All Forum Posts by: Jared W Smith
Jared W Smith has started 27 posts and replied 657 times.
Post: REM Capital - Robert Ritzenthaler - Thoughts?
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Quote from @Craig NA:
Quote from @Jared W Smith:
Quote from @Craig NA:
Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
Quote from @Craig NA:
I am an architect in Florida, where REM Capital (Robert) signed a contract for architectural professional services in January 2024. We successfully performed our contract, with a local municipality approving our plans in May 2024. We are now in September of 2025 and REM Capital has not paid their contractual obligations, 5 figures. After 15 months of patience and good faith communication with Robert, we have turned this account over to a collection agency and will seek all legal avenues until we are paid in full. Our architectural firm is not a developer nor do not have the ability to take on "risk" like investors. We simply perform our services and expect to be paid for our work, as agreed-to. While the correspondence from REM has been professional, and somewhat hit and miss, we've received every excuse in the book, such as "my entire company ruined by a couple of bad partners", "I'm working as quickly as possible to free up cash flow", and "my other projects fell out of contract, I had planned to use those proceeds". I could go on and on with excuses over the course of 12 months. Do not do business with Robert Ritzenthaler or REM Capital. I'm sure Robert will see this message; once you pay in full, I will delete this post as well as all of my other posts on the internet stating my firsthand experience, which I have a long trail of written communication. Until then, all facts will be posted for those to make judgements for themselves regarding your company.
of course you did not deliver your work/ plans without being paid right ??
We received a small initial payment (retainer), and a signed contract from REM. We are a smaller architectural firm and do our best to not hold plans "hostage", as we like to establish relationships with developers and clients, and a level of trust between all parties. I had no reason to think REM would not pay. For over 12 years of my career I was previously at a top 500 ENR firm and we did not require payment prior to the release of plans. Do some engineering and architectural firms require payment prior to the release of plans? Sure. However, we try to separate ourselves from other firms, provide excellent client service, and provide accounting flexibility to the greatest extent possible to help contribute to the success of the project.
Wrong call. Been running a small firm for 10+ years now. Giving completed plans to the client before payment is NOT one of the ways I am differentiating my firm from others. My contract states I am paid 100% of design fees before permit filing and/or signed and sealed construction documents are released to any party. No exceptions. The outcome of the project is not your responsibility. My payment is not predicated on how well the project goes or if it is even built. They must pay for the services they requested. Period.
Sorry to hear about your experience with REM but that's a textbook way for architects like us to be stiffed and then we have no leverage on the IP/instruments of service we create.
I am in complete agreement with everything you said, but it is easier said than done. All of our clients are private, some of them non-profit. In my 7+ years of building my practice, with the approach I have, I have never been "stiffed". Upwards in $15m in gross revenue with no marketing. In this particular case for REM, it was a schematic package for a private developer to finalize a development agreement with a local municipality on city owned property.
Let's not take away from the focus of why I posted. REM signed a contract and did not pay, and I was simply coming on here to report my firsthand experience as the original poster requested. We are in the processing of pursing all legal action against REM.
I am just very outspoken for any and all architects to stand up for their rights and best practices to help our industry. Unless I have equity, and even still it’s dependent, I do not front load work before fees. I know it’s tough to implement for sure. All the best
Post: REM Capital - Robert Ritzenthaler - Thoughts?
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Quote from @Craig NA:
Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
Quote from @Craig NA:
I am an architect in Florida, where REM Capital (Robert) signed a contract for architectural professional services in January 2024. We successfully performed our contract, with a local municipality approving our plans in May 2024. We are now in September of 2025 and REM Capital has not paid their contractual obligations, 5 figures. After 15 months of patience and good faith communication with Robert, we have turned this account over to a collection agency and will seek all legal avenues until we are paid in full. Our architectural firm is not a developer nor do not have the ability to take on "risk" like investors. We simply perform our services and expect to be paid for our work, as agreed-to. While the correspondence from REM has been professional, and somewhat hit and miss, we've received every excuse in the book, such as "my entire company ruined by a couple of bad partners", "I'm working as quickly as possible to free up cash flow", and "my other projects fell out of contract, I had planned to use those proceeds". I could go on and on with excuses over the course of 12 months. Do not do business with Robert Ritzenthaler or REM Capital. I'm sure Robert will see this message; once you pay in full, I will delete this post as well as all of my other posts on the internet stating my firsthand experience, which I have a long trail of written communication. Until then, all facts will be posted for those to make judgements for themselves regarding your company.
of course you did not deliver your work/ plans without being paid right ??
We received a small initial payment (retainer), and a signed contract from REM. We are a smaller architectural firm and do our best to not hold plans "hostage", as we like to establish relationships with developers and clients, and a level of trust between all parties. I had no reason to think REM would not pay. For over 12 years of my career I was previously at a top 500 ENR firm and we did not require payment prior to the release of plans. Do some engineering and architectural firms require payment prior to the release of plans? Sure. However, we try to separate ourselves from other firms, provide excellent client service, and provide accounting flexibility to the greatest extent possible to help contribute to the success of the project.
Wrong call. Been running a small firm for 10+ years now. Giving completed plans to the client before payment is NOT one of the ways I am differentiating my firm from others. My contract states I am paid 100% of design fees before permit filing and/or signed and sealed construction documents are released to any party. No exceptions. The outcome of the project is not your responsibility. My payment is not predicated on how well the project goes or if it is even built. They must pay for the services they requested. Period.
Sorry to hear about your experience with REM but that's a textbook way for architects like us to be stiffed and then we have no leverage on the IP/instruments of service we create.
Post: 4.86 acre lot - one home per lot...
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
It sounds like you need some deep due diligence to answer several questions about what, how and to what degree the land can be developed. As @Stuart Udis mentioned, what does the Zoning say? What are the minimum lots sizes that are required by the municipality? If you require a variance or not can slow any construction progress to a halt until this is squared away. Best retain an Architect or Civil Engineer to investigate this things before you Close and give options on what to build.
Post: Need an architect to do drawing for fireblock in Hartford, CT
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Quote from @Janet Wedgwood:
Hi Jared,
Thank you so much for getting back to me! We were lucky enough to find someone late last week and I forgot to delete this request. However, I will keep your information in case this person goes pumpkin on me. Are you licensed in Hartford?
Thanks,
Janet
Okay, good to hear!
Okay, yes please keep me in mind then. Thanks
Architectural licensure is by state. I am licensed in the state of CT.
Post: Need an architect to do drawing for fireblock in Hartford, CT
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
I'm licensed in CT.
DM me the project details and address. Thanks
Post: Need an architect to do drawing for fireblock in Hartford, CT
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Hello @Janet Wedgwood
Sorry to hear about your dilemma. I am licensed in CT, however you are a bit further than I typically cover. DM the property address and I can see if this is something I can take on at the moment.
Post: Looking to Connect
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Welcome from a fellow believer. I'm here in the REI and AEC industry based in Southern Westchester as well. All the best!
Post: 6 unit codes may kill the deal
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
This is very common. I've have provided very similar list for multi-family apartment renos. Very hard to get away from these since most tie directly back to a specific code text and part of the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) review and approval these will need to be in compliance.
All the best
Post: Building out my team
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Hello @John Dunn
I've walked prospective properties to provide invaluable insight to the buyer on their goals, existing conditions, possible renovation ideas, Code compliance issues and overall design & efficiency aspects. I have been working in Westchester County for 17+ yrs.
By virtue of an Architect's services, we look out for your best interest related to your project/property.
Post: Property owner lied about having a basement
- Architect
- Westchester County, NY
- Posts 669
- Votes 467
Oh boy. Sorry to hear of this issue. I would sided with the Contractor here. That building type and year of construction would have, 99% of the time, had a cellar/basement.