The next step in renovating a home is hiring the right Architect.  Before we start on that, lets talk about my last blog.  In my last blog we talked about what needs to be done before you start the renovation process.

• Getting your budget together
• Look at comparables in the neighborhood
• Deciding on the types of renovations you want to complete
• Deciding how long you plan on being in your home

Hiring the Right Architect

If you have not completed these steps, then you need to get these done and then move forward. If you have not had a chance to read the first blog – here you go.  Renovating my home what you need to do first.

So the next step depends on what kind of renovation and loan you will be doing.  For us, we had to hire an architect.  We were adding on an addition to the home and gutting the existing house.  So we needed to have architectural drawings for the builder and the lender to understand the scope of the work.  If you are just renovating your kitchen and keeping the same layout, then any builder or contractor could do that.  If it is a major renovation or changing an existing Floor Plan, then you will need a architect.

Finding a good and reasonable architect can be challenging.  Architects are not cheap and some won’t even look at a project if it is not big enough.  We found that prices can range from $5,000 – $25,000 for our level of project.  Don’t be hesitant because of that.  If you interview Architects, you will find one that will fit your budget.  Remember this, If you are buying or renovating a home in East Cobb, Atlanta, Smyrna, etc. make sure you find and interview architects that have worked  in the area where your home is.

There are two ways an architect can budget a project.  One is by the project itself and the other is by the hour.  We hired an architect that charges by the hour.   We felt that the architects that had a project price were much higher than the hourly price and that they were overcharging for our project.

When interviewing architects, have a good set of questions that will help you to best understand the way each architect approaches the project and charge fees.  Below are some great questions I got from the American Institute of Architects and I have added a few as well.

Question to Ask When Interviewing an Architect

• What sets your firm apart from other architects with similar experience?
• Do you have experience with the building type and size of my project?
• Will you share with me a portfolio of similar projects and provide a list of client references?
• Who from the architecture firm will I be dealing with us on a regular basis? Is this the person who will design my project?
• What challenges do you foresee for my project?
• What do you see as the important issues or considerations in my project?
• What is your estimated timetable for my project?
• What means will you use to collect information about my needs, goals, etc.?
• How will you help me to fully understand the scope and sequence of the project? Will you utilize models, drawings, or computer animation?
• What are the steps in the design process, and how are they organized?
• What criteria will be used to establish priorities and make design decisions?
• What do you expect me to provide?
• What role do you have during construction? Am I expected to work with the contractor directly
• How do you establish fees?
• In anticipation of a formal proposal with costs, what would you expect your fee to be for this project?
• What is included in your basic services and what services would incur additional fees?
• If the scope of the project changes later in the project, will there be additional fees? How will these fees be justified? How will this be communicated to me?
• What is your track record with completing a project within the original budget?

The biggest thing that we wanted, was to make sure we found an architect that has worked with clients who bought or had homes in Smyrna and if possible our subdivision, Forest Hills.  We got lucky and found a person who knew both and has done work in our subdivision.

I would interview at least three to five architects to get a good idea of their prices, ideas for the project, how they will meet your needs, and understand what you want.  The best thing to do is get an idea of what you want before you start interviewing.  For many years, my wife and I drew different layouts and designs to see what we would like best.  My wife started a pinterest page of all of her ideas of what she wanted the house to look like.  This included design, flooring, color, rooms types.  She had everything.  We shared our ideas with our architect and he took all the ideas and started drawing.

The best way to describe the process – it is an evolving design that will change many times.  It took us almost seven months to get the design we liked.  We had eight changes over the seven months.  That did not include the quick emails about moving a window or questions about ceiling height, etc.  It is a long process but really fun.

What Your Drawings Should Include:

When you get a final set of drawings they should be complete.  A builder should be able to take the drawing and understand the scope of the project and give you a good estimate of cost.  I have included a list of what should be in the final architectural drawings.

•  Cover page which should include a table of contents and all the architects information
• As built floor plan – current floor plan of house
• Levels of the floor plan – Main floor, basement, second floor, etc
• Different elevations of the home
• Electrical plan/light plan
• Proposed roof plan
• Cabinet elevations and drawings or how they will look
• Exterior perspectives –  Images of what the exterior of the house will look like from different angles
• Interior perspectives – Images of what the interior of the house will look like from different angles
• Window and door schedule – type and measurements of the doors and windows

I have attached a copy of our first and last architectural drawings of our home.  This will help you see the differences of how it looked.  We had originally thought about two phases for our home so we have two different drawings of the new addition in there as well.  We actually decided on just one plan.  For budgetary reasons we decided to wait on the carport and driveway.

Architectural Drawing #1

Final Drawing – Complete plan

Where to Find an Architect?

My wife was the one that researched architects and pre-screened them.  Below are some good places to start looking.

• Referrals from friends or a Realtor
• Builders you might know
• Houzz.com
• Angie’s List

These are just a few.  My wife had really good success with Houzz.com.  That is where we found most of the architects that we interviewed and the one we hired.  Take your time with each part of the process – always interview and call references – it is your money and time.  Find the architect that you feel fits what you are looking for and that you can trust to get the job completed and done right.  We found a great architect and he was wonderful to work with.

Additional Information

Renovating your home:  First steps

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