There are certain situations when an architect is necessary, but these are not always as apparent as one might think. An architect can help you design and create your dream house or office space by helping you with the planning and design. They can handle the design and construction of homes, schools, hospitals, and public buildings.
However, before you hire an architect, make sure that you hire a qualified one from the start. This will ensure that you get what you pay for in terms of quality work because architects usually charge more than any other individual in the market. As a general contracting company that works with architects on projects big and small, here’s what we think are important tips to keep in mind, and when you may need professional help:
When to Hire an Architect?
It is vital to ensure that an architect is suitable before hiring one. But the question is, what are the signs that determine whether you need an architect or not? Let’s find out!
1. A problem with your house that you can’t solve
You know it’s time to hire an architect when you have a problem with your house and have no idea how to solve it.
For example, consider hiring an architect if you have a large home and can’t find a way to make a room into an additional bathroom. They will design a space for your specific needs and help you with the logistics of finding new bathrooms in your house.
A good architect incorporates creativity, flexibility, and innovation into their work. An architect’s job is to find creative solutions that are practical to create spaces that are functional, aesthetically appealing, and user-friendly.
2. Feeling squeezed yet not wanting an addition
A good architect will ensure that you are making the most of all the space in your new home by maximizing floor space and ensuring that the layout is functional.
For example, you live in a small house with an attic that is too cramped for an extra bedroom, so it’s been used as a storage space. But what if you could turn this attic into a usable area such as a living area or an office? That’s how architects think! They will make sure that every inch of house space is put to good use.
3. You feel uncomfortable when making building choices
Remodeling your home can be challenging, with many questions to answer and decisions for you to make.
Feeling uncomfortable and indecisive are two main traits you are likely to have, and that’s when you need an architect’s help the most.
An architect specializes in designing buildings and providing advice and guidance on how to build them. You should consider hiring one if you are thinking about going through a significant remodel shortly.
4. You are on a tight budget
Most people think that hiring an architect is not always the most straightforward option, mainly because of financial concerns. But there are ways to save money on building with an architect. One way is through value engineering—devising a way to get you a feature without paying for it.
Value engineering is when an architect designs the building or structure at an early stage of development, thereby reducing redundancy and waste. It boils down to two main steps: 1) determining what features are needed and 2) creating a plan for how and when to deploy those features at the most economical time.
Value engineering can help reduce costs by as much as 50%. If you’re thinking of hiring an architect, make sure you want them to help reduce costs instead of just designing something aesthetically pleasing or usable.
So, there are four of our hints on when it may be time to hire an architect. But if you’ve got a project where you need someone to take care of everything, at every step of the process – Larsa Development can do that for you. Contact us here today and let’s talk!