Need validation!!!

In a nutshell, hubby has purchased a 14x24 gambrel roofed utility builtding, placed on beams set on footings. His goal, teaching space, recording space, and band practice space. He has been in contact with Richard Oliver, and is set to go with him for the design of the interior and all the soundproofing and accoustical work. This building is at the back of our garage, freestanding (but will be atatched) and we are in somewhat close proximity to neighbors. I am a skeptic, and need some approval for this persons knowledge. He has listed many huge names in the music business, that we have no way of 'talking' to. Many of us in the family are saying, slow down...but as another poster stated, he is like a kid in a candy shop!!! He is excited to get started, but the $$ is so much more than I anticipated!! Can anyone offer some assurances?? I have just found this site, and have shared it with him, maybe if he takes time and reads what you all have accomplished, he will change his mind and do it himself! Thanks and Happy New Year!!

The very least he can do is run his needs and dimensions by the pros and pro-level amateurs here. Incredible minds, all. This site makes for great reading and learning. I've been rapt since joining up a few weeks ago, and my own plans have gone from a square room with glue-on foam out the wazoo to something respectable that I know I can accomplish myself. - Andy

Hello, I consulted Richard Oliver on the new facility here at Portland Community College, OR. I found him to be very knowledgable especially in regards to smaller rooms, innovative ideas and keeping within the budget. I know he can be a bit "New York" abrasive but he kicks the contractor's a** to keep to the designs & agreement. Any studio he designed that is still in business will take a call from you, do the research it's worth it. In my case however, our architects decided not to use a studio design consultant other than the industrial acoustic guy they usually use. I am now embarked on a 2 year corrective construction / treatment phase costing more than the original consult. You have to decide by putting together a performa. A lot of large scale studios (read expensive) only last until the seed money runs out. Then they either find new investors, to go another 3 years before bankruptcy, or they fold. Not that I am against this policy because I get to buy good microphones cheap when they go under. I recently corresponded with George Massenberg about coming to PCC for a forum and he remarked how much less money he makes now than just a couple of years ago. It seems everyone is feeling the bite of how the music business is changing. Keep it real in regards to overhead and expected income from your market demographic. My $.02 worth.