Do You Need an Architect?

Today’s Wiki Wednesday Feature: Do You Need an Architect?

Remodel or move? For homeowners, it’s an age-old question: Should you buy a new house, or remodel the one you already have? Considering the current state of the housing market, remodeling your home may be looking much more attractive these days. If you’re thinking about undertaking a remodel, you may want to check out this week’s featured Real Estate Guide article: Do You Need an Architect?

So, do you need one? Well, according to the article, it depends. The first consideration is the size of the project. If you’re planning a simple project — finishing off your semi-finished basement, for instance — then an experienced contractor should be able to complete your job successfully. But what if you want to turn your kitchen into a stunner pulled directly from a design magazine? Well, you’ll probably need an architect. Same thing if you’re thinking about doing an addition to your house or turning a spare bedroom into a luxurious master bath. While a contractor may be able to do a good job with these types of projects, a skilled architect can add style and smart design. Sure, hiring an architect will add to your overall project costs, but it will probably be worth it in the long run.

Even if you’re not sure if an architect is right for your particular project, it won’t hurt to go out and talk to a few. Most architects do not charge for initial consultation, and they should be able to give you a good idea of what sort of professional services your project requires. Once you’ve decided to hire an architect, take some time to make sure you’re choosing the right one. The article outlines some good tips for choosing one, including these:

• Get recommendations from friends, colleagues, and neighbors. But beyond that, take a look at the projects they’ve done for them. One person’s dream kitchen is another person’s “do-over.” And individual architects have different styles, so make sure theirs appeals to you.
• Be sure to personally meet with any architect you are considering hiring, and not only for a quick meeting. You will be working closely with this person for months, so you should get to know them and make sure that your personalities click.

One important distinction to make is the difference between an architect and a “home designer.” Architects are licensed by your state and required to fulfill certain academic requirements. “Home designers” are usually people that have an educational background in the field and possibly experience working with architects, but are not licensed. Some specialize in particular types of projects. Both types of professionals may be right for your job — you just need to do the leg work to find the right one.

Ed: Wiki Wednesdays is a weekly feature that highlights helpful or interesting articles from the Real Estate Guide.