skip to main content

Hire the experts or wing it?

8 years ago

Our project is the ultimate one. We're planning to build a custom home for retirement. We have a budget (less that 1mil). I want to hire an architect to help with the design. Since an architect costs 15-20% of the budget my husband thinks we can get "more house" if we skip the architect. I think we need the design help and will wind up with a "better" house. Any thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
Ancient Art Stone
8 years ago
If you have an idea of what you are looking for I think you can make out rather well without an architect. There are so many websites that have layout designs you can look through and get an idea of what you want. I think if you know what you want and and visualize things easy you should be fine with the help of the internet.
Jody Miller thanked Ancient Art Stone
Skip Gilliam
8 years ago
Find an architect you like and take a look at some of their plans. More than likely they already have a plan close to what you are looking for. Have them rework that plan to fit what you want inside and out. They will charge you a fee for the plan and some fees to rework the plan. That will save you thousands.
Jody Miller thanked Skip Gilliam
Related Discussions
Wrap around porch on 1920s Art Deco country villa
Q
Comments (13)
Definitely art deco. This is a hard one. From houzz pictures, it looks as though you could extend the Juliet floor out and then add a roof but a builder would have to figure that one out. You could have another roof line on the side and have your porch there and access it from inside, which might turn out even better as you would have a great summer entertaining spot. Have you put in Art Deco in exterior photos? Great ideas.
...See More
Make my room more impressive
Q
Comments (127)
Lots of ideas....couldn't resist adding my two cents. i copied your photos and did a little cut and paste- it's messy, but hopefully gets the main idea across. i'd put your sofa in front of the large book case, chair by the fireplace, tv on the stand on the wall opposite the fireplace - so you can either look at the fire or the tv. Someone suggested using frames of one color for your photos - an inexpensive way to do that would be to spray paint them all a dark color-black goes with everything. Since your shelves are a medium tone wood, display things that are dark or light so that they contrast against the wood. Limiting your display items pallette to a few values usually helps to unify things. (I think that's why so many people want to paint the shelves or put inserts in the back to help your nice things read more clearly...some get lost). If you want to "splurge" -you may consider having a carpenter make a few solid tall cabinet doors to provide a visual break in the shelving. I'm showing 3 doors - 1 on the right side of the fireplace and 2 on the left to leave two open vertical shelves for display on each side - with things arranged to frame the fireplace as the focal point. To add some height to your big vases, consider stacking some books beneath them. Enjoy experimenting untill you get something you're happy with - good luck!
...See More
Wooden floors in the kitchen??
Q
Comments (20)
I have to join this discussion of Hardwood in the kitchen. I am a little biased in this discussion because of being a tile contractor for almost 30 years. I have seen alot of hardwood kitchen floors. I have to give you the cons of putting hardwood in. Hardwood floors look great. As far as durability I am not sold. Hardwood floors look great when they are first put in. Depending on the traffic in the kitchen I give them about 4 to 5 years is when you see significant wear. I have seen alot of hardwood floors in kitchens with water damage. Now I know you think you wont have a leak from your dishwasher, refrigerator or a general plumbing leak. Well these things do happen and when it does the hardwood needs to be totally removed. Some times this is not so easy if the hardwood goes under the base cabinets. I am not saying do not put hardwood in the kitchen I think you should look at whats going to work for you. There are plenty of porcelain tiles that will give you the look of hardwood but give you the durability of a porcelain tile. Tile installed properly will last a long time. Hardwood will last but it will look warn to the point that it would need to be refinished at a cost around $2000.00 depending on the size of the room. I don't want to upset the hardwood floor lovers I have it all over my house except the bathrooms and kitchen. The floor is 20 years old 4 kids 2 dogs and still looks great. I am sure what ever you choose it will look great.
...See More
need help for outdoor pool
Q
Comments (6)
Hi Ken, I'm the Community Manager at Houzz UK, so I'm here to make sure you have a good user experience! Unfortunately, I can't help you with your swimming pool, but there might be someone from the pro community who can! You can also search our Find a Pro directory if you want to get in touch with an expert and you need to hire someone. Here's the link: http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals Best of luck!
...See More
PRO
De Biasse & Seminara Architects, PC
8 years ago
you do get what you pay for -

Figure out what the requirements are for the area you plan to build - and google 'why should I hire an architect?' to get opinions from the AIA, the WSJ and Building Advisor.com. I personally think you should... :).
Jody Miller thanked De Biasse & Seminara Architects, PC
Kirk
8 years ago
Hello Jody,

I am thinking that you can find an architect for considerably less than your 15 to 20%. Regardless, a good architect brings much more to a project than just the blueprints. He should be your advocate throughout the entire building process.

For the price of home you're considering building, I strongly suggest you consider hiring an architect or at a bare minimum, find a designer with a draftsman on their staff.

I always suggest you seek (and research) references, both recent and in years past, for whomever you may hire. This means for an architect, designer, and especially for your builder.

I hope this helps,

Kirk, MVH
Jody Miller thanked Kirk

Sponsored

Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore

More Discussions

How would you lay out this bathroom?

10

Belgian style renovation of small building to office/ studio

0

basement level renovation would love ideas please

8

Single story extension

1

Help, do i cancel the windows order

1

Ireland

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.