ALEXANDER ELLIS
ARCHITECTURE

Architecture for Legacy. Built with Vision. Reinforced for Tomorrow.

We craft private estates and strategic environments for founders, leaders, creators, and discerning families. Spaces that express your story, stand the test of time, and operate with unmatched discretion.

Work directly with Alex ^

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How Homeowners
Get Burned

Studies Identify up to >>

78%
projects go
over budget

72%
projects go
over schedule

32%
projects
end in dispute

68%
feel bait
& switched

Most
homeowners find out too late
it could have been avoided.

Your Power Move

The high-leverage move savvy developers & smart homeowners use to force builder accountability, save six figures, and win at their remodel or new build.
> Now available to you <

To You, The Homeowner with a Vision:

You’re about to spend $250K to $10M+ on a remodel, addition, or new home build.
You’ve dreamed it, planned it, hired a team - and think you’re ready.

But then you hear the horror stories and know the stats. You realize:
The more you spend, the more your builder, remodeler or design-builder makes.

So how do you really know they’re looking out for you and being transparent?
Pricing is often kept artificially low to win your project.
Followed by death-by-a-thousand-paper-cuts of overages and extras once you’re locked in. They profit when construction starts, not from obsessing over your planning, keeping your costs low, or scheduling efficiently.

So who’s this really serving? You may say to yourself...
I wouldn’t buy a car without my own mechanic inspecting.
I wouldn’t close a major business deal without my own financial review.
I wouldn’t buy a house without my own home inspector.

So why would I spend hundreds of thousands to millions without
my own independent expert - protecting my interests?

Here’s what developers and experienced homeowners do for successful projects:
They bring in an expert or “Owner’s Rep” to spot red flags, reduce risk, and protect the budget, schedule, and vision from start to finish.

Now, you can too, with efficiency -
by focusing on the most important stage of your project.

In my Pre-Build Review, I come in at the critical moment -
when you need guidance the most and when my impact is the greatest:
Before you sign anything and before a single shovel hits the ground.

Set your Pre-Build up properly - and set the trajectory of your entire build for success.

This is your leverage moment - and your best chance to get it right.

The Pre-Build Review Includes

A full audit of your scope of work, plans, contract, pricing, terms, financing and construction documents with custom strategy delivered in a ready-to-use format to yield immediate results.

1. Contract & Scope

Spot ambiguous clauses, payment structures, timeline terms – helping prevent surprises and giving your attorney clear reference points.
> Avoids back-end upgrade costs and timeline delays.
> Reduces risk and ensures builder accountability.

2. Plans & Specs

Identify oversights or budget-killers in your drawings, selections & specs.
> Prevents costly change orders, delays, or field changes.
> Avoids incorrect communication of the desired scope.

3. Builder Quote Audit

Catch padded bids, gaps, and upcharges before you commit
> Helps you undersdatnd the REAL costs between builders, trades and vendors.
> Flags out of alignment costs with current market values

4. Leverage Tactics

Developer-grade strategies to negotiate better pricing, positioning and terms.
> Know how, when and what to negotiate to win at your project
> Did you know?…the industry expects you to negotiate. Position yourself to win.

5. Payment Strategy

How you're funding the project and timing payouts ot maximize speed of schedule.
> Prevents cash flow gaps and supports lender alignment.
> Construction- specific lender intros

6. Protection

Understand typical insurance options, be sure no policies are dropped during the project, and that lien releases are in place.
> Protects from double payment, disputes, and uninsured gaps.

Optional Services:

7. Value Engineering

If you price to build is misaligned with your budget.
> Deep dive into your designs, materials and selections optimizing your project’s efficiency and costs without sacrificing what matters most.
> Itemization report for your builder to easily bid on cost saving otions.

8. Health & Resilience

Creating a healthy and safe home.
Recommend upgrades for air quality, low VOC materials, water treatment + fire, earthquake, and security measures tailored to your site an needs.
> Consulting on how to protect your family & your home from the threats of the 21st century.

What We Deliver:

Full Custom Pre-Build Report with Actionable Findings:

  • Contractor bid comparison (understand scope differences and hidden exclusions)

  • Copy/Paste Action Report for you to send to your Builder

  • Copy/Paste Red‑Flag Summary for Your Attorney’s contract review*

  • Review findings and suggestions together live in a 60-minute Zoom strategy session.

  • Optional ongoing support for questions throughout your project (changes, in-construction issues, etc.)

Who This is For:

Our clients prioritize value, protection and peace of mind:

  • Clients are typically CEO's, Tech Founders, Doctors, Lawyers, and business owners who want expert eyes on the contract docs

  • HNWIs who want the strategy of a development team without hiring one full-time

  • Anyone signing a construction contract over $250K

  • Not for those who just "trust their gut." It’s for those who want to avoid six-figure mistakes and build with confidence.

*Final deliverables are tailored to your project and scope, but every review is designed to surface blind spots, save money, and give you real leverage before you build. We identify construction and contract elements that impact scope, budget, and schedule—such as ambiguous timelines, unclear payment terms, or missing scope details—so your attorney can focus their legal review more effectively. Please note: we do not provide legal services or legal interpretation.

Remodel Reviews:

$5-10K

Typical range for a Remodel project.
Exact pricing based on project size, complexity and services selected.
A fixed fee will be established.

New Home Reviews:

$8-25K

Typical range for a New Home project.
Exact pricing based on project size, complexity and services selected.
A fixed fee will be established.

Most clients see a 5–10x return + gain the kind of
peace of mind you can’t put a price on.

  • “We were about to sign a substantial remodel contract, and something felt off. Alex went through the documents and plans with a fine-tooth comb, flagged a lot of items we didn’t even know where there, and helped us adjust. Our remodeler was quoting their standard options which would have cost us another $40K later had we not done the review. This is the game builders play. The peace of mind we got was worth every penny and saved us so much.”

    — Jordan M., Evanston, IL
    (remodel + addition)

  • “Alex’s review uncovered almost $75,000 in errors. There was markup that wasn’t clearly disclosed in our contractor’s bid and missing items that we clearly requested in our project. He helped us clarify and even guided us on what to ask for and how to handle the negotiation. His insight more than paid for itself.”

    — K & J, Chicago, IL
    (new home build)

  • “We had three contractor bids, but they were all formatted so differently we had no idea who was offering what. Alex helped us compare apples to apples, understand the hidden exclusions, and confidently choose the right builder. We highly recommend!”

    — A & V, Laguna Niguel, CA
    (remodel + addition)

  • “As a busy family managing a big remodel, I was overwhelmed and worried I’d miss something important. Alex broke everything down, explained the issues clearly, and made sure I understood the implications before moving forward. It was the smartest investment and Alex is great to work with”

    — Priya K., Los Angeles, CA
    (kitchen + bath remodel)

Hi - I'm Alex

My mission is simple: champion homeowners and families when it matters most.

As a licensed Architect, Builder/Developer licensed Real Estate Broker, and licensed Construction Loan expert with over 20 years in the industry, I’ve seen first hand how waste, disorganization, profiteering, and intentional lack of transparency can make homeowners settle for less while everybody else in the process profits more.

I’ve reviewed thousands of construction documents. I know where the traps hide - the inflated allowances, vague scopes, and items that shift the risk all onto you.

With the Pre-Build Review, you’re bringing in a high-level strategist who works solely for YOU in an industry stacked against you - protecting your money, your peace of mind, and the success of your project at the moment you have maximum leverage - right before you sign.

I fight for homeowners to take control to build with confidence & transparency.
If this resonates with your goals and vision - I'd love to discuss your project.

Warmly,

Alex Patsavas (Founder & Principal)
Alex the Architect, LLC

 FAQ’s

  • Contractors are not legally required to act in your best interest and they have a conflict of interest in advising you - the more money you spend the more they make.

    I’ll help you spot pricing tricks, vague terms, and bad contract clauses before you sign. Then give you the steps to go back and negotiate in your favor.

  • Yes. We recommend having a construction attorney review your contract for legal enforceability. But most attorneys aren’t builders—they don’t assess whether the scope is complete, whether terms are fair based on your specific project, or whether clauses create hidden cost exposure. That’s where we come in. We review your plans, scope, and contract together and flag key risks—gaps, vague terms, or misalignments for your attorney to review and revise your contract. We can also refer attorneys experienced in construction law.

    Alex the Architect LLC is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

  • Yes. If you need ongoing help, I offer full architectural design and Project COO oversight packages. This review fee applies toward those services if you continue.

  • Perfect! We can help get you to the right place and then I’ll help you review bids, compare options, and negotiate the best deal.

  • Simply book your free discovery call where we’ll talk high level about your project. If you decide to move forward, you’ll be asked to upload any available documents—such as your contractor agreement, budget, scope of work, and any architectural plans. If you don’t have everything yet, that’s okay—we’ll guide you through what’s needed.

Your Moment of Maximum Leverage is Now

Apply now and Protect your Home, Before you Build your Home