Imagine: you live in a beautiful home that has everything you and
your family need to be comfortable, productive and happy. And the best
part is, you envisioned the whole structure yourself. The house started
as an idea, a dream, and now it's an everyday reality.
It's nearly
impossible to make this kind of property development dream come true by
yourself. Most of us need a fairy godmother to help grant us our
building wishes.
Enter: the architect. The importance of a good
architect to your property development project cannot be overestimated.
Whether you're remodeling a kitchen or building a home from the ground
up, your architect is your guide through the ins and outs of designing,
budgeting and building.
Architects are trained to see the big
picture. They consider your lifestyle needs, spatial constraints, zoning
codes, permitting, costs and building timetables. Their expertise in
all of these arenas will guarantee that your vision becomes a reality.
How
do you find the right architect? Research architects and firms in your
region. Architectural firms that specialize in residential work are a
good place to start. Reputed firms can be trusted to match you with a
professional, knowledgeable designer. However, independent architects
can also work wonders, often at a lower cost to you.
Do your
research. Get photographs of an architect's previous work, and ask if
you can visit completed houses they've designed. Make sure he or she has
experience with your structural and stylistic demands. If your taste is
contemporary, find someone who has designed beautiful contemporary
houses. Every architect has their specialty; find the one whose skills
best match your tastes.
Personality is also extremely important.
You'll be working closely with an architect for a long time. Find
someone who listens to your needs, is flexible when you change your mind
and has a sense of humor about the process. Building or renovating is
stressful, but an architect that handles the process with patience and
grace makes a huge difference.
Your architect will first gather
information about the project. They will ask what kind of space you're
envisioning, what it will be used for and what you're aiming to spend.
Once you're on the same page, the drafting process begins. The architect
will produce drawings and a budget for the project. It's not uncommon
to go through several drafts: a good architect won't mind re-drafting
and honing the design to best fit your specifications.
After you
finalize the drawings and budget, your architect becomes your project
manager. They will ensure that all needed documents are filed and
approved by the building department. When construction begins, the
architect will work closely with the contractor to make sure that the
actual building matches the plans on paper.
