The value of using an architect for your design work

On larger remodels, building custom homes and even landscaping projects, there is the need for legitimate design work. Depending on the jurisdiction, residential designs can be drawn up by anyone as long as all the criteria and requirements from the municipality or County are met. This is by no means an easy task, is time consuming, and requires a wider knowledge base than anticipated .

Other consultants are generally brought in to meet all the basic building minimums such as electrical, mechanical, civil, and landscape or site standards. All these drawings, no matter who draws them, are required to follow local codes and RBC or residential building code.

Generally speaking the quality of the design work directly affects the building process, time line, efficiency in project management and the general (quality) outcome. The best or most efficient projects typically follow the professional line i.e. with an architect.

When you use an architect, not only is the work performed at a higher caliber but in the long run the client is more likely to make a better resale profit. The home generally performs better in all aspects, is more comfortable and above all is balanced between an economy of space and fluidity in layout. Ideally everything seems to fit right, looks great, flows smoothly from room to room, and is definitely well organized when an architect is on board.

Many design-build remodeling contractors have in-house designers or collaborate with them on projects. You can use a trained designer or an architect to do the schematics. The more skilled and trained the designer is the more controllable the engineer costs are. Anybody can design something if they have the skill, the software and some training.

The question becomes, how well is it designed and how much engineering will it take to satisfy both the builder and the planning department. Structural changes will require engineering calculations and a final sign-off on the designs

On large complex remodels, there are usually unforeseen issues and client driven change-orders that require additional design work, engineering & permitting. The level of skill of the designer can make those situations process much more smoothly for all the parties involved.

Selecting the right professionals to plan, draw and build your new home or remodel may be the most important step you take to ensure that your project goes smoothly. Today there are more options than ever when it comes to design professionals, which means the selection process can become a time consuming and sometimes daunting task.

Whether you decide to you decide to hire one person to design your project and another to build it, or if you find one firm to do it all, you will need professionals who understand the nature of your project and can best serve your individual needs. The more time spent during the hiring and planning phases, the fewer problems you should encounter during building and completion.

Residential Remodeling and Building

In residential remodeling and in some cases building custom homes, there are a lot of unknowns. Most consumers don't know what construction costs are, what all the design and permitting steps entail or even know why they will need an architect vs. an engineer.

Many times the consumer has a vague idea of a concept they would like to have changed on their home. So, they call a builder. And, that builder, then has to bring the design team to the project. There is no way to provide an accurate estimate with out proper construction documents. Without proper plans, blueprints and material specs, all a contractor can do is give a "Guesstimate" based on past experiences with similar projects. This is not a accurate way to get a complex remodel budgeted or built.

Some questions to keep in mind during this process

• How well does the design professional understand your budget, timing and availability?
• Does their portfolio of past projects complement your personal taste?
• Can the design professional provide recent customer references?
• How much involvement do you want in the building/remodeling process?
• Do you feel comfortable with the design professional?
• How much engineering will be required to finalize the design so it can be approved by the building permit department?
• And in a sustainable building environment, does this person have the experience to met the goals of the project?

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The foundation of any construction project is rooted in the concept and design stages. The concept stage, is one of the major steps in a project life cycle, as it has the largest impact on cost and performance. In designing environmentally optimal buildings, the objective function aims at minimizing the total environmental impact associated with all life-cycle stages of the building project.

THE DESIGN PROCESS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AND REMODELING

1. Schematic Design (SD’s) The first stage in the industry is called Schematic Design or the conceptual stage. Here the designer works with the client’s ideas, wishes, and boundaries then transforms these into unified logical concepts. Often more than one is generated to illustrate all the possibilities and provide the client with some ideas they may not have thought about previously.
2. Design Development (DD’s) Once a concept is chosen or several are combined into one, the design team proceeds to develop the concept into greater detail. (i.e. Design Development) This stage is far more complex and typically requires the input from other professions.
3. Construction Documents (CD’s) For permitting, bidding and construction a set of “construction documents”are necessary which generally entails a set of construction plans with specifications. They are referred to as blue prints or set of plans. With these in hand an accurate estimate can be generated, banks can provide construction loans, and contractors can begin to build off of these plans once the permits are issued.

ARCHITECT DRIVEN DESIGN WORK

LOCAL CODES

Depending on the jurisdiction, residential designs can be drawn up by anyone as long as all the criteria and requirements from the municipality or County are met. This is by no means an easy task, is time consuming, and requires a wider knowledge base than anticipated.

THE SIZE OF THE NEW HOME OR PROJECT

New homes greater than 4,000 square feet are required to be drawn by a registered architect in this State. Many architects prefer to defer the structural calculations and specific details to an engineer.

SPECIALTY TRADES

Other consultants are generally brought in to meet all the basic building minimums such as electrical, mechanical, civil, and landscape or site standards. All these drawings, no matter who draws them, are required to follow local codes and the residential building code.

THE DESIGN AFFECTS THE END RESULT

Generally speaking the quality of the design work directly affects the building process, time line, efficiency in project management and the general (quality) outcome. The best or most efficient projects typically follow the professional line, i.e. with an architect.

BETTER PERFORMANCE AND RESALE VALUE

Not only is the work performed at a higher caliber using proper architecture produced construction documents, but in the long run the client is more likely to make a better resale profit. The home generally performs better in all aspects, is more comfortable and above all is balanced between an economy of space and fluidity in layout.

THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Ideally everything seems to fit right, looks great, flows smoothly from room to room, and is definitely well organized when an architect is on board. Read the blogs on this subject for more insights if you are planning to build.


Authors: Markthor and Chris

Arch-Eco Design
Cascadia Design Build
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