Services

Severin Winter offers consulting, design, and planning services. He brings the knowledge and experience of a career contractor to an independent advisory role, working exclusively on behalf of the client.

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Design & Planning

For clients in the early stages of a project, Severin works with owners and their architects to develop projects from concept to a buildable, budgeted plan. This includes:

• Programming and scope definition
• Design review for constructability and cost
• Phasing and scheduling strategy
• Contractor procurement planning

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New Construction Consulting

Whether you are building a primary residence, a guest house, or a working farm structure, the decisions made early in a project have the largest impact on outcome and cost. Severin helps clients:

• Evaluate sites and assess buildability before committing
• Review plans and specifications for constructability and value
• Vet and select qualified contractors; analyze competing bids
• Establish realistic budgets and contingency strategies
• Provide oversight and milestone reviews through construction
• Manage punch lists and closeout

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Renovation Consulting

Renovating an existing structure — especially an older one — carries risks that are difficult to anticipate without experience. Severin helps clients:

• Assess existing conditions before purchase or before committing to a scope
• Develop realistic renovation scopes and sequencing strategies
• Select and vet contractors appropriate to the work
• Represent the owner’s interests during construction
• Problem-solve unexpected conditions as they arise
• Identify where to spend and where to save

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Historical Restoration & Preservation

This is Severin’s specialty. The Hudson Valley is home to historic domestic and agricultural architecture — and restoring it well requires knowledge that most contractors simply don’t have.

Severin advises on:

• Structural assessment and repair of timber-frame and masonry construction
• Material selection consistent with the historic character of the structure
• Traditional building methods and where modern approaches are and aren’t appropriate
• Navigation of local historic preservation requirements and review processes
• Coordination with preservation specialists, conservators, and skilled craftspeople
• Documentation, research, and nomination support

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Billing

Severin keeps track of his time and bills at an hourly rate. Billing is straightforward and tied to the actual scope of involvement, whether that is an initial assessment, periodic advisory work, or ongoing owner’s representation through a project.

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How It Works

1. Initial Conversation A phone or in-person conversation to understand your project, your goals, and whether Severin can help. No obligation.

2. Site Visit For most engagements, Severin visits the property to assess conditions, understand the context, and develop a clear picture of the scope and complexity.

3. Proposal A written proposal outlining the scope of consulting services and the engagement structure — whether that is a fixed-fee assessment, an hourly advisory relationship, or full owner’s representation.

4. Engagement Work begins. The depth of ongoing involvement is calibrated to the project’s needs and the client’s preferences.