*This is a guest post*
It is becoming increasingly common for would-be homeowners to go down
the self-build route. Buying real estate from a developer means you have to
live with someone else’s design. This doesn’t work for everyone, so although
designing and building a home from the ground up might seem like an expensive
luxury, it can actually save you money.
What
does an Architect Do?
Architecture is a highly skilled job. An architect doesn’t just draw an
artistic representation of what a home will look like, although he will produce
a schematic design for the construction team. He is actually responsible for a
great deal of things, including deciding what materials will be used, planning
the services and utilities, problem solving, and project management.
Architects don’t come cheap, but they offer value for money if you want
an individual home of much higher quality than a standard piece of real estate
constructed by a regular homebuilder.
Problem
Solving
The great thing about architects is that they are skilled at coming up
with creative solutions to the problem of light, space and function. It is not
easy to design a home that works efficiently whilst being aesthetically
pleasing. An architect’s job is to listen to your wish list, take it on board,
and come up with a design that looks amazing, yet is entirely practical.
Sustainable
Living
Many architects specialize in designing eco-friendly homes made for sustainable living. They are familiar with the latest
developments in green technology and can design a property that is both aesthetically
pleasing and energy efficient. Buildings don’t just need to be beautiful – they
also need to be functional, so if you want to do your bit for the environment
and reduce your carbon footprint, you definitely need an architect to help you
build a modern home.
When you hire an architect, you get a wealth of experience. They have
usually designed and supervised the construction of hundreds of homes and
commercial buildings, so they know what works and what doesn’t. They have the
expertise to be able to steer you away from an impractical design that just
wouldn’t work, and come up with a design you love that will work much better.
Hiring
the Right Person
Hiring an architect is an important decision. It is essential that you
share the same vision for your home, so make sure you interview several
different people and check their portfolio before you make a final decision.
Mistakes made when designing and building a home can be extremely costly. An
architect’s job is to help you avoid expensive mistakes and look out for your
interests from inception to completion of the building project. If you hire the
right person, it could be the best decision you ever make.