Turning a clients’ vision into a masterpiece starts with building the right team.
Traditionally, people are conditioned to follow a certain, linear path to building or remodeling a home. That is, hire an architect or designer to create the plans, select a builder and then maybe bring in a stylist or interior designer to apply the finishing touches.
n reality, this step-by-step approach is not only outdated, but can be risky in terms of cost and quality. A better approach is to form your project team from the outset. This fosters a cooperative, trusting relationship, rather than a combative or competitive working environment that produces more satisfying results. It’s also a dynamic that’s more likely to ensure you’ll get what you want at the price you can afford.
Bringing your design and building professionals together as soon as possible helps them dedicate their efforts to meeting your needs and looking out for your budget.
Selecting a professional builder or remodeler at the outset of your project allows that company to work with an architect or designer to deliver plans and specifications that are realistic and can actually be built. It also increases the likelihood that the project will come in on time and on budget.
Too often, the old approach left builders having to argue changes to the plans and specifications that sometimes compromised a home’s aesthetic value, if only to make it affordable. Downsizing is difficult. No one wants to be disappointed or feel like they had to sacrifice something—especially a favorite feature or product—because it was discovered to be too pricey.
This is much less likely to happen when architect and builder are working together early in the process. By combining their expertise, they can ensure that what’s drawn can be built without sacrificing design quality and staying within budget. This collaboration can result in a far better housing value.
Here are some additional reasons to bring in a builder or remodeler early:
Materials ordering. Some products and materials require long lead times—perhaps months—between order and delivery. We can identify these situations and place an order so that product delivery will not delay the construction schedule.
Code compliance. More so than design professionals, we know the applicable building codes as interpreted by the local authority and inspectors. We can help ensure that plans will be approved for a permit the first time they are submitted. When plans are kicked back for changes, a home start can be delayed, or worse, a job may be stopped midway to address a code issue.
We also know when and how to submit for a building permit and schedule necessary inspections during construction to establish and maintain a tight building schedule from the beginning.
Buildability. You can draw anything, but even something as seemingly simple as a window or door needs to be installed properly. If allowed to be part of your home’s planning process, we and our expert subcontractors can quickly and easily identify potential installation issues before they become costly problems on the job site.
A strong relationship among all partners is essential to every project. A collaborative effort from the outset allows ideas and information to flow among you, your builder/remodeler, design professional and stylist before anyone commits a significant amount of time and money to your house. Sharing ideas and alternatives to achieve the best result is a far better approach than discovering a better idea too late, or not at all.
