LET'S LEARN!
We love to share our knowledge and help our clients understand the in's and out's of the construction process. Browse below to see what might interest you.
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." -- Steve Jobs
TOP 5 REASONS TO HIRE AN ARCHITECT
An architect creates designs that cater to your needs, style, and budget. They will work with you to turn your unique vision into a reality. They possess experience with a vast number of building styles and construction techniques. They have the ability to prepare scaled drawings and often 3D models of your proposed project. This information will be presented to you in design development meetings. This ensures you’re getting exactly what you want before construction starts.
An architect ensures that you are in compliance with all codes and regulations for both the town and state. They have the extensive knowledge and experience to guide you through the application processes when obtaining these permissions.
An architect helps with selections of finishes, materials and lighting that are compatible with your lifestyle and will ultimately increase the value of your home. They also help control costs during the design and specification stages of the project to make sure you are getting the most out of your budget.
An architect oversees the project to completion, helping to control scheduling and costs during the construction process. They can help you select the right builder and arrange and administer your contract with them. This contract will ensure that the work is being done in accordance with the drawings and specifications, to a predefined schedule and cost. They make regular inspections to review completed work so you will only ever pay for the work that has been done. In addition, they coordinate with various consultants and engineers to ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout the project.
An architect solves various construction issues that may arise as the project develops. They are able to prepare change orders that are necessary when there are deviations from the original plan.
TOP 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A BUILDER
Hire a builder at the early stage of the design process so the team can monitor and control the project schedule and budget. The builder and architect can work together to leverage their collective knowledge to make sure the project meets your expectations. Define a clear budget and determine how the builder will be compensated up front. Unexpected issues usually arise during the building process and the last thing you want is to be blindsided by the cost.
A qualified builder should have the time, financial resources, expertise, communication skills, organizational skills, and the prior experience needed to build your project. The builder should understand what is important to you. Items include the layout, amenities, and cost. Determine if the builder is someone you can work with for an extended period. You need to feel that the builder is someone you can trust and has your best interest in mind. When interviewing potential builders, be sure to review their current resume of projects, success with projects of the same scale, how they communicate, customer references, and general project management skills. Discuss how they like to run the project and what their specialties include.
Look for an experienced builder that has built the type of project that you are looking to build so they can tailor their skills to your needs. You can research the builder’s prior work by looking at their website, contacting customer referrals, and speaking with the builder directly. When conducting your research, make sure all potential candidates are up-to-date on any new technologies that you are looking to include in your project such as Wi-Fi, new appliances, energy saving technology, security systems, etc. Initial research should also include finding out how past projects went, from start to finish. Even if a builder has completed the type of work in the past that you are looking to do, you want to make sure that there were no significant issues or constraints that caused past projects to be significantly delayed or over budget.
Interview multiple builders to help you find one that you can trust and develop a strong relationship with. It’s also important to gather multiple estimates so you can compare what each builder will charge for your project. Working with your builder will be a huge time commitment. Not only do you want to find someone that has good communication and organizational skills, but you also want to find someone who will work with you to meet your budget.
Finding a builder starts by searching on the internet. It’s easy to locate builders in your area with a few clicks of the mouse. Reputable builders will also have reviews available from past clients. The builder’s website will provide an overview of their style of work and the locations that they build in. Local lenders can provide information on builders and share insight into their project history. Also, Realtors are a great source for building referrals in the custom home market. Reach out to family and friends for referrals. If you find a builder or contractor that someone you know has used, it increases the builder’s credibility and likelihood that they can be trusted. And lastly, architects can provide builder referrals as well.
TOP 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUILDING YOUR CUSTOM HOME
Determining your budget is the first thing you need to do before you start building your home. It is an essential step that you need to perform to get an idea of what you can actually afford. Knowing your financial capability will allow you to get more accurate information about the size, location, and quality of the house that you can build. It will enable you to plan ahead and secure bank financing if needed. Starting your construction with a proper budget will allow you to avoid problems during the building process. This is why you need to make sure that you have the appropriate funds necessary to complete the task successfully.
Location of the property is another important factor to consider before you begin constructing your custom home. If you have not selected a location yet, then we recommend you pick one that fits your needs. Consider things such as natural views, area restrictions, local building codes, and your budget. Also think about its proximity to your job, grocery stores, community centers, church, and schools. Also, you have to ensure the location can accommodate your design and is big enough for all your proposed structures.
Designing your new home is next now that you have an idea of how much you can afford and what the area of your property looks like. It will take an architect to create the plans that will turn your vision into a reality. Without these plans the contractors would be flying blind and the project would fall apart quickly. An architect will help create a design that is both practical and efficient while allowing you to customize it according to your lifestyle. Every detail such as where your appliances will be located, the direction of the sun, and even the energy-efficiency of your house will be worked out with the architect. This will enable you to generate a house design that you can be proud of and is suitable for all your needs and requirements.
Hiring a reputable builder, after successfully creating a design for your house, is the next step. This step is critical because the success or failure of your project depends on their capability to perform the construction task properly. To do this, you must find the best builders in your area that have plenty of experience with constructing custom homes; an architect can give you referrals. Good builders know how to solve problems effectively and are excellent when it comes to implementing your home design. They also listen to you and prioritize your needs, so your dream home is exactly how you want it. You can check the portfolios of various construction companies to determine which builders can perform the task successfully. Also, you can conduct meetings with these firms so that you can better select a builder that works for you.
Unique challenges comes with every build. Challenges are part of the process so don't feel overwhelmed the first time there’s a roadblock. There are a lot of moving parts in a new home build. Sometimes even the best suppliers deliver the wrong thing, or fail to deliver something on time. Sometimes inclement weather can delay the project. A myriad of other issues can crop up. It takes a really good problem solver to make a custom home build a pleasant experience for the client. It also takes a really good problem solver to keep the process flowing so that the build is completed on time. Hire an experienced architect and builder that will meet those challenges head on.