1. Architects can save you money. Depending on the project, design and engineering fees can range from 2 - 8% of the total cost of construction. More often than not, the general population worries about the smaller percentage of the project costs (hiring the architect) not realizing that the architect can save them significant money on the 92 - 98% of the project through good design, planning and material specification.
2. Architects have the best understanding of local and international building codes. Architects have been trained heavily and must maintain their licenses through continiuing education learning units relating to local and international building codes.
3. Measure twice cut once. We have all heard the saying "measure twice cut once". That is essentially what you are doing by hiring an architect. You are ensuring that your vision for your project gets carried out in an elegant and professional manner with fewer problems during construction.
4. Architects have a better understanding of the local building and planning departments. We deal with the local building departments on a daily basis. We know who to talk to get an answer to our question.
5. Architects can guide you through the design and building process. Architects have extensive experience working with contractors and understand not only the design process but the construction process of a project.
If you have any further questions please contact Ken Bartlett at (775) 786-6688.
Many people don't realize that architects have the power to save them money over the life of a construction project. Good design and engineering translates into money saved on a project whether commercial or residential. For instance, there are many different types and styles of roofing that can be specified on a project. The architect has first hand knowledge of the different types and styles and what those materials cost and how much it will be to install. Hiring a good architect can save you money over the long term of a project.
Do Your Residential Homework
If you are about to embark on building a custom home, what do you need to know?
I have developed a list of the top 5 questions to ask oneself prior to interviewing architects for the project, they are:
1. What is your budget for design fees (hiring an architect) and construction?
More often than not clients will come to me without a budget in mind for design fees and construction. It helps to know what you can afford prior to sitting down with an architect or contractor.
2. What is your time frame for completing the plans and construction?
Good design takes time. Clients need to allow time for designing the home of their dreams. It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to obtain a permitted set of plans once you have hired an architect. This time can vary depending on the complexity of the home and the building department where the home is located. It can take as little as 6 months or as much as 2 ½ years to build a custom home, depending on the complexity of the home.
3. How do you want your home to look when it is completed?
Do you envision a certain look or style for your future home? A good idea is to look through home magazines or do some research online. One of the first things I tell clients is to clip out images that peak their interest. It could be an image of a faucet in a bathroom or the entire look of a bathroom that they like. Whatever it is, these images not only assist the architect but help the client visualize the home of their dreams.
4. What level of finishes and materials do you want to use?
This goes along with the previous question.
- Do you want granite or Corian countertops?
- Do you want hardwood flooring or tile?
- Do you want solid core doors or solid wood doors?
It can save you time and money if you have an idea of the finishes and materials you would like in your home before sitting down with an architect.
5. Do you have a contractor in mind?
It is not a necessity, but selecting a contractor soon after hiring an architect can be beneficial to the design process. Design ideas can be bounced off the contractor for feasibility of construction. Involving the contractor early in the design process can also greatly benefit the building process with fewer questions from the contractor during construction.
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For more information about Custom Home Building, contact Ken Bartlett with Bartlett Architecture, Inc. - Phone: (775) 786-6688
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Getting a Leg Up.
Have you purchased a custom home lot and want to start interviewing potential architects for your project? A great way to help the process go more smoothly is to know what to ask your architect.
I have developed a list of the top 5 questions to ask your architect in an interview, they are:
1. Do you have experience designing custom homes?
Your architect may have a lot of experience but is it the right kind of experience? They may have experience designing commercial or industrial projects but custom homes are a different animal. They should have at least 5 years of experience designing custom homes. Often times, residential projects require more hands on service with the client as this may be their first time working with an architect.
2. Do you have experience working with Design Review Committees?
Most custom home lots are located within communities that have CC & R's or design review committees. The process of submitting and reviewing plans with a design review committee can be very daunting if your architect has never worked within the requirements of CC & R's or design review committees?
3. Do you have time to devote to this project?
What is the current work load of the architect you are interviewing? They could be great at designing custom homes but do they have the time to devote to your project. Ask your architect to produce a time line for completion of the plans.
4. Do you have a list of related residential projects and references?
Your architect should have a list of residential projects comparable to yours and references to go with those projects.
5. Do you design in a particular style?
Many architects design in the same style and many times it’s in their own style. Upon review of some of their projects do they tend to look all the same? You want an architect that can leave their ego at the door and take into consideration your needs in the design process.
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For more information about Residential Architecture or Custom Home Development, contact Ken Bartlett with Bartlett Architecture, Inc. - Phone: (775) 786-6688
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