Everyone has an idea of what the perfect home looks like and how it functions - that is why designing and building a home tailored to you is the dream for so many.
Choosing to build a custom home means you can bring those ideas to life by having an architect incorporate your vision into your home's design. The key to reaching your home design goals is finding the right architect who will design around your topography, within your budget, and understands your taste. But cost per square foot isn't the only measure you should go by when choosing an architect.
Interviewing potential architects and designers is just as important as interviewing your home builder. Here are a few things to think about when choosing your architect:
- Does your architect have experience in the architectural style you are looking for? If you're looking for something that fuses a couple of different styles, you'll want to see their portfolio for both!
- What is their working style? If you live by lists, make sure your architect has a buttoned up process. However, if your architect is too rigid for your tastes, that isn't a good fit either.
- Take a look at their deliverables. You'll want to see how they communicate designs with their clients and have an idea of what they provide when the process is complete.
- How does their communication style fit yours? If you are more introverted, it could be overwhelming to sit in a room for hours trying to communicate with someone who has a large team, and vice-versa!
- Has your builder worked with them before? Getting recommendations from your builder is ideal because they've built to plans designed by that architect before and knows their strengths and weaknesses.
Sounds easy enough, right? Truth be told, building a custom home can be challenging, especially for those new to the process. There are many moving parts and many people don't realize how much coordination it can take when working with a builder, architect, and designer.
Build Your Dream Home Building Team
Your custom home design/build team includes your builder, architect, and designer who work collaboratively to turn your dream into a reality.
Here's what each role entails:
Custom Home Builder/General Contractor
The builder is typically the main point of contact when building a custom home. He or she is responsible for a wide range of tasks that keep your project running smoothly. In addition to reviewing the homesite, the builder will provide cost input based on your design and work directly with the architect while your home design is being mapped out. The builder will also help you prepare for the home building process, making you aware of common challenges and letting you know what to expect throughout.
Architect or Designer
An architect is adept at listening to your ideas and turning them into a tangible design concept, and then a buildable home.
Your builder and architect work together directly to design the right plan for your goals. Using the builder's knowledge of your homesite, the architect can create a design that accommodates any intricacies. The builder also gives direct feedback on costs associated with the current materials & labor costs for design elements, ensuring the design stays within your budget.
Selections & Design Team
The design team is responsible for helping you define the aesthetics of your new home. With their guidance, the design of your new home will be cohesive, balanced, and functional while still reflecting your style and unique needs. They'll also work collaboratively with your builder to ensure your project remains on budget and on time.
In most cases, the selections phase of the home building process will kick off once there are a solid set of construction documents to work from. This allows you to select the design elements, such as lighting and flooring, and fit them into the home plan. By working with a dream team of builders, architects, and designers your completed home will be everything you'd hoped and more.
There are a lot of resources on our website to help you find the right building team for your custom home's construction. You can also reach out to us and we'd be happy to offer recommendations!