#Architect design partnership how to

A major remodel is an intensive, costly process that requires you to make a lot of decisions on things you may have little knowledge about.

You’re uncomfortable making building choices on your own.

Sometimes what seems like a square-footage shortage is really a circulation problem that can be solved with a few alterations. Even the smallest houses often have underutilized areas that can be reconfigured and brought back into daily use. Before adding to your house, a good architect will ensure you are making the most of all existing space.

You feel squeezed, but don’t want an addition.

In cases like these, a good architect can help you sort through the possibilities and come up with creative improvements that fit you, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Or you need another bathroom, but every square inch of your house is accounted for. Maybe your laundry room in the upstairs hallway creates a traffic jam every time you open the door.

#Architect design partnership how to

You have a problem with your house and have no idea how to solve it.

Here’s how to tell if you want an architect-or at least, an experienced architectural designer. Architects are trained to see the possibilities in every structure and are experts at translating those possibilities into detailed plans that your builder can execute with precision. What many people-particularly homeowners planning “just a few tweaks”-don’t realize, however, is how difficult it can be to adapt an existing home to meet new expectations. You might consider any one of the above individuals to help you in designing your remodel. Like designers, drafters often work alongside licensed architects or builders. They can produce the drawings you will need to build, but usually only after the design is established. Design-build firms offer both architectural design and construction services under one roof some are led by architects, and some have architects on staff.Ī draftsperson puts your plans on paper. Many builders also offer home design services, and some offer the services of a dedicated, on-staff designer. They may work on their own or in association with a licensed architect. Like architects, architectural designers (sometimes just called designers) have studied and practiced architectural design-some for many years-but are not licensed. All of this ensures architects possess a high level of expertise about design, materials, and building systems. To obtain a license, an architect generally must earn a degree from an approved architectural program, complete an internship, and pass an exam. What sets architects apart from other people who design homes is that they are licensed by the states in which they practice. But then there is another question you might ask, ‘Do I really want to?’ In all these situations, you could get by without an architect. You typically can, that is, if you or your builder have a talent for design, if you have a clear idea what you want, and if you (or your builder, or someone you know) can produce plans that satisfy your local building authorities. You can certainly complete a masterful remodel-even a large one-without an architect’s help.

In this DIY world, an architect is often seen as a luxury-and can be a costly one at that. One of these questions usually is: Should I hire an architect? It can also raise many questions beyond design and other choices, such as what tile to use on the new bathroom floor. Whether you’re adding a bath, enlarging a kitchen or doubling the size of your house with an addition, remodeling usually involves money, lots of planning, and often more than a little stress. If you want to stay in your home as your life progresses, you’ll probably consider remodeling. The fact is, our lives change-but our houses don’t, at least not on their own. Does a new addition to your family have you thinking of a new addition for your house? Has your home business outgrown your kitchen table? Or maybe you need to open your home to an elderly relative who can’t navigate the stairs of your center-hall colonial.