Choosing an architect can be extremely difficult or as easy as apple pie
provided that you ask the right questions, check his or her work, fees,
and time schedules.Q. What does a residential designer or architect
need from me before providing me with a set of plans.
A. Any good residential designer or architect needs several things from
you. In no order of importance, a wish list, budget (the total amount your
home will cost, not just design time), sketches (the more there are, the
better), agreement from you and your spouse, if any, as to the style and
features to be incorporated into your new home. The most important thing a
designer or architect will need is your style preference (symmetrical or
asymmetrical) as this one answer will tell the designer or architect which
way to go. Symmetrical simply means balanced or mirrored about the center.
Example: If there are three windows spaced 10' apart on the left side of
the door, then there will also be three windows spaced 10' apart on the
right side of the door. Asymmetrical simply means no balance.
Q. Do I really need an architect to design my own home?
A. No, you certainly do not, however you will probably need the
services of some various professionals.
Q. If I choose not to use an architect, what services will I need from
various professionals?
A. The most prominent service that you will need from a professional is
someone to provide you with a set of specifications (plans). Plans can be
drawn up by anyone who understands building codes and has the ability to
hand draw a set of prints or the ability and software to produce a set via
computer. Plans produced on a computer are made on software called
Computer Aided design & drafting software (CADD). The most prominent
software and certainly the oldest known manufacturer is Autodesk. Autodesk
makes AutoCAD. Autodesk has been making AutoCAD software for over twenty
years now. The present version allows designers to model your home in
three dimensions and to render your new home using very life like walk
through animations.
Q. I decided to contract with an individual to make my plans using CADD
but he/she is from out of state. Is this a good choice?
A. Maybe, it depends on how familiar the designer is with your
particular local building codes. The key is to choose a designer who is
familiar with or willing to work with your local code officials in
providing you with a set of approvable plans. Each set of plans that the
designer provides to you is at an additional cost. Though most designers
charge up to $200.00 for a complete set of plans, the cost to produce
those plans is under $25.00. Negotiate a price for each set of plans up
front to avoid these unnecessarily high charges.
Q. How do I know which architect will provide me with artists sketches
that are in keeping with what I visualize my home to be.
A. The most important answer to a home design question is this one.
Find out what the architect's own preferred style of architecture is. I
say that this is the most important answer because the architect that you
choose can make or break your architectural design time. If you wanted say
a cape cod designed and the architect that you chose specialized in neo
classical, then your architect will waste many hours on designs that just
do not appeal to you.
