 |
...Continued - Page 2 of 2 (
1
2
)
Related Showrooms
• Renovation Experts - Put your home in good hands. Get FREE estimates on your project.
Drawing Up a Set of Plans
When working well with an architect, the savings are there from the start in terms of time and money. Colling says when he first sat down with the Mashers, he drew some “kitchen table sketches” based on their conversation. He also asked Jeanne Masher to find some examples in architecture magazines to “help her articulate her likes and dislikes.” During this planning phase, the architect will also survey the property and look into building regulations and requirements, Colling says.
The architect will produce a more definitive direction for your project and a set of design drawings based on these initial discussions and rough plans. A definite budget will also be prepared as the design becomes clearer. “Thorough drawings… make it easier for the contractor to accurately price and build your project,” according to the AIA. Colling drew up four pages of electrical plans for the Mashers. “That way the contractor had no questions, nothing was left to chance,” David Masher says. No unanswered questions means no time or money wasted in the middle of construction searching for answers, a huge savings for any homeowner.
The architect’s drawings also give a first look at how the space will be transformed. Seeing an accurate rendering of the final product lets you know whether your vision and the architect’s truly match.
Architects as Project Managers
An architect will help you choose materials, color and design schemes, builders and tradespeople that can bring your design to life. An architect can help you choose materials and finishes that are durable as well as beautiful, saving on frequent maintenance and replacement costs,” according to the AIA. New building materials come out surprisingly often, and architects have knowledge of their quality and effectiveness. In the Masher home, innovative new materials were used in the kitchen countertop, on the deck, and under the deck.
If there is one element of building that the average do-it-yourselfer will have trouble with, it is the permitting process. “The architect assists the homeowner in filing documents required for review and approval by local building, zoning, landmark and/or historic commission, and obtaining proposals and awarding the contract for construction,” Colling says. Building codes and zoning laws can get complicated—having an architect at your side will ensure they are filed properly, keeping your project on schedule.
While bringing the drawings to life using the materials specified is the job of the builder, a good architect will act as your agent in working with the contractor. As the contractors set to work assembling the architect’s vision, there are often obstacles. Having good chemistry between the architect and builder can turn a potential problem into a solution. In the Masher home, an unused chimney became a ready-made channel for pipes and wiring. “The architect administers the contract between the owner and contractor, including meeting with the contractor and vendors to answer any questions, review contractor submittals, address any field changes, reject nonconforming work, and review and certify payments.” In other words, your architect makes certain the project goes according to plan, on budget and on time. If a problem with a contractor does occur, most notably in the quality of the work, the architect will be your greatest ally.
|
Text by James Scott
© 2005 BobVila.com
...Continued - Page 2 of 2 (
1
2
)
< Previous Page
- Add To:
-
 Del.icio.us
-
 Digg
-
 Google
-
 Y! MyWeb
-
 Reddit
-
 Technorati
|
|
Related Articles
Related Tips
Related Videos
