Hi
My wife and I are looking to build our dream home on our property in Seattle, WA...How do i know whether to use a contractor or to hire an architect....Can the contactor provide plans for building or is it best to have an architect on board>?
- i am totally new to this.
thanks.
2007-12-29 11:59:48 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
If you are building a home on a piece of property as opposed to a community, I would get an architect. Check with many to find who would best fit your style and then interview at least three with your basic ideas in tow. Pick the one who best has your dream in mind. They will then connect with the right contractors to fulfill your building requirements. If you have never built a home before, stay on top of everything that is done daily. Even the best laid plans can get lost in the process. We have built many dream homes in many places so I'm here to tell you to watch every movement they make. An architect will handle it all for you. A contractor will need your every input and if you know nothing about building a home, you will not get what you want nor will you be able to tell a contractor what you need. If this is your dream home, do it right.
2007-12-29 12:25:44 · answer #1 · answered by dawnb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can depend on the type of house you want and your budget. If you want a unique million dollar plus house, you will need an architect and pay him between 5 and 15 percent of the construction cost. If instead you are looking for a well designed conventional house that is a bit more modest, there are good sets of house plans that can be gotten from a plan service for a reasonable price. Finding a good contractor is very important. Take the time to do your research and reference checking for your contractor. A good experienced one can make a big difference. If you go with a canned set of plans, it may still be advisable to have an limited services architect help select the plan, to site the house on your property, and to get contractor referrals. Remember, selecting an architect is the same deal as selecting the contractor. Check the references and do adequate interviews. The design and construction process can go on for a long time and you will need people you can work with.
2007-12-30 07:34:18 · answer #2 · answered by jake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Seattle Architect (located on Bainbridge Island, WA)
http://www.coatesdesign.com I can say with confidence that you must assuredly contract the services of an architect instead of using your contractor's plans for 3 main reasons: 1. Trust. An architect is YOUR advocate and watches YOUR back during the process. That is not necessarily true of your contractor. 2. Quality. You will get a design that best fits your lifestyle and that is property designed and built. 3. Safety. An architect knows how to provide permit ready drawings that meet all local and national codes.
Contact me if my firm could be of service to you, we specialize in high-end, yet affordable Sustainable Design. i.e. We are green Architects.
http://www.coatesdesign.com
2007-12-29 20:23:02 · answer #3 · answered by coatesarchitect 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the best answer is both! We used an architect/builder - Porchlight Homes NW - www.porchlighthomesnw.com - we were really happy with them!
2014-01-06 13:26:00 · answer #4 · answered by Joshua 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋