Why Pay an Architect?
Some friends recently remodeled their home. They chose to save money on architect fees and allowed the contractor to produce the plans for their remodeling project. Because the scope of the job had not been adequately defined by these plans, what was to have been a fixed bid turned out otherwise. The remodel cost them twice as much as the original bid price given to them by the contractor.
A realtor I know developed preliminary plans with an architect for a master bathroom. She then decided to work directly with a builder in the interest of saving money on architectural fees. One year Later, her bathroom was still not complete. She and the builder had entertained different ideas concerning the quality of the finished product. Now she is remodeling her bathroom for the second time.
These are typical examples of home remodelers being "penny wise and pound foolish." Saving money on an architect's fees will not always save money on the total job. In fact, retaining the service of an architect can actually help you get better value for your money.
By developing a well-thought out design and providing contract documents that define the built scope of this design, an architect can keep your project on track and on budget. Additionally, an architect will work with your contractor during construction to ensure the visual integrity of your remodeled home.
Architects are concerned with the functional as well as the sensory, from balanced natural light and views to proportional relationships and circulation from one space to another. This aesthetic orientation adds an important dimension to the built environment, allowing for a better use of space, a more cohesive overall effect, and, not surprisingly, higher resale values.
An architect's attention to both the general and the specific gives you a clear idea of what you are buying before you buy it. He or she can coordinate all the details of your remodel in the context of the whole project, including structural realities, planning and building code requirements, budgetary restrictions and finish detailing. He or she can then communicate this information, as necessary, to you, your contractor and your local building department.
Designing and organizing your project in advance is better than working it out during construction; it is easier to erase and redraw than to tear down actual construction and rebuild. During construction, having an architect communicate the intended implications of the design to the contractor can minimize the possibility of costly misunderstandings. It is certain that questions will arise during construction that require design decisions to be made, such as those involving color pallets and finish carpentry.
While some contractors can act as building designers, this is not their specialty. Many contractors refuse to work directly with clients because they know from past experience that short-cutting the design process or second-guessing the intent of the design is not cost efficient: rebuilding is often required at someone's expense. Contractors have experience with the materials and methods of how to build while architects have training in how to design and how-to assure the quality of what will be built.
You will find that there are "combination professionals" such as designer/builders and architect/contractors, but it is difficult for one person to master both professions. Using the same person for both aspects of the job also removes the possibility of competitive bidding, a tool that, when used correctly, allows you to find the best person for the job at the best price.
If you want to assure that your remodeling or building project runs as smoothly and cost-effectively as possible, then you'll want to have an architect on your side. An architect's skills and orientation will add value to your project well beyond that spent on his/her fees.
Home Owner's Resource January/February 1991
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