home improvement tasks vary from minor, medium (you and a contractor), and time to hire a pro (architect). Allow me to elaborate. Minor could mean repainting or putting in a new sink. Medium is knocking out walls to expand a room or enlarging a window opening. It’s time to call an architect or professional designer when you are redoing the entire house, completely redesigning a kitchen, or building a house from scratch.
Architects will vary on price, largely depending on where you live and the project you want done.
It is often the architect’s job to act as the medium between you and the work. In other words, you talk with the architect, and he or she talks with everyone else, including the contractor and subcontractors. If there are any problems, the architect will take care of it.
An architect creates the designs for the project from beginning to end, making sure the project adheres to all building codes and regulations, and works with you from the very first design until the project is completed, with you, the client, getting the final say on everything. Believe it or not, the architect is also there to keep everything on budget. Just because you hire an architect doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune.
Now that you have a general idea of what an architect does, how do you choose the right one for you? First, only hire an architect who is licensed in your state. It is a good idea to go to the American Institute of Architects website (http://www.aia.org/) and spend some time in the “Working with an Architect” section, where there are valuable resources such as “20 questions to ask your architect” and “You and Your Architect”.
Interview several possible candidates, you are looking for someone you like, someone who listens to your ideas, and someone you are compatible with. Ask for references and actually make the calls. Ask if the Architect you are considering hiring was on time with the project, if there were any problems, how well they stayed on budget, etc. Use your common sense and remember that it’s your money and time on the line.
Buy hiring the right professional you can save yourself a lot of time, heartache, and trouble. You will also be assuring yourself a job well done.
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