10 Times to Hire an Architect
These pros help solve design problems, manage projects, build smarter homes and much more
Laura Gaskill
February 9, 2023
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Wondering if it’s time to hire an architect? Architects are highly trained, licensed professionals who design buildings and often oversee their construction. If you are thinking of remodeling, adding on or building from scratch, an architect might be the partner you need to see your project through. Here are 10 times it makes sense to invite an architect to bring their vision and creative problem solving to bear on your project.
1. You Want to Add Value to Your Home
If you’ve been thinking of remodeling or adding onto your home, working with an architect from the beginning is a great way to add value and longevity to your project. Tackling a large remodeling project is a big expense — and unfortunately, it’s one that does not always translate into a corresponding increase in sale price down the road. Architect-designed homes and remodels are more appealing to buyers and can fetch a higher sale price when you decide to sell. And while hiring an architect will add to your overall bill (often a percentage of construction costs) their careful planning can also prevent costly mistakes.
Find an architect near you on Houzz
If you’ve been thinking of remodeling or adding onto your home, working with an architect from the beginning is a great way to add value and longevity to your project. Tackling a large remodeling project is a big expense — and unfortunately, it’s one that does not always translate into a corresponding increase in sale price down the road. Architect-designed homes and remodels are more appealing to buyers and can fetch a higher sale price when you decide to sell. And while hiring an architect will add to your overall bill (often a percentage of construction costs) their careful planning can also prevent costly mistakes.
Find an architect near you on Houzz
2. You Have a Tricky Problem to Solve
Architects are skilled at solving tricky design problems — and they love a good challenge. Whether you want to camouflage an unsightly feature, increase accessibility or work around a steep slope, a trained architect can come up with creative, elegant solutions.
When Dino Maniaci and Jason Hoke purchased the midcentury home shown here, they knew they wanted to open it up to the outdoors, but it wasn’t clear how that could be done — in their dense Madison, Wisconsin, neighborhood, exterior windows would only create privacy issues. Enter architect Stephen Bruns: To open up views to outdoor spaces without creating sight lines directly into neighbors’ homes, Bruns created a clever series of courtyards that maintain a sense of seclusion even as they connect the home with the outdoors.
See more of this contemporary home in Wisconsin
Architects are skilled at solving tricky design problems — and they love a good challenge. Whether you want to camouflage an unsightly feature, increase accessibility or work around a steep slope, a trained architect can come up with creative, elegant solutions.
When Dino Maniaci and Jason Hoke purchased the midcentury home shown here, they knew they wanted to open it up to the outdoors, but it wasn’t clear how that could be done — in their dense Madison, Wisconsin, neighborhood, exterior windows would only create privacy issues. Enter architect Stephen Bruns: To open up views to outdoor spaces without creating sight lines directly into neighbors’ homes, Bruns created a clever series of courtyards that maintain a sense of seclusion even as they connect the home with the outdoors.
See more of this contemporary home in Wisconsin
3. You’re Thinking of Buying Property
Whether you’re on the hunt for land to build on or a property to remodel and make your own, engaging the services of an architect early on in the process can help you avoid unnecessary (and potentially costly) hassles down the road. An architect can help walk you through the opportunities and challenges that a potential building site or existing structure presents so you can make an informed decision.
Whether you’re on the hunt for land to build on or a property to remodel and make your own, engaging the services of an architect early on in the process can help you avoid unnecessary (and potentially costly) hassles down the road. An architect can help walk you through the opportunities and challenges that a potential building site or existing structure presents so you can make an informed decision.
4. You Want Someone Else to Handle the (Endless) Details of a Big Project
When it comes to building and remodeling, the number of decisions that need to be made are enough to get even the most level-headed person ruffled. Your architect, if you choose to have them manage the project, will be responsible for not only the design, but also for negotiating with contractors, hiring a structural engineer if needed and getting building permits — so you can relax.
When it comes to building and remodeling, the number of decisions that need to be made are enough to get even the most level-headed person ruffled. Your architect, if you choose to have them manage the project, will be responsible for not only the design, but also for negotiating with contractors, hiring a structural engineer if needed and getting building permits — so you can relax.
5. Aesthetics Are a High Priority
For simple additions and remodels, a contractor or builder alone might be sufficient. But if aesthetics are important to you, an architect will have more to offer. To become licensed, an architect must have a bachelor’s or Master of Architecture degree, complete a three-year internship and pass a multiday exam. Architects are passionate about good design and will also be able to offer you a far wider range of options when it comes to materials and finishes.
For simple additions and remodels, a contractor or builder alone might be sufficient. But if aesthetics are important to you, an architect will have more to offer. To become licensed, an architect must have a bachelor’s or Master of Architecture degree, complete a three-year internship and pass a multiday exam. Architects are passionate about good design and will also be able to offer you a far wider range of options when it comes to materials and finishes.
6. You Want to Maximize Energy Efficiency
There’s a lot more to energy efficiency than choosing the right appliances and installing solar panels. If you want to maximize your home’s potential for efficiency, whether you’re remodeling or building from scratch, an architect can bring it to the next level.
When designing a home for his family in Singapore (shown here), architect Teo Yee Chin, along with colleages Liow Zhengping and Yeo Yih Hsiu of Red Bean Architects, knew that a climate-responsive design was a must. What they came up with was a house on stilts that allows air to circulate around the open ground floor, keeping the upper floors cool and comfortable.
Houzz Tour: A Climate-Responsive Home for an Architect’s Family
There’s a lot more to energy efficiency than choosing the right appliances and installing solar panels. If you want to maximize your home’s potential for efficiency, whether you’re remodeling or building from scratch, an architect can bring it to the next level.
When designing a home for his family in Singapore (shown here), architect Teo Yee Chin, along with colleages Liow Zhengping and Yeo Yih Hsiu of Red Bean Architects, knew that a climate-responsive design was a must. What they came up with was a house on stilts that allows air to circulate around the open ground floor, keeping the upper floors cool and comfortable.
Houzz Tour: A Climate-Responsive Home for an Architect’s Family
7. You Want to Honor Your Home’s Roots
Whether you’re looking to expand your home’s footprint or completely rebuild, an architect can help ensure that the new structure marries seamlessly with the old. And if you’re building an entirely new structure, a trained architect can design a home that sits well with the character of the neighborhood and region.
In the space shown here, Jimmy Crisp of Crisp Architects worked with the homeowners to fully remodel and add onto their original farmhouse, while respecting the original architecture. The additions, done in the Greek revival style, are consistent with the age of the home and the style of the region.
Whether you’re looking to expand your home’s footprint or completely rebuild, an architect can help ensure that the new structure marries seamlessly with the old. And if you’re building an entirely new structure, a trained architect can design a home that sits well with the character of the neighborhood and region.
In the space shown here, Jimmy Crisp of Crisp Architects worked with the homeowners to fully remodel and add onto their original farmhouse, while respecting the original architecture. The additions, done in the Greek revival style, are consistent with the age of the home and the style of the region.
8. You Want to Build Smaller and Smarter
Think architects only work on sprawling properties? Think again. If you’re an urban dweller who wants to make the most of your compact city home or have your heart set on a perfectly designed tiny house, an architect could be just what the (design) doctor ordered.
Italian architect Leonardo Di Chiara wanted to be able to explore the world — so he designed the 97-square-foot experimental house on wheels shown here. The interior of the tiny house features an ingenious system of furniture concealed within the walls, plus one wall of glass to let the sun stream in.
An Architect Chases the Dream of Nomadic Urban Living
Think architects only work on sprawling properties? Think again. If you’re an urban dweller who wants to make the most of your compact city home or have your heart set on a perfectly designed tiny house, an architect could be just what the (design) doctor ordered.
Italian architect Leonardo Di Chiara wanted to be able to explore the world — so he designed the 97-square-foot experimental house on wheels shown here. The interior of the tiny house features an ingenious system of furniture concealed within the walls, plus one wall of glass to let the sun stream in.
An Architect Chases the Dream of Nomadic Urban Living
9. You Want Extra Protection From Mother Nature
If you live in a region where wildfires, hurricanes, floods or mudslides are a danger, having a home designed to take on Mother Nature can offer some peace of mind.
In the indoor-outdoor Australian lake house shown here, the building is fully steel-framed and clad for fire resistance. Sprinklers on the roof can be remotely activated to provide fire protection if needed — an important feature in this fire-prone area.
In the Face of Disaster, Architects Are Redesigning Their Role
If you live in a region where wildfires, hurricanes, floods or mudslides are a danger, having a home designed to take on Mother Nature can offer some peace of mind.
In the indoor-outdoor Australian lake house shown here, the building is fully steel-framed and clad for fire resistance. Sprinklers on the roof can be remotely activated to provide fire protection if needed — an important feature in this fire-prone area.
In the Face of Disaster, Architects Are Redesigning Their Role
10. You’re Ready to Bring Your Dream Home to Life
You’ve been dreaming and scheming for years — if you’re finally ready to bring your dream home into the real world, an architect can work with you to make it happen. Whether your dream home looks like a Swiss ski chalet or embraces California-style indoor-outdoor living, there’s sure to be an architect for you.
You’ve been dreaming and scheming for years — if you’re finally ready to bring your dream home into the real world, an architect can work with you to make it happen. Whether your dream home looks like a Swiss ski chalet or embraces California-style indoor-outdoor living, there’s sure to be an architect for you.
Your turn: Have you worked with an architect you loved? Share what made the experience work well for you in the Comments.
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More 10 Times to Hire
Architect | Builder | Closet Designer | Color Consultant | Contractor | Design-Build Firm | Interior Designer | Kitchen Designer | Landscape Architect| Landscape Contractor | Professional Organizer
More on Houzz
Get design ideas
Find an architect
Browse products
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In order to age in place an architect can reconfigure your inside space if your zoning rules don't allow (or there is no room) to expand.
Sorry for your tragedy. we also had a bad experience with an architect. Researched several, Interviewed a few, and hired. $10,000 later we had only unuseable concept drawings that were all estimated to be over budget. To add to the disappointment none met our core requirements. We had to start over. Found an architect who worked with what we wanted, made our design concepts workable and solved several build problems as well. City approval was taking 6-8 weeks, but Her plans were approved in 2. At least second time we found someone we could work with.
Grace and Greenthumb. My footer on my email says "The project is the manifestation of all the people involved in the project." Weak link and all. Architecture is about people first. Some architects are in it as a business to make money, others love architecture and make their living by helping people realize their dreams.
I am an architect and builder - a lot of my work has to do with redoing the architecture as a money making business projects - looked great in their portfolios. They are good schmoozers and sales/marketing people. I can't stand them. Gov, religious boards, and big biz almost insist on them. I can't work with them either. I need experience, humility and/or open-minded people. I like working directly with the trades people in the field - no BS allowed - often side by side. My business suits are tennis shoes, t shirt and jeans. They are comfortable - and so am I.
i was admonished in firms that did gov work that I did not spend enough money (not enough frosting) - my projects came in under budget. Since I charge by the hour not commission that is my goal! Best project for the lowest cost is my pride and passion.