Top 3 Reasons to Hire An Architect
We often find that people do not understand what an Architect actually does. Years of HGTV and its multiple “designers” have muddied the waters as to how construction really works and who you need to consult. Architects are licensed professionals trained in the art and science of building design. There are many reasons to hire an Architect to help you out on your construction project. But the top three are: 1) we save you money; 2) we make the construction process easier for you; and 3) we provide creative solutions to complex problems. Here are some examples:
1. Save you Money
Build it On Paper First: Architects plan your project with you. It stands to reason that it is much cheaper to build something on paper (or nowadays, in the cloud) than to build it with bricks and mortar. We have seen some very costly tear outs that had to happen because of lack of planning. Additionally, thorough architectural drawings make it easier for the contractor to give you an accurate price a project. A good set of drawings also avoids stops and starts that happen if the contractor has to ask lots of questions during construction.
Smaller Energy Bills: Sometimes if you spend a little more during construction you can save much, much more as time goes on. The amount and type of insulation that you choose to put into your building has very long-term consequences. Of course, there can be more to saving on your energy bills than just adding insulation. Architects can help you choose the appropriate heating/cooling systems to work with your location. Sometimes even the choice of where to locate your building on your lot can have a lasting effect on your energy bills. An Architect can design a building to maximize heating from the sun in the winter and cooling from shade and wind in the summer.
Less is More: Some lumber yards offer free drawings if you buy your materials from them. Very often these homes are larger than you need them to be. An Architect has no reason to “over design”, in fact we try to be as efficient as possible with less space. This saves you money right up front. In fact, reducing square footage is the best way to keep your budget down.
2. Make Construction Easier
Obeying the Codes: Building or renovating a building is a very big proposition. Nowadays there are building codes, fire codes, accessibility codes, energy codes and zoning codes - to name a few - that must be followed. There is also a lot of paperwork. Your Architect has experience and knowledge about the process and the codes that can help to streamline these many processes. She’ll know the path to take for permitting; getting a contractor; and getting permits from the fire inspector. If there is something that she doesn’t know she’ll have the contacts and resources to get things done.
Working with Your Contractor: The Architect and the General Contractor are both fluent in the language of “construction.” So, your Architect can act as an interpreter when things get tricky. She can review bids from contractors and help you understand what is included in each one. She can make sure that all aspects of the work have been included in the bid and that allowances in the bid are fair to all involved.
Parts and Pieces: The Architect is the person who coordinates all of the other designers and engineers on your team. She spearheads compromises when a plumbing chase conflicts with an exhaust hood chase. She researches substitute materials when a manufacturer suddenly goes out of business. She helps find fair solutions when a contractor inadvertently omits a window. These items happen more frequently than you would imagine. It saves you ( and your contractor) a lot of headache to hand this over to your Architect.
3. Provide Creative Solutions
Architects are trained to solve problems in creative ways. With our broad knowledge of design and construction, we can show you alternative options you might never think of on your own. We also develop new ways of using these existing buildings - turning an old matchstick factory into retail spaces and apartments and getting tax credits to do it; locating your painting studio to take advantage of the quality of light; or simply turning 2 large bedrooms into 3. We’ve got you.
Views: Do you want to maximize your views of the countryside while at the same time protecting your privacy? We can show you different ways to accomplish this.
Maintenance: Your Architect is also always thinking about the long-term maintenance needs of your project. Sometimes, maintenance needs come up faster than we’d like. Thinking about these things as you are drawing saves headaches later on.
During Construction: No one knows your building like the person who designed it. So, it is often a good idea to have your Architect act as your representative during the actual construction time. We can quickly modify items when a problem arises. We can approve payment requests and review additional items that you may want to add.
Bang for Your Buck: If your budget is low and you still want a polished look your Architect can figure out where to standarize and where to customize to make the most of the space.
Need More Room?: Often times when we think that we need to move to accommodate an expanding business or family, we can enlarge your building so that you don’t have to go to the trouble of moving.
Expanding Business: It’s hard to know how fast your business is going to grow. An architect can design an office that meets your needs today and can be altered for whatever happens next.