Highland Architectural Design, LLC

Jim at Highland Architectural Design was absolutely amazing. I had called a few architects before I reached Jim. He was able to come give us a quote the very same day and as soon as I met him I knew he had our best interests at heart and that he was the one for the job. His prices are very reasonable and he is extremely professional. We had prints made for an addition on our home and even though our contractors said some things wouldn't work just because they wanted to make their job easier, Jim came back out to our house and explained exactly how it was supposed to be done. The great thing about Jim is that he is Experianced as an architect but he also knows what will work on the field. Some architects only know how to work on paper. Not Jim, he was truly amazing and we will definitely hire him again. Already referring his services to friends. Thanks Jim!!

Jim Schriner, principal at Highland Architectural Design was asked to work with us as we envisioned and remodeled our '70s era kitchen. We have a 1930's lake style log cabin that has been expanded over the years. We wanted to take the galley style kitchen to a new level with a clean contemporary look to contrast, yet complement our cozy log style home and to satisfy our design backgrounds. We also wanted to make the best use of a very small cramped space. Jim helped us with our vision, offering options on what we could do, and how we could achieve it on a reasonable budget. As with most old houses (especially log homes) it became even more of a challenge as we opened the ceiling, walls and floor and found some not entirely unexpected issues. Jim worked with us throughout the process teaming up with our contractors to ensure a successful realization of our vision. He even provided hands-on help in installing our Ikea kitchen and restoring a much loved antique copper vent hood adding additional character and warmth to our otherwise high gloss white kitchen.

We wanted to add a garage addition to our home and had no idea how it would look and where to start. We called Highland Architectural Design and met with Jim, he assured us that it could be done and gave us the confidence to get started. He took the lead on this project and we couldn't be happier with the result. Jim was very easy to work with, he was always available for questions and he worked well with the contractor.

Sometimes when doing a project around the house we are tempted to try and cut costs wherever we can. Often, this turns out to be a big mistake. One pro we have found that is invaluable to have on your team is an architect. Why do you need to have such an advisor you might ask ? These professionals can help save you : Time, money, stress and a whole lot of aggravation. An architect is a person who will help you plan, design, and oversee the construction / renovation of your buildings. They will listen to you describe what you are looking to do and how you think you can best accomplish your goals. They will then, using their years of education and experience guide you along the path to a much less worrisome project. In northern New Jersey one of these advisors we would highly recommend is Jim Shriner of Highland Architectural Design. Jim is honest, reliable, responsive and extremely conscientious. He has over 25 years experience advising homeowners and business operators build, improve and renovate their buildings in this area. His fees are very competitive and he really takes the time necessary and makes your project as important to him as it is to you. When we were looking to expand our home, Jim listened to what we hoped to accomplish, advised us how to do it economically and expeditiously then drew up several different designs for us to choose from. He is personable and professional and was a real pleasure to work with. We would highly recommend Highland Architectural to our friends and neighbors.

Our experience with Highland Architectural Design was very positive. We contacted Jim Schriner when we decided to add a family room and full bath to our lakeside home. Jim developed a plan which provided a very comfortable interior space and outdoor covered patio while enhancing our view of the lake and our gardens.His knowledge of local codes facilitated permitting and approvals throughout the project. Jim also identified reliable contractors and provided valuable follow up during construction.

The challenge: create an addition almost twice the size of the original small cabin, make the totality a unified structure, do so with the owners largely absent, and work with a very tight budget. The result: success on each and every count. The background: our extended family owned a vacation house in Highland Lakes NJ for about 25 years. As the family grew from 4 adults with 9 kids (total) to 18 adults and 10 kids, the need to expand was clear. We found Jim Schriner's Highland Architectural Design firm simply by walking around the area and seeing his designs. We saw in his work a unique ability to merge the new with the existing. He began by asking what our needs were - how we used the house, how often we were their, what the priorities were. He delivered some preliminary ideas for the owners (who are spread all over the US) to consider. He refined the initial ideas and after careful consideration as to the site conditions and potentials, came up wirth a proposal that was 180 degrees away from what we had thought we wanted, but which turned out to be a much better and effective idea than any we had considered among ourselves. Once the final plans were agreed upon, Jim helped us find a contractor to do the work. When estimates came in, we were delighted to find out that his design was affordable and within our budget. Jim also knew how to get our plans approved expeditiously by the Vernon authorities Since none of us live really close to the house, we were not available to be present to oversee the work, except upon occasion. Jim visited the site frequently, and in effect acted as site manager for us. Doing construction is always difficult, but doing it long-distance is even more difficult. Jim was our salvation. The outcome: 5 years later, we remain thrilled with the work. As the family continues to grow, we can be assured that our vacation house will remain a gathering place for family get-togethers and reunions for years to come. And since some of the original owners are retired, we're spending more time than ever there. We would recommend him to anyone!

For anyone thinking about construction or reno, Highland Architectural and Jim are the best. Great advice and an eye for what will make the space look great. Have used Jim for a few projects including a bump out/expansion, kichen reno, sunroom and deck. He listens, asks good questions and comes up with a design that really works and looks great. Very responsive and easy to work with. Highly recommended!

Jim Schriner at Highland Architectural Design came to our aid when we were converting a small cabin on a lakefront in Highland Lakes in into a three bedroom plus den house that we could live in year round. We needed a full-size modern kitchen to replace the small galley of the cabin. Jim added on a dinette area with a bay window looking out over the lake; we invited him to add a loft above the dinette. Our architect proved to be a masterful designer and craftsman, able to introduce many creative, artistic touches that made this house extraordinarily attractive and liveable. For example, he enclosed the chimney into the kitchen, adding a rustic touch. At the landing of the stairs going up to the second floor he opened the view from the living room through to the far end of the house utilizing a railing from which one could look down on the open dining room/living room. It was delightful to work with Jim, for he has an ability to listen to the owner's ideas and to incorporate them into the design, along with his own artistic skills. We will always remember the creation of the Lake House as one of the great adventures of our lives!

We purchased a small lake front home in Highland Lakes area and wanted an addition put on including a 2 car garage, photography/music studio and half bathroom. Our contractor recommended Highland Archectural Design. Jim Schriner did a wonderful job. The plans were completed in a timely fashion. Additional items, such as a balcony and extra front windows, were added with out a problem. Jim appeared at the Land Use Board meeting when zoning issues arose from the lake/septic proximity. He designed an entranceway to the home and studio with interior stairs, eliminating the inconvenient exterior stairs. The addition compliments the existing structure and blends in with the other houses in the neighborhood. We enjoy the added space and comfort.

We engaged Highland Architectural Design to renovate our small Lakeview cabin. We had retired and would be living in the house full time for six months a year, before heading south for the winter. The new pattern of use changed our needs. Jim Schriner, HAD's principal, spent many hours on site with us to determine our expectations, before he put pencil to paper. The cabin had been cozy, dark, and small, with low ceilings and now we wanted to open up the space, let in lots of light, create a loft play space for our four grandsons, and still maintain a woodsy feeling, and maximize our view of the lake. We wanted to maintain the existing kitchen and bath and master bedroom, while removing everything in-between. This was a complicated project, on a difficult sloping site. Jim prepared some sketches of the new exterior, and we talked some more. We found him to be creative and a very good listener. He was responsive to our needs, concerns and questions. When we settled on the final design, we felt that Jim had successfully translated what we felt we wanted into a very creative, indeed, dramatically beautiful design, that appeared to be exactly what we wanted. Once we engaged our contractor, Jim maintained an active engagement with him as construction proceeded. While we never asked him to do so, he visited the construction site frequently. The job turned out spectacularly. As we've lived in the space we love it more and more each year. Our grandsons love the huge loft. We love the comfiness and openness. It could not have happened without Highland Architectural Design.