While it sounds straightforward, in practice it is much more involved. In the real world of development projects, the architect is probably involved longer, and with more responsibility, than most of the other people hired by the developer. The involvement starts before the developer commits to the site, with concept discussions and budget estimates.

“He [the developer] has to be convinced before he commits that the project is economically viable,” Sheeley says.

“Once we get the green light,” he says, “then we move into site development, evolving the preliminary design into the construction documents which are the blue prints you see on-site.” At that point, the job is defined in finite terms, with a fixed cost, and is submitted for permits.

“We always participate in the permit process,” Sheeley says. “We have a close relationship with permit agencies, and will answer any response they might have.” Sheeley works closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, Lee and Collier County Development Departments and, he says, “anyone else.”

Predictably, not all permitting agencies are as easy to get along with as others. “Most are very easy to deal with,” he says. Notably, though, Sheeley points out that, “The City of Cape Coral is more difficult.”

Sheeley sticks with the project to completion. “We do construction administration, which is our inspection of the job-in-progress,” he says, including inspection of the contractor’s work to protect the owner, to assure specified materials are used, and to assist the contractor with any problems that may come up.

Sheeley’s involvement with any particular project may last from a year-and-a-half to three years.