ARCHITECT

ARCHITECTS REFERRAL SERVICE

Get cost estimates for architect from qualified contractors.

• Architect Credentialed architect to design structure or remodel.
• Architect - Landscape Credentialed landscape architect.
• Engineer - Soil Not for gardening, but for structure support.
• Engineer - Structural Credentialed structural engineer to review situation.

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Architects are where home and remodeling design begin. An architect can design a home from scratch by using your ideas and seeing the land the home will be built on. Architects usually can provide layouts you may not have thought about yourself. It is equally important to employ an architect when performing any significant remodeling to your home. You may know that you want to move a wall or enlarge a room. But only an architect can help you determine what dimensions the new room should be, what structural and engineering requirements will need to be met, and how it will affect other aspects of your home, such as heating and cooling, etc. Architects are trained and licensed in engineering standards so they can ensure that the design of a home or a remodel will be structurally sound. Many architect firms have structural engineers on staff to assist in this capacity.

One of the biggest myths in the building and renovating industry is that an architect is a waste of money. The saying goes on to imply that, with the thousands of plans available on the market, why would you pay for an architect? The reason this line of thinking goes on is because few people actually realize what an architect does for a client. In the basic sense of the word an architect translates the dreams of the homeowner into workable plans for the contractor.

Architects are not cranked out of trade schools by the dozens they are university educated in both design and engineering. For each project he or she must configure a workable set of plans taking into consideration the building codes of the area along with the structural and mechanical concerns required for the building. In a renovation there is always the old clashing with the new. An architect must understand how the old building was constructed and what is the best method to mesh the two technologies together while maintaining the continuity of the design.

When an architectural firm is commissioned an architect is assigned to the project depending on the type of build or remodel and the experience. The property is scrutinized for the best possible structure. In recent times, with energy prices skyrocketing, new "green" themes must be introduced like the positioning of the building to gain the most heat advantage from the sun or, in warm climates, the best reflective possibilities to help the air conditioning system. These aspects save the homeowner in energy costs.

An architect also has to design according to the covenants of the area. Many neighborhoods have stringent rules like: brick-face fronts, paving stone driveways and clay shingle roofs. All of these concerns are taken into consideration when designing the home.

Architects are also involved in the hiring process. Since they design the projects they also have a good idea of the costs and problems that might occur during the building process if an inexperienced contracting firm is hired. Detailed plans are given to the contenders so that the bid will be fair.

During construction the architect is available to make inspections and, if necessary, to make alterations. This is can be very important if a client decides to change something during the process. In fact the architect is the client's partner even after the keys are handed over to make sure that the home or renovation does not have any problems.

And the cost? Many architectural firms work on a percentage while others have fixed costs. Consider this as an insurance cost that will make the build go perfectly. Because in the long run architects save you money.