Building, Remodeling, and Doing it All Again

Architects can be valuable teammates when you are constructing a custom home. An architect has the ability to translate your wish list into a feasible blueprint that your contractor can use to turn your dream into a reality.

Most partnerships between architects and homeowners start with a consultation. The better you understand these consultations, the more prepared you will be to take advantage of your own architectural consultation in the future. 

Getting to Know Each Other

One of the primary purposes of an architectural consultation is for you and the architect to get to know one another. It can take a while to construct a custom home, so you will be working closely with the architect over an extended period of time.

During the consultation, you will be able to determine if your personalities are compatible. You will also be able to preview samples of work the architect has completed in the past to determine if his or her design aesthetic meets your needs.

The architect will get to know you by asking questions about the features and amenities you want to include in your home. The initial consultation can help both parties determine if the partnership is a good fit.

Learning About the Project

Discussion during an architectural consultation will likely be centered around your project. In addition to asking lots of questions about your desired custom home, the architect will help you learn more about the current conditions of the construction industry.

A consultation provides architects with the chance to discuss the cost of materials and labor, and how these costs will affect the budget you have set for the construction of your custom home.

You will also be provided with information regarding the timeline of your custom build. This information helps you create a more realistic construction plan as you move forward.

Site Inspection

Many architectural consultations will take place at the future construction site for the project in question.

By meeting where you want to build your custom home, the architect will be able to identify any environmental factors that could affect the outcome of your project.

These environmental factors can affect both the budget and the timeline for your custom home, so identifying them as early as possible will help the architect provide you with a more accurate estimate.

Don't overlook the importance of a thorough architectural consultation when planning to build a custom home in the future.