Why should I hire an Architect instead of hiring just a Contractor?
There are many avenues you can take when starting your home renovation journey. One of the main questions you may be asking yourself is whether a Contractor is all you need for the entirety of the process, or if hiring an Architect is a necessary part of the equation. Here are the six reasons why hiring an Architect is crucial to your home renovation experience:
1. Hiring an Architect can give you a greater understanding of your needs and assist in discovering your unique “brand” & style
At REVIVE, we view the role of the Architect as a translator. Being trained in the “language” and process of design, we are here to listen to your needs and morph them into a reality that creatively solves any roadblocks you face. Whether those roadblocks are functional (we don’t have enough space for our new baby) or aesthetic (I want the style and finishes of my home to feel more comforting, personal, joyful), there are many ways to adjust those conditions. But if you do not have the tools to express your vision you will need someone who can. That is where we come in. It is also why finding an Architect that you feel comfortable with, and that you can trust, is paramount to the successful outcome of your space.
2. An Architect will bring a high-level of creativity in design & vision to your project.
There are many ingredients to making your dream home a reality. Technical knowledge is just one of these ingredients. Contractors are extensively trained in the “how-to” of literally putting your home together nail-by-nail and shingle-by-shingle, but contractors do not have as much formal training in design strategies, creative thinking, and composition as an Architect. A general contractor can make your home strong and durable, but an Architect’s focus and expertise is doing this in a creative way that leaves you with a captivating, inviting, and comforting space you can enjoy for the long-haul.
3. Zoning solutions are an integral part to your Architect’s process.
Have you ever looked at a home and wondered why a certain roofline seemed to stop mid-slope or why the building jogged back at a particular spot? Have you ever been in a neighborhood where every home is one-level, or all the homes are deeply set back from the street? Often, these shifts in the form and location of a structure within a lot are a response to local Zoning Codes and Ordinances. Zoning regulations are a set of rules used by cities, counties, and neighborhoods to create uniformity and contextual harmony across a streetscape or within a defined area.
Your Architect will have experience with these regulations and understand which specific constraints apply to your property. Being familiar with the ins-and-outs of these codes and pre-determined frameworks allow Architects to massage the form, layout and siting of your home to create unique solutions for your space. Contractors may not have this intimate knowledge, and therefore may not be able to explore the boundaries of what could give you and your family the uniquely right space for you.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
4. An architect has extensive knowledge in siting & environmental factors.
The sun, in all its infinite glory, plays a big part in how our buildings function. Glare on a TV screen, a light-filled home office, a constantly icy entry walk, or a chilly and shadowy backyard are all created by the placement of your home and its specific interior layout on the site. Architects are tuned into these environmental factors and will be sensitive to the setting they are creating for each room based on the natural factors acting on that space.
5. Your Architect provides you protection throughout the construction process.
Your Architect is your advocate. By this, I mean that it is your Architect’s job to keep your best interests at heart and assist you through the execution of the design so that you can realize your dream home. Throughout construction the Architect acts as your agent to support you in any of these issues that could arise: recognizing places where corners have been cut, costs are not reflective of the work performed, or discrepancies that occur between you and your contractor. Without an Architect acting on your behalf, you have no one in your corner to go to bat with you when issues arise.
Photo by Annie Gray on Unsplash
6. Resale of your home could be more lucrative when designed by an Architect.
Good design sells. Walking into a home that “flows” (layout, paths of circulation, room adjacencies, transparency, and openings), exhibits spaces that simply “feel” right (proportions, detailing, scale), and offers the little creature comforts that make you feel right at home (built-in shelving and storage, wall and ceiling treatments, abundant natural light, convenient layouts of appliances) are the components that set your home apart from the others. Thoughtful design has been shown to increase property values and define a sense of community. Hiring an Architect for your home project may be scary at first, but it will pay off in the long run whether you are enjoying your forever home with all it has to offer, or cashing in on the payoff when the time comes to sell.
Home remodeling should be a journey shared with an Architect. The value an Architect provides throughout the entire experience is one that should not be underestimated.
Gallery:
Swiss Chalet by Jairph on Unsplash
Half-Timber Cottage by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
English Thatch by Liv Cashman on Unsplash
Timber - Modern & Stacked by Marian Kroell on Unsplash
Victorian Burst by Jessica Furtney on Unsplash
Dutch Gables by Jonni Lundy on Unsplash
White, Grey and Green Derick McKinney on Unsplash
Spanish Style by Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash
Terracotta Roof Aerial by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Home Construction by Annie Gray on Unsplash