Mr. Rockwood was busy skiing in Colorado. He was nice enough to answer the phone from the lift and offered to call when he returned to town but it has now been 2 years and we have no resolution, no plans and no refund. In the 2 years since we sat down together there has not been a single call or email to inquire as to progress of the build out. They took the $5000 but we have not gotten any drawings from them to use. Your experience may be different if you live in a more affluent town or area as it appears these are the towns where this company prefers to work. We don't have a small house or budget but the town is not as affluent as surrounding towns where this company does most of their work.

I hired Umberto to design my kitchen because I wasn't liking any of the designs from the kitchen…read moreplaces and I wanted a fresh perspective. Umberto had me fill out a survey with lots of questions and then took the time to really get to know me and design a kitchen for my tastes and lifestyle. He did four different designs and I chose the one I liked best. He then went to three different kitchen places to have them bid on the project. I love my new kitchen! Some of the more creative elements of it had to be removed from the design to get the cost within my budget, but it still came out lovely. I highly recommend Umberto for anyone doing a home improvement renovation.

We are working with Umberto G. and GDA Design on a major renovation project for our home. Umberto…read moreis extremely professional and always delivers what is promised on time. More importantly he really listens and incorporates our desires and needs into all of his design ideas. We feel very lucky to work with him and are looking forward to our new living space!

Scott and his team did an amazing job for me in the design and oversight of renovations to my…read morecondominium on Cape Cod. From the early design phase, he gave me multiple choices to select from, he was easy and fun to work with. He made regular site visits, which was very important to me as I was always several hours away. When challenges arose, he was easily accessible and always provided valuable insight and advice. As important as anything, Scott's work is known and respected on the Cape, which carried a lot of weight during the permitting process. I would call upon Scott and his team again if I ever undertake a similar project in the future.

Scott has been our architect through two major renovations. The first was a total gut job of our…read morehome in Sudbury, and the second was another such gut job of our condo in Provincetown. My husband and I love working with Scott! He has great ideas, always offers multiple solutions/options, is patient, professional, organized, nice, fun to work with, and really listens to what you want to achieve. Best of all, he is not a diva! Hallelujah, someone you can actually collaborate with!! I can't recommend Scott highly enough!

Working with Tom made a challenging project seem easy! Tom helped us really consider all of our…read moreoptions. I am not good at picturing what "can" be and he did a great job of "drawing" the vision for me. Awesome response time and constant communications. I highly recommend. Our project was a full raising of the roof and total transformation of our existing main floor. We added 1200 sq. ft above our existing house, moved the kitchen and created a full open floor plan. We have officially taken our 1970's home into the 21st Century. Thanks Tom!

From the owner: Specializing in the preparation of permit and construction plans for your new home, home addition,…read moreremodel or garage. A full set of plans that will allow you to submit for the building permit as well as provide the contractors with a clear understanding of what your vision is. One on one service at the location of your choice. Up front cost disclosure. I will not charge extra for most design changes unless extreme. Cost saving construction tips during the design process. I will present multiple ideas during the floor plan design process

I made a cold call about a project in Somerville. I appreciate Lee explaining the process to me…read morevery patiently. He laid out the steps moving forward. I appreciate his professionalism and patience while I am just getting started and things seem overwhelming to me.

The prestigious architect firm with heart to support other small business in the neighborhood.read more

Building a house is a difficult task. We have been in our house now for several years and Patrick…read moreand his people, Cesar was our guy, had a unique instinct for the use of space. Our house is extremely well laid out and was designed exactly the way we wanted, when we went to them with some concept ideas. We had a tough time with our contractor, but Patrick kept him in line with the specs they selected and although our builder was a challenge, Patrick and his firm kept the project on plan. We'd definitely use him again. You get what you pay for, as excellent architecture does not come cheap. We are thankful he designed our Martha's Vineyard House. We were very pleased With him and his staff which was mostly Cesar for us!

From the owner: Patrick Ahearn FAIA specializes in historically motivated architecture and interior design…read more Patrick Ahearn FAIA specializes in historically motivated architecture and interior design. Over the past 42 years, his volume of finely crafted and detailed residential work spans a multitude of classic styles of architecture from City Town Houses to Island Homes. With offices in both the Historic Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and on the island of Martha's Vineyard, these environments provide a rich and fertile background for the creation of classical timeless architecture, appropriate and in scale to each locale. The firm's work covers a broad spectrum of projects in the United States including master planning, new construction, historic renovation and restoration. To each of his projects, Mr. Ahearn and his team of architects and designers bring a highly educated and schooled knowledge of classic architecture coupled with a keen sense of how people live today, which in turn produces homes that are timeless and responsive to the needs of today's lifestyles.