Best architect/building team?

Any other suggestions of people who did a great job, quickly, at a reasonable price?

Having worked with numerous architects over the years on several different projects I can tell you anyone worth his/her salt (i.e. someone who will do a great job) will not be quick. As for being reasonably priced, that's relative and depends on YOUR definition of "reasonable". Good architects are not "cheap" - you get what you pay for.

I'm doing a website for Springline Arcitechs in STT... based on their photos alone they do amazing work! Nice folks to work with from a business end also. No real experience other than that lol

Tia,
I hired Chris Tavernier for my house. I have nothing but great things to say about him. Please PM me if you want to know more about the whole process, it's quite a bit different than the states. Like Afriend said you get what you pay for and it won't be quick. I did use a different builder Rolando Asencious. Great guy as well, on time and on budget. I did watch a huge debacle at a nearby project involving 2 other contractors. It was a great learning experience and fortunate in that I knew who not to hire for our project.

Hi Tia,

We are now building in Mahogany Run.

We hired Chris Tavernier to process the permits and he did a competent job. I cannot speak about him in another capacity since our engagement was so limited in scope.

For an architect we hired Mike Stauffer. He is licensed both in the Virgin Islands and Florida so he understands both worlds very well. His fees are reasonable compared to other architects in STT (we interviewed all who were members of the American Institute of Architects in the USVI) and we like that there is no overhead... big office, secretaries, etc. He has done an outstanding job for us. You will see once I post pictures of the final job (for the moment we are at the cistern level). We love architecture and design and are quite knowledgeable and detail oriented so our expectations are very high and he met them.

For contractors we retained Bill Tynan and Mike Roesner. So far, so good---but we are at the beginning of construction. I think they will come out shining.

I do not advise that you do a design/build. Hire the best architect and then search for the best contractors and best price... competition works on your favor. We retained our architect, Mike Stauffer, to interact with the contractors for their design questions as well as doing monthly visits to the site.

If you have questions or want to talk on the phone, do not hesitate to pm me.

All the best for your project!

Another vote for Kevin Qualls and Springline. And not completely because he's an old friend. He does great work. (tu)

I am in the middle of a build on STX and I am using Chris as my architect.

He has done an A+ job and i highly recommend him!

Can't help with the builder since I am doing most of the work myself.

Greetings,
I am interested in building on St. John and couldn't find the contact info for Chris Tavernier anywhere.

Could anyone please provide an email, website, or phone number where I can reach him?

Many thanks in advance
RS

Chris Tavernier 340-227-8938 or 340-775-3359. Email ctusvi00801@gmail.com
I haven't spoken to him since the hurricanes, his house was up on Crown Mountain so he might be out of doors.

I originally wanted to build on St Croix. Found some real bargains on ocean view lots in desirable areas. But, having researched previous threads on the subject of building, it just didn't seem to make financial sense.

I've seen discussions quoting $300 to $400 per square foot for new construction. Along with stories of actual costs ending up being much higher than original bids.

This compares to finding resales in the $150 - $200 per square foot range. Am I missing something here, where it actually does make sense to build? I really would like to build but have basically been scared away from the idea.

If you are heavily and actively involved with the whole project, have a good understanding of construction and have thorough and accurate planning/estimates of all the construction costs and have a solid contingency fund then it would probably make sense to build. And of course being able to hire reliable subs makes a big difference. It also may mean buying a lot of the materials yourself stateside and arranging for shipping. Sometimes the simplest things can lead to cost overruns and schedule delays like running out of some material that's not available when you need it.