Every bid looks better after my red pen.
Know what you're signing before you sign it. I review your contractor bids, renovation plans, and coach-house ideas the way a forensic expert would, and mark up every vague allowance, missing scope item, and change-order trap before it costs you money.
Most construction disputes start in the contract, not on the job site.
As a forensic architect, I investigate construction defects and disputes after things go wrong. The same problems show up again and again, and nearly all of them were visible in the paperwork before anyone signed. Here's what my red pen catches:
Red Pen Bid Check
Compare up to 3 contractor bids side by side, with an architect's markup on every page.
- Your bids marked up in red, plus a scope comparison matrix: what each includes, excludes, and leaves vague
- Missing-scope and change-order risk flags
- Allowance, payment-schedule, and contract red flags
- Questions to ask each contractor before you choose
- 30-minute video call to walk through it
Delivered in 3 business days.
More ways to put a red pen on your project
Every service is flat-fee, for projects in Illinois, and includes a video call to walk through my markup.
Red Pen Plan Review
- Your drawings, marked up in red (PDF)
- Layout, egress, code-risk, and structural-coordination flags
- Constructability and cost-risk notes
- 45-minute video call
Red Pen ADU Feasibility
Chicago now allows coach houses and basement or attic units in more places, with rules that vary by area. Find out what your lot can do.
- Zoning and eligibility check for your lot
- Site constraints and sketch-level unit options
- Order-of-magnitude budget range and permit path
- 30-minute video call
Red Pen Walkthrough: buy or renovate?
Thinking of buying an older home to renovate? We walk it together for 90 minutes and I tell you what's realistic, rough cost ranges, and what would worry me. Written summary within 2 business days.
Red Pen Owner's Advocate
Already building? Change-order and pay-application review, 2 calls a month, and email Q&A, all from your side of the table. Cancel anytime.
For Plan Review, ADU Feasibility, or a Walkthrough, email dan@redpenarchitect.com and I'll confirm scope and timing.
How it works
Book & pay
Book your Bid Check and pay the flat fee. No hourly surprises.
Upload your documents
Send your bids, plans, or address through my secure upload page. No account needed; please put your last name in the file names.
Get your marked-up report
Your bids come back marked up in red within 3 business days, followed by a video call to walk through every flag.
About Dan Hutchins
I'm an Illinois-licensed architect and a forensic architect. My work involves investigating why buildings fail and serving as an expert witness in construction disputes. I started Red Pen Architect because I kept seeing homeowners lose money on problems that were visible in the paperwork from day one.
When you hire me, I work only for you. I don't accept referral fees or commissions from contractors or suppliers, so my markup stays honest.
Questions
Is this a home inspection?
No. It's an architect's review of documents, design, and feasibility. For a condition inspection, hire a licensed Illinois home inspector.
Is this legal advice?
No. I'll flag contract terms worth questioning from a construction standpoint, but I'm not a lawyer. For legal questions about a contract, talk to an attorney.
What areas do you serve?
Projects in Illinois only, under my Illinois license. Walkthroughs are on the North Shore and in Chicago; document reviews can be done remotely anywhere in Illinois.
What if you don't find anything?
On the Bid Check, if I don't find at least 3 concrete issues worth raising with your contractor, you get a full refund.
Are you going to redesign my project?
No. These are review and advisory services. I don't prepare construction drawings or permit sets.
Do you work for contractors?
No. I'm paid only by you, and I don't accept referral fees or commissions from contractors or suppliers.
How fast?
Bid Checks in 3 business days after your documents arrive; other reviews in 5. Rush is available on request.
Will you talk to my contractor?
The review is for you, and I'll give you the questions to ask. Contractor calls can be added at an hourly rate by agreement.
Can I use your review in a dispute?
These reviews are pre-construction advice. If you're already in a dispute, talk to a lawyer first.
Send me the bids before you sign.
Founding price $295 for the first 10 clients · 3 issues or it's free.
Book a Red Pen Bid Check →Questions? dan@redpenarchitect.com