Homeowners considering building a new home or completing major renovations in the coming months have much to consider. For many, sticking to the budget is a main concern, and it may not seem immediately apparent that hiring an architect can help them manage construction costs — and even save money throughout the project and beyond.
Let’s review why hiring an architect might be a good idea for your next home construction project.
Hiring an Architect = Cost-Effective Designs
An experienced architect has potentially worked on dozens of residential projects, while this may be your first and only time making building plans and design choices. As such, the architect is well-versed in finding the right balance between a client’s budget and their dream vision for the home.
They can help you maximize the construction budget while reducing wasteful design elements. Overall, they can help you create plans that are more efficient to build and, therefore, result in less construction time (i.e., lower labor costs).
Quality Materials Recommendations
Architects can recommend finishes and materials that match your design specifications but are also durable and long-lasting, which can help you spend less on repairs and maintenance over time.
If you make these selections independently, you may unknowingly choose options solely based on aesthetics, not realizing that the quality or durability is not appropriate for your project or intended uses for the space.
Contractor Management
One commonly overlooked benefit of hiring an architect is that they can act as a liaison between you and the contractor, helping to keep the project within your desired budget and timeline.
They may help you find and vet contractors, oversee the actual construction, and troubleshoot problems so you don’t have to yourself.
This relationship can also help you minimize or avoid unnecessary design changes or delays that might shoot total construction costs higher than you expected. If changes are necessary, the architect can recommend practical, cost-effective workarounds or solutions that represent your best interests.
Energy Efficient Designs
Finally, the design choices that a skilled architect makes can save you money over the long run with lower energy bills. Depending on the local climate where you live, the architect can make deliberate decisions that make for a more energy-efficient home.
In a place like New York, where we experience all four seasons, architects might orient the windows, doors, and other design features to take advantage of warming sunlight in the winter months but keep it cool in the summer months with strategically placed awnings or overhangs.
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Written by Bailey Schramm
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