The beautiful houses you come across in glossy magazines are often custom-designed by architects.
They are the brainchild of individuals that know how to explore something new. Things get tricky when your expectations are not that high. In this scenario, you are left with two options. Either, you can take the services of an architect or go for the below mentioned cost saving alternatives, especially if you are looking for a traditional touch.
Buying a stock building plan
Talking about stock building plans, they are drawn by home designers and architects for the purpose of mass marketing with the help of magazines, websites and catalogs.
Benefits: The best part is that you are not going to face any problem in finding stock plans for homes, as it comes in wide array of sizes, budgets and styles. If you manage to come up with a right sort of stock plan, you will be able to save plenty of money.
Drawbacks: The architect who created a stock building plan is not aware of your requirements and therefore there is a strong possibility that the plan may not suit your personality and taste.
Another important thing that you need to take into consideration is the fact that these plans are not made on the basis of your building profile or the climate of your location. Lots of individuals who buy these plans often take the services of an architect for the purpose of modifications.
What about production home builders
When it comes to suburban housing developments new houses, they are generally developed by production home builders.
In terms of features, these builders have an agreement with designers and architects to create plans that is tailor made for the region in addition to being harmonious with other development houses.
When working in collaboration with these builders, you will find that you need to select from the plans that is offered by the builder. After going through various plans in detail, you need to play a prominent part in the customization of it. For this, you need to opt for light fixtures, exterior siding, bay windows and other features that are important from architectural point of view.
Benefits: There is no doubt about the fact that builders can work in a more economical and quick manner when they are implementing conventional plans. As the plans are developed locally, they are going to be ideally suited for the terrain and climate.
Drawbacks: The assembling of your house is going to be done through limited features. Although, you will always get an opportunity to customize things, one thing is for sure, your house will not fall into the category of a custom house. It will be quite identical to other development houses. Furthermore, your builder may charge you more if you are interested in making modifications.
Role of a certified professional building designer
Another cost-saving option that is available for you is to take the services of a certified professional building designer, widely been regarded as home designer, playing a significant role in your house designing.
These designers generally do not possess the same education level as is the case with architects but that does not mean their skill level is any less.
In comparison to architects, fees of certified professional building designers is lot less. These designers do have a professional certificate, so you do not need to worry about their mode of working.
Benefits: One of the most important things about these designers is that they have expertise in private houses – not shopping centers, gas stations and office buildings. Because of this, there is a good chance that home designer would be a much better option for you when it comes to designing houses in comparison to architects as they have more experience in this area. If you manage to find a right kind of home designer, you are going to get a customized house, ideal for your family.
Drawbacks: Similar to real estate developers and builders, home designers come up with strategies that are conventional in nature. As home designers does not take any sort of training with regard to developing unusual or complicated designs, they may not satisfy your requirements all the time. If you are interested in a completely unique design, hiring an architect is the way to go.
Talking about architects, they are licensed professionals, having expertise in all sorts of areas. Like lawyers and doctors, architects have finished university programs in addition to internships for an extended duration. As they have cleared number of tough examinations in order to reach the current level, they are best suited to satisfy your needs. Their training includes lots of portions, right from structured engineering to landscape design.
What architects do
The answer of this question is not that straightforward as in plenty of projects, architects play wide variety of roles. Apart from design creation, they can also get involved in the material selection, drafting and supervision of entire routine.
Ideally, it is the responsibility of your architect to inspect the building site and observe the sun direction and trees placement.
When you take these services, get ready to pay extra money, generally in the range of eight to ten percent.
Queries of architects
What is the location from where your family watch TV?
Does you need an informal dining room?
Do you throw parties on a regular basis?
Do you treat your bedroom pretty much like a sanctuary where you devote lots of daytime hours? Or, bedroom is just your sleeping place?
Do you want to store your computer in a private location?
What are the issues you are facing in your current house? And, what are the things you are happy with your current house?
What sort of modifications you want to make in your current house?
How much you are willing to pay for the services?
Even if you do not have much budget to talk about, it does not mean that you compromise on the quality of your life. Just be proactive in your approach and find a right kind of designer, things will be in your favor.
