When the time comes and you finally decide to build that dream home, should you just go to a contractor and have them design and build it or hire an architect? In most cases, a contractor can do an adequate job, no doubt, but this will probably be the biggest investment you will ever make, so it is worthy of some consideration. In fact, there are many good reasons to choose a licensed architect. Some are quite obvious and some less so. Let’s look at a few.
More choice, less hassle.
First and foremost with an architect, you will have more design options, a more bespoke house, and a more desirable one. The resale value of an architect-designed home will almost certainly be higher than a generic one. An architect is trained to take into account your family’s specific needs in a way that a builder could rarely be expected to.
Whilst on the face of it, hiring a licensed architect would seem to be adding extra cost to an already expensive project, it can actually save you money. While a builder will certainly stick to the current rules on sustainability, energy efficiency, and green living, an architect with their deep knowledge of new materials and methods can often go beyond that and “future-Proof” your new home, making it more cost-effective and sustainable in the long term. Their knowledge of these new techniques can open up possibilities that you never thought of before.
As the architect designed the house, they will also oversee much of the construction work, saving you from making difficult decisions with the contractors, which only adds stress to the situation and sometimes the choices can be expensive mistakes unless care is taken. If your family has somebody with specific needs, an architect is trained to come up with practical solutions to problems of access.
Before you start out, it is always worth checking out architect’s websites for inspiration and ideas, such as https://www.rbddesign.com/architectural-design/residential-architecture-london/architects-battersea/ who are residential architects Battersea. If you are planning a home in a tight Urban environment, then using space wisely is paramount and new ways of thinking are called for.
Conclusion
Finally, of course, the choice is yours but major works and new builds can really benefit from the input of a licensed architect, giving you extra clarity in achieving your dream.