The beginning of a home remodel can seem like an onslaught of questions that all have to be answered at once. One of the most important of these questions is, do I need to hire an architect? If it’s a big project with lots of zeros and heavy design requirements, the answer is probably yes. Otherwise a good general contractor is likely all you need. Here are the biggest factors to consider when making this decision.
- An architect will optimize your space for the way you live. With an architect, you’ll ensure you’re creating the best layout and orientation to make the most of your living space. They’ll ask questions like, “do you read the paper with your morning coffee, or scramble to get the kids to school?” or, “would you like your teenage kids to be able to hang out at your place?” The answers help create a design solution that fits your lifestyle now and for the future. Architects also take into consideration the light, space proportions, energy usage, and materials necessary to create the best possible design for your remodel.
- You’ll get an idea of how much it will cost you to live in your home, on an ongoing basis. While a precise cost estimate may not always be possible, an architect can often look at your project and say, “the base cost of the project is X, but then there’s also Y (electric bills, gas, etc.), which takes into account the life cycle of living with these changes.”
- Your home will be designed to evolve along with your life. One of life’s only givens is change. Your family and lifestyle may look very different 5, 10 years from now, and you want your home to be beautiful and usable by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life. An architect knows this, and by using an approach known as “universal design,” will work with you to ensure that your home is capable of handling changes, and that the space can adapt to whatever life brings.
- Any structural changes will be done safely. Cardinal rule: Never reconfigure structures without the input of an engineer or architect. Safety really is the most important factor whenever you’re making non-cosmetic changes to a home. Architects are licensed by the state to protect the safety of the public.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
If you are thinking of hiring an architect, check out these resources courtesy of The American Institute of Architects:
- Your Scope of Work is likely to be MUCH more detailed (meaning less room for human error). In remodeling, the single biggest pitfall is having a lack of specificity in the project. You simply must list out every last detail of what you want, or else you may not get it. An architect knows this, and they know precisely how to specify the scope of work down to the last floor tile. They also know what exactly needs to be done in every element of the project, and they’ll ensure it’s all there in your contract, with an extreme attention to detail. For example, while you might refer to the job of putting in new windows as, “fit windows,” your architect might say, “make the opening to these dimensions, install the double-glazed window using these specifications, and then plaster the surrounding area and paint.”
- Product specification will be much easier. Architects are exposed to a range of products for the home, and they have access to catalogues and samples (such as unique kitchen tiles) to show you. This will save you an enormous amount of time and effort.
- Your architect can help you find a contractor, and compare bids. Most architects will recommend contractors they’ve worked with before, ensuring that the people you’re getting bids from have been vetted. Your architect can also help you compare bids – they’ll hand each contractor the spec sheet, construction drawings, and the full scope of work. In return, they’ll want to know the price of any materials being substituted for those they specified, and they’ll help you determine if the substitute materials match the level of quality and performance you expect. Plus, since the architect has the technical knowledge to specify your project with such a degree of detail (see #5), the bids you get back are more likely to be apples to apples.
- Your architect can offer value engineering. When embarking on a project as big as a home remodel, it’s important to have an expert take into consideration all the different costs versus functions — also known as value engineering. A registered architect will know all the building codes, compliance issues, regulations, best practices, and more associated with your choices.
- Your architect can manage the design and help your contractor schedule the project, as well as figure out methods for completion. One of the biggest hassles you can take off your plate is management of the project, including scheduling when contractors get paid for work completed. Some architects are qualified to do management tasks, as well as administer the project effectively – meaning that if things go off track, they can help bring it back on schedule and budget.