The desire for a custom home is one many dream about. You can choose it all, down to the kitchen design and what you see out your bedroom window. But as reality draws near, looming, expensive questions are raised: Do you really need to hire an architect?
It is simple to believe you can save a lot of money by skipping this step. Maybe you know someone who is a builder or you have found some plans you prefer on the internet. Is that the best option? Let us break down what precisely an architect does and help you decide whether they are a worthwhile investment for your project or not.
Isn’t an Architect Just an Overpriced Artist
It’s a misconception that architects merely sketch up pretty but unrealistic plans. In truth, they are very highly educated, licensed professionals who get to do a whole lot more than just scribble down a pretty picture.
What Does an Architect Do?
Your architect is your master designer, problem-solver, and technical expert all rolled into one. He or she is professionally licensed to translate your vision, your lifestyle, your family needs, and your aesthetic into a dream home design that is safe, functional, and code-permissible.
Think of them as the translator between your vision and the builder’s hammer. They consider matters you might not, like how the sun will hit your living room in winter months, how to achieve maximum ventilation during a sweltering summer day, and how to create a floor plan that will adapt to your growing family.
Can’t I Just Use a Designer or a Stock Plan Instead?
Yes, you do have options, but you need to be aware of the trade-offs. Choosing the right professional is all about the size of your project and how custom you want your house to be.
Architect vs. Designer vs. Draftsperson: What’s the Real Difference?
The three distinctions are licensure, education, and legal liability. An architect has undergone intensive education and a rigorous licensing test, allowing them to accept legal responsibility for the design and stability of a building. A building designer could be talented at design but typically lacks the same degree of formal education and cannot lawfully sign plans in most places. Draftsperson is a technical professional who translates a design into construction documents but does not necessarily carry out the original creative or problem-solving.
When Would a Stock Plan Be Sufficient?
A stock plan is an option if your building ground is level and straightforward, your needs are fairly standard, and you have no issue with a design that is not fully unique. You can buy these pre-drawn floor designs on the internet and have a constructor install them.
But the cost savings can be illusory. If your land is sloping, challenging soil, or irregularly shaped, a stock plan will require expensive modifications. And these plans are not going to maximize your particular views or site amenities, which is literally one of the principal reasons for building a custom home in the first place.
When Is an Architect a Non-Negotiable Requirement?
Sometimes, the choice is made for you legally. Whether you need an architect is not entirely your choice; it could be your necessity by law in order to carry out your project.
Cracking the Local Rules and Regulations
Nearly every state and city requires, by law, an architect’s license to draw and sign off on your house plans. Especially if the house is above a certain square footage, two stories, or if it’s located in a particularly environmentally sensitive or dangerous area like a coastline or earthquake zone.
Before you even raise a finger, you must call your city building department. They will let you know the particular requirements for handling the building permit procedure. Trying to cut corners on these laws regarding zoning and building codes will destroy your project stone dead.
What’s the Real Value an Architect Brings to the Table?
Other than the stamps and drawings, a quality architect is providing you with massive value that can save your investment, save you headaches, and result in an infinitely improved home.
Believe It or Not, They Can Actually Save You Money
Yes, a good architect can end up saving you a lot of money in the long term. They do what’s called value engineering, getting creative about how you can get your desired look and function for less. They can design an extremely energy-efficient house, saving your utility bill for decades. However, it’s even better to hire an electrical estimator. Their precise, accurate plans also enable builders to give more competitive and accurate bids, cutting the risk of hidden costs and costly change orders during construction.
They Are Your Advocate and Project Manager
Your architect acts on your behalf at the construction site. Once your home is being constructed, they perform what is called construction administration. That entails visiting the site to ensure the contractor is building to the plans exactly as you contracted, with the materials specified, and up to quality standards. If there is a problem, they coordinate with the contractor to correct it, standing in your behalf and asserting to get you the house you paid for.
Should You Still Be Worried About the Cost?
It is a valid concern, but it is good to consider it in terms of it being an investment in the quality and success of your largest financial asset.
Getting to Know How Architect Fees Function
Architect fees are typically given in one of three formats: as a percentage of the total construction cost (typically 8-15%), fixed fee, or hourly. And trust us, it does sound like a lot of money, but it’s worth it for your peace of mind, professional answers, and a home that is created exactly for you and your site.
Outside the Home: A Look at Commercial Projects
The building design capabilities are scalable and grow in significance on bigger and more complicated projects.
How does This Expertise scale up for Larger Buildings?
The principles of design, management of the project, and regulatory compliance scale up exponentially for business enterprises like offices, shopping malls, or hospitals. The internal infrastructure is very complicated. As an example, accurate MEP estimating (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) is absolutely essential for a commercial building’s budget and future operation. In this industry, a great architect will usually work in a larger design-build firm to coordinate dozens of specialists, ensuring all systems function in harmony.
Final Verdict
Although you can perhaps put a simple house together without an architect, if you are putting a genuine custom house together one that is truly you and exactly right for its place, then an architect is not something to be indulged in, something to splurge on. They’re a required partner in bringing the dream of a successful, lovely, and long-lasting reality.
