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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