architect vs. residential designer?
petchia
15 years ago
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petchia
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Design/build vs. separate architect/designer and builder?
Comments (28)There were two separate contracts with the design build team. I only signed one for the design. I think I had them modify the design contract not to include final construction plans. We did not move forward to the construction plans as I opted not to go forward with them. All I got from them was a few 8x11 sheets of papers with sketches for the design plan, most of which were my idea as to changes I wanted to implement in the house. The quote for the build phase was very expensive. The architect has a design phase and a construction drawing phase. I am paying as we go along. I have changed course with the project from what I initially wanted to do with the design build team. I started off wanting to do a master bathroom remodel, but have decided to do a master bedroom/bathroom addition. The architect has produced large architectural drawings for every change in the design phase. We are now in the construction phase of the drawings. I took the design plans to a contractor who gave me a ball park estimate. Since it was in my budget (and I know the ctr. cannot give me a true estimate without seeing the final plans), I had the architect move forward with the contsruction plans. That is where the project is now. So far, I am much happier with the architect/ contractor route....See MoreArchitect vs Residential Designer... which one?
Comments (16)As with any profession, there are great architects and poor architects. And there are also great designers and poor designers. I personally know architects I wouldn't trust to design a house for my dog (Here Miss Martha just got up, commenced with excessive tail wagging, put her front paws on my thighs and is trying to mightily to lick my face) "DOWN GIRL...DOWN!! No I'm not letting any of those people design your house!" And back when I had a big firm (16 people with 6 architects) we had a guy who started out as the office boy as a senior in high school but 5 years later he was our lead designer. VERY creative. Over the years encouraged him to get a degree but no interest. Here he would be called a designer. And I would have trusted him to design my own house.....(and Miss Martha just barked in agreement when she saw I typed that!). You wrote "While the designer did not show me any of his plans and I didn't even think to ask to see them, the architect did and they are SO detailed". I guess you're referring to the technical side of services which anybody can do given training while I'm talking about the CREATIVE side which requires more of an inborn ability, the reason why the simple ownership of a CAD program does not impart creative design talent. In that regard a key test is to find out in his or her process is if they do any designing right in front to you with you at the table. I've always been a believer that the best designers are fast on their feet and if a person always has to go back to their shop to design, they're probably not that good. Depending on project complexity, we all do that to a certain degree but if it's 100% of the time, find somebody else....See MoreArchitect vs. Kitchen Designer
Comments (5)Good question. The answer depends on where you establish the boundaries for the design task. If the task is to stay with the space that defines the existing kitchen, you'll be well served with a professional kitchen designer (not a big box store cabinet expert.) If you're open to changing the existing structure--as you indicated--investing in an architect to develop a couple of alternative concepts would be a great place to start....See Moredesign build vs architect
Comments (8)I'm an advocate of the design-build project delivery method because design and construction are highly interdependent activities. The American Institute of Architects endorses the approach, which they've labelled "integrated project delivery" or IPD. That said, you don't need to settle for a "lesser" design quality from a design-build company nor should you expect a higher cost of construction--that's fundamental to the design-build approach. Some design-build firms have licensed architects and/or licensed engineers on staff. Some are owned and operated by architects. Whether you choose a design-build firm or an independent architect for the design task, the plans and specifications should clearly and accurately document the project scope. That's in everyone's best interest. Ask to see sample plans so your can compare. Compare the cost of the plans, too. If you go the independent architect route, I recommend you select your contractor at the same time and get them on the design team early on. That way your contractor can inform the design with real-world cost information. In the covid-19 world, historical cost data that architects may have is, well, out the window-- and it doesn't matter whether it's an egress window or not....See Moreobwannab
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