Home Improvement

You do not need to design your home from scratch requires an architect. If you make structural changes to your home at all, whether it is an addition, remodel or add new floor, an architect must be the first person you are calling. An architect can do a lot of the same services but also the contractor will be able to incorporate the changes into the overall design of the house. Although some contractors have an eye for design, the architect has had extensive training in the form of mixing and function. When you bring them in at the beginning of the project, it can save you from an aesthetic disaster that could hurt the resale value of your home.

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR AN ARCHITECT

Here are three main functions of an architect to do when working on residential projects:

DESIGN

An architect will help you plan your project and come up with designs. A good design will take your needs, style and structure of the current building site into consideration. Expect an architect to ask and consider such questions as: What are the traffic patterns in your home and how this project fits with them? How does your family use in the new addition? Where the sun rises and sets and how the light enters the room? Where are the neighbors? Was this building built in 1980 or 1890? An architect will ensure that era, materials and rooflines match. There’s nothing worse than a colonial house with additional modernist or otherwise.

COORDINATION

After the designs have been created, the architect will coordinate and manage projects from beginning to end. It begins by asking for bids from contractors, helping to review the quotes before hiring someone to do the job and including dovetailing the work of all those who contributed to the final project. Architects will oversee the job because of the progress to ensure that everything goes according to plan as far as quality, time and budget is concerned.

KEEPING IT LEGAL

Architect you will obtain the necessary permits and ensure that all local building codes and bylaws were observed. They will also conduct the final inspection. An architect must be accredited and licensed by the state after completing a five-year master’s degree program architecture or architecture, while no formal education required for the contractor. An architect is professionally liable for the soundness of the work.

HOW DO I FIND AN ARCHITECT?

Finding an architect is not as simple as opening a phone book. Designing a building is an art, so look around for buildings and homes that you love, then talk to the owner and find out who the architect. See if you can afford them! If you have to go without a recommendation, meet with prospective architects and look for values that mesh with yours, common philosophies and good chemistry. The project design should be a collaborative effort – your architect should be someone you can work with.