There are many benefits to hiring an architect for every construction project.
1. We see the big picture – Architects work with construction projects every day. We know the steps, can help head off issues before they are problems, and can offer comfort in what can be a stressful process.
2. We create the documents that are the contract for construction – Often when a problem arises in a construction project, it is because the memory of the agreement differs. If you have an architect create the design, then they have the job of interpreting what should have been done based on those documents. They can answer questions, offer opinions, and help guide solutions. If you have purchased plans online or worse, if the builders created the documents, you do not have any protection should things go bad.
3. We understand building science – Who wants a house that is expensive to heat and cool, is unhealthy, and is hard to maintain? If you don’t, then you want someone involved that knows building science.
4. Architects know building products – Much of my time is spent researching materials, learning from product reps, and analyzing the performance of building products. We know what is available, what works well in a given situation, and what offers added value to a project.
5. An architect understands aesthetics – We have studied space, forms, proportions, scale, and styles. We know how to put together a project that has the appropriate details and proportions.
Hiring an architect should save you time, money, minimize bumps, streamline the building process, and provide an accurate picture of what to expect well before the first shovel of dirt is turned over.
I heard it again last week from a friend that decided to cut costs by not hiring an architect: “I wish I had hired you, I would have saved a ton of money and frustration.” It is a painful conversation for both me and the person that made the choice not to hire me that I have had many times. I struggle to get work, get told many times over that potential clients found a cheaper alternative, then I see the results and the mistakes made by those not understanding design.
The problem is that I cannot prove hiring a design professions (not a drafter, not a builder that does design) will save you money, but I have heard from many that have tried that it does not work. Have you had the same experience? Have you avoided design costs by going another direction and ended up with exactly what you wanted? Comment below and share your experiences – size, shape, complexity, situation, renovation, commercial, residential. It will help me better convey to my potential clients why they should hire me and help other blog readers make this decision.
Thinking about building an energy efficient home? Want luxury living? They can easily be combined. Green design does not set a particular style, size, or aesthetic, it simply requires an understanding of building science. Here are more pictures of this incredible project built by Trost Custom Homes.
It all started so innocently, we became a car based society and wanted to protect our investments. So we went from parking our cars in a driveway to parking them in the carriage house at the end of the driveway. Then came the carport – an attached to your home open air structure that protected the car from rain and snow. Then someone, probably an architect, said, lets build walls around this structure and make it part of the house. That is where our troubles started.
Yes, the attached garage is a convenience that most people in our area enjoy on cold and wet days, but there are problems lurking. It is impossible to completely separate them from your living spaces. This leads to indoor-air-quality issues in your home. As wind blows against your garage door, the space become pressurized pushing fumes and chemicals into your house. After all, where do you keep all those pesticides, gas cans, old paints if not in your attached garage?
So what is the solution? A detached garage not directly connected to your home. It can be connected via a covered walkway or screen porch. This detached structure is completely separated from your living space protecting your indoor-air-quality. Interesting that the google web definition is a garage not attached to a home, usually found in older homes. We have found that many of our clients want a healthy home. To create this you have to make the thermal envelope very tight which makes the indoor-air-quality contaminant prevention even more important.
Check your door and window weather-stripping. Air leakage is the biggest energy waste that we find in homes. Making sure doors and windows seal tight will make your home more comfortable this fall and winter. Keeping doors and windows locked when closed will increase the performance against winter winds.
Make sure heating vents are clear of furniture. If your system is designed to perform optimally then it needs to blow air / radiate heat without obstructions. Keep draperies, furniture, and rugs off the floor vents and away from radiators to make sure you are getting heat to the right places.
Close your fireplace damper when not in use. A chimney is a huge hole to the thermal envelope and of course heat rises. Cut your energy use by making sure the damper is closed tight so as little heat as possible can escape to the outside. If you no longer use your fireplace, seal up the chimney with a chimney balloon and insulation.
Check your landscaping. Cut back overgrown plants that block airflow to your air handler and trees that overhang your roof. Protect your plants from coming heavy snows by trimming them back. Plant a winter crop on your garden and collect leaves and grass clippings in your compost bin for a beautiful spring crop.
Close your crawl space vents. The best thing to do is to close your crawl space vents permanently and insulate your crawl space walls. If that is not possible at this time, at least close your foundation vents for the cold months. Add a square of rigid insulation over the vent to help things stay modestly warmer below your floor.
Clean out those gutters. You made it through the summer without having to crawl on the hot roof, congratulations. Now that temperatures are more moderate, it is time to make sure you don’t get damage come snow season. Take advantage of this time of year to clean out your gutters and inspect your roof.
Clean for efficiency. Refrigerators are huge energy hogs so keeping them maintained is critical. Vacuum the coils on the back and bottom and check the temperature. While you are at it, clean the lint hose for your dryer – this will prevent potential fires and reduce mildew problems.
Hang heavier curtains on your windows. No matter the quality of your windows, they are still the weakest part of the thermal envelope of your home. Adding insulating curtains will help offset against heat loss during the cold months that are looming.
Open the windows. The more energy efficient you get your home the less “fresh” air you get inside. Open the windows on these cool autumn days to not only enjoy the sounds of nature, but also air out any toxic chemicals that have built up over the summer.
Have your chimney and furnace inspected. Make sure your fireplace and heating system is ready for the colder weather that is on the way. Get your chimney professionally cleaned to make sure it is free of buildup and birds’ nests. The same can be done for your heating system; clean and efficient is the goal. You should have your HVAC system serviced twice a year (fall and spring).
We got some new pictures of one of our favorite projects, the Penn Laird custom home. These show the solar system that was installed by the clients. I hear all the time that solar is ugly. I think this shows how solar can be done to look good, blend into the architecture, and provide clean energy for this home owner.
This incredible home is done in Penn Laird, built by Trost Custom Homes. Here are the other updates:
There are many benefits to hiring an architect for every construction project.
