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Before you
even start looking for an architect, it is a good idea to sketch
out your imaginary plan so that you have a rough idea of what
your “must-haves” are and what your “it would be nice to haves”
include. By doing this you can get an idea of how many rooms you
want, if you want a formal dining room or a “great room” that
combines the kitchen and family room and dining room into one
large communal area. Think about the style of the house you want
and whether you want one level or a multi-storied house. Do you
want balconies upstairs or fireplaces – if so, how many and
where? How many bedrooms do you want? How many bathrooms? Do you
want one master bedroom or several masters rather than smaller
bedrooms and separate baths?
These are some of the
questions that an architect will ask along with many more, so if
you do your homework ahead of time and decide some of the
basics, it will make it easier once you sit down with someone
and start articulating what you want. If you already have
sketches – they don’t have to be pretty or accurate – but will
at least give an architect a good idea of what your base needs
are, then he or she can take it from there and start to draw up
more
 formal
plans. Once the basics are completed you will then start getting
into the specific types of doors, windows, molding, and
flooring; just to name a few of the decisions that will be
necessary later on.
Referrals are always a good place to
start to look for an architect – especially from friends,
neighbors, coworkers or relatives who are people that you know
and trust. Realtors and builders are other places to look or
online directories where you can search by specialty as well as
location. If you require a special renovation such as the
restoration of a historical house, you can seek help from the
local historical society if one is available. Remember that this
is a huge undertaking and one that you want to do right, so take
your time in choosing the right architect. One who will
work well with you and is able to accomplish your vision.
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consultation from an A
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Once you have some prospective architects,
you should verify their licensing and other credentials
determining whether they are a
registered architect or a certified building designer which has
different educational and training disciplines depending upon
what you are looking for. Interviews are essential for many
reasons. You should interview at least three to give you a range
of bids and individuals to choose from. When interviewing the
prospective architect you should first determine that you can
effectively communicate with this individual – that should be a
huge consideration maybe even more than budget. You need to
ensure that the architect is one that truly understands your
desires and that he will work with you to ensure that you are
100% satisfied.
You also need to hear if the architect
has done similar projects and you should ask to talk to some
referrals and preferably be allowed to look at the work that
this architect has done for them. This gives you a look at the
work performed but it also gives you the opportunity to discuss
how well the architect did on the job. Was it performed on time
and within budget? Were there any complications or setbacks that
occurred that could have been avoided? Was the architect honest
and easy to communicate with?
 What
was his ability to make changes or suggest changes that might
benefit the owners? Were the owners completely satisfied with
the architect’s design and the final construction of their home?
Each architect will have a different approach and a unique style
that will help you to choose the right person. Meeting them in
their office gives you an opportunity to see the type of work
environment that defines his style. An architect should visit
the site of your construction of your new home or your present
home if it is being remodeled to study the site and ascertain
that the design will fit the site without requiring any changes
due to trees or hills or other obstacles that might impact how
the house will be constructed. A professional architect will
readily be able to determine any problems and make suggested
changes that will be to your benefit.
As intimidating as
it is to look for an architect, choosing the right one is much
more important than getting the wrong one that can cause you
endless problems, waste your time and spend your money without
giving you the dream home that you were looking for. It is
essential to get it right the first time and hire someone who is
reputable and will stand behind his work to ensure that your
remodeling project or the construction of your new home goes
smoothly and ends up being exactly what you were looking for.
Take your time and make the right choice – you will be glad you
did!
Projects That Require An Architect
If you are planning to remodel your home, how do you know when you need to hire an architect? Well – it all depends on how much remodeling you are doing, how large your project is and various other factors. In some cases an experienced contractor can handle whatever needs to be done, but in other instances where you are expanding or adding a room to your home, you will probably need an experienced architect but most small remodeling projects will probably not need an architect.
There are actually quite a few options depending upon what your remodeling project involves. Each offers different perspectives based on what area of the home is being renovated: -
Designers who have experience in interior space planning but do not usually have academic training in engineering or architecture. They might or might not be licensed depending on the state you live in. Some work for remodeling contractors and others are independent. Charges usually run $35 - $70 per hour with plans costing approximately $1500. -
Certified Kitchen Designers or CKDs have completed coursework with The National Kitchen & Bath Association and have documented years of experience in designing kitchens. They often work for cabinet or kitchen showrooms or with interior design firms. Charges are usually $40 - $75 per hour with approximately 10 to 20 hours of work to complete plans. Their experienced focus on kitchen plan design, electrical layouts and appliance clearances gives them a unique expertise in this area. -
Certified Bath Designers or CBDs have also completed coursework with The National Kitchen & Bath Association and have documented years of experience in designing bathrooms. They work for bath showrooms or home improvement companies such as Lowe’s or interior design firms. They charge $40 - $70 per hour with plans completed in 10 to 20 hours. They are experienced in space planning allowing for plumbing, electrical and other needs pertinent to bathrooms. -
Certified Interior Designers or ASIDs have had training with the American Society of Interior Designers. They are often used for space planning and interior design but are not generally used for plan drawings. They charge $30 - $75 per hour depending on the project.
Any of these professionals are usually adept at space planning and design for a remodel. If there are any structural changes, such as moving a wall or changes that could affect floors or walls, they would consult with an engineer or an architect.
If you are changing a window opening or redesigning the kitchen without extending a wall or changing the house “structurally” then a contractor can handle this or you might consider a design professional who is not licensed by the state but is trained professionally in space planning or redesign. Some contractors have designers that work for them so that they can offer a complete design and build plan with everything included in the price. Most residential remodels can be handled in this way whereby this team works together and meets with the homeowner to determine the changes that they want made. The contractor and designer then return with a set of initial drawings to be approved by the homeowner. Once approved the contractor will then determine the cost estimate based on the drawings.
The need for an architect is essential when you have complex design problems or you are unsure of the structural stability of an area that is being renovated. A professional architect brings an expertise in building design, engineering and theory that can skillfully see the building from a more complex perspective. The architect’s training makes him look at a project differently than anyone else. They look at the “big picture” rather than just a room extension or redesigned floor layout.
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Another reason to have an architect on a project is that you might need one to get approval from the city in which you reside. Depending on the extent of the remodeling, sometimes architects are required by the city to ensure that all the coded requirements are included in the remodel and are approved by the city once the project is completed. Usually if there is anything that affects the outside of a home such as adding a balcony, a patio cover or moving a wall or extending or adding another room will require authorization and approval by the city to ensure that the work is performed under existing code requirements.
Another reason to have a professional architect is to add justification and authentication to your remodeling. In other words, it offers a stamp of approval that can show the reasons why the changes were made and the process that was taken to complete the project. An architect adds a quality assurance to the project that gives a homeowner a documented path of the aesthetic design and the functional needs. An architect will look to the homeowner to effectively communicate your remodeling desires, your budget and any concerns you have so that he can effectively address them early in the planning process.
Architects are used for pre-design services and site evaluation to ensure that there no costly mistakes made and to provide you with suggested options that you might not have thought of. They can also serve as a project manager to the contractor and crew to ensure that the construction goes smoothly in keeping with code and/or zoning requirements. However, it is not entirely necessary as long as the contractor is reputable and you are able to communicate effectively. It is important, however, to have someone who serves as project manager.
While an architect’s fees can be expensive, in the long run hiring an architect should save you money particularly if you only use one for the plan design. The architect’s plan can help reduce maintenance and energy costs. Architects charges are usually for a stipulated amount or based on time spent. Some projects are for a percentage of the project, but most architects will work with you to meet your needs within your budget.
Google Earth users can find our locations using these KML map files:
New York Remodeling,
Brooklyn Remodeling,
Queens Remodeling,
Staten Island Remodeling as well as our head office for
Brooklyn building inspection services.
Google Earth users can also check on our newest locations and specialty departments by using these KML map files:
Manhattan home inspection,
Queens home inspection,
Staten Island home inspection,
Queens renovation and remodeling,
Queens bathroom and kitchen remodeling,
Manhattan bathrooms,
Manhattan kitchens,
Manhattan kitchen and bathroom designers.
Olympian makes it easy for everyone to reach us using Google Earth, Google Places, by phone, by web or by mail. Feel free to contact us at any time.
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It is an intimidating task but it is a doable one, if you do some homework and a little research. It can be a long process just to find the right person because it is important to realize that you need to be able to communicate with this architect for many months to come as you will be working closely with this person and the architect will be responsible for carrying out your wishes. So where do you begin?