Jerryn J McCray, Architect in Baltimore: Residential and Small Commercial Design

Jerryn J McCray is a solo architect licensed in Maryland who works primarily on residential renovations, new homes, and small commercial projects across Baltimore and its suburbs. The practice emphasizes close collaboration with clients through the full design process, from initial concept through construction administration, rather than handling only the front-end design phase.

What McCray actually does

McCray's scope covers full architectural services: site analysis, schematic design, detailed drawings, specification writing, and on-site oversight during construction. The work leans toward residential, particularly renovation and addition projects in older Baltimore neighborhoods where code compliance, structural assessment, and period-appropriate detailing matter. Small commercial work includes professional offices and tenant improvements. Projects are typically handled one or two at a time, allowing for sustained involvement rather than hand-off after permit drawings.

Services and how much they cost

Architectural fees operate on a percentage-of-construction-cost basis, standard for residential work, ranging from 8 to 15 percent depending on project complexity and scope. A gut renovation of a rowhouse in Federal Hill or Canton, running $300,000 to $500,000 in construction cost, would typically generate fees in the $24,000 to $75,000 range. Smaller projects or consultations are negotiated individually. Initial consultations are typically complimentary; McCray can assess whether full architectural services make sense for a given scope. Confirm current fee structures directly, as they may shift with market conditions.

How McCray compares to other Baltimore architects

Baltimore has a mix of large firms (Ayers Saint Gross, Cho Benn Holback) that handle institutional and large commercial work, mid-sized practices focused on residential and small commercial, and solo practitioners. McCray's model differs from large firms in scope and accessibility; a homeowner renovating a rowhouse can expect direct contact with the architect, not delegation to junior staff. Compared to other solo practices like Muse Architects or smaller partnerships, McCray's emphasis on construction administration (site visits and oversight, not just drawings) is a practical distinction. For a straightforward addition or renovation, a solo architect's lower overhead may mean lower fees than a 10-person firm; for complex commercial or institutional work, those larger firms have the team depth to manage scope.

Choose McCray for owner-occupied residential work where you want the same architect who designed your project to see it built and solve problems in real time. Choose a larger firm if your project is institutional, highly complex, or requires specialized consultants (structural, MEP) managed under one roof.

Who this suits and who it does not

McCray suits Baltimore homeowners renovating or adding to existing houses, particularly in neighborhoods with historic district guidelines where detailed knowledge of precedent and code matters. It works well for clients who can meet regularly during design and want to be deeply involved in decisions. It does not suit investors doing multiple spec projects who need a vendor relationship, or developers needing fast permitting with minimal back-and-forth. It is not the fit for new commercial construction at scale or institutional clients requiring the resources of a larger practice.

What the first visit involves

An initial meeting typically includes a walk-through of the site, a discussion of goals and constraints (budget, timeline, code issues), and an understanding of what drawings and approvals you'll need. McCray will assess whether the project requires full architectural services or whether a consultant role (reviewing contractor drawings, for example) would be more cost-effective. This clarity upfront avoids overengineering small projects. The meeting results in a clear scope and fee proposal before any billable work begins.

Hours, location, and how to connect

McCray operates by appointment; this is not a walk-in practice. Meetings are held at the office or at your project site, depending on what makes sense for the initial consultation. There is no published storefront location or phone line. Contact through professional referral networks or the Maryland Board of Architects is the typical path; confirm licensing status and past projects through the state board's records if you're evaluating fit.

McCray's practice reflects a disappearing model in architecture: the solo licensed professional who stays involved from first sketch to final inspection. For Baltimore homeowners serious about renovation quality and willing to be collaborative partners in design, this approach often produces stronger results than larger-firm efficiency.