After you have selected a designer

Posted on August 23, 2007 by draftdoug

After you have selected a designer, you should prepare the following.

List all the rooms that you want in your home.  Next, list everything that you want in each room.  Such as floor finish, type of ceiling, trim design, appliances, lighting, etc.  Then describe the location of each room as it relates to the others.  Collect pictures from magazines that will show your designer what style exterior and interior that you like.  And last, right down your budget for the project.  Giving your designer all of this data in the beginning will save time and will communicate in writting what you are looking for in your new home.

 

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Selecting your residential designer

Posted on December 5, 2006 by draftdoug

Here are some things to consider when selecting your residential designer or architect.

 

1.               Never select one based purely on price alone. 

Whether it’s the low priced or the high priced firm.   The low guy will most likely not give you the best set of plans.  Remember you can not pay a little and get a lot but sometimes you can pay a lot and get a little.  The high priced firm might not give the best value for your money.  You might be paying for name recognition.

2.              Always ask to see examples of their construction documents.

Take note on how many sheets and how detailed the plans are and mentally compare between 2 or 3 other firms.  Are the plans neat and readable?  Do the plans have enough wall sections and details?  Plans that do not have sufficient details will cost you money during construction.

3.              Ask for a list of past clients.

Contact both individuals and general contractors that have worked with the firm in the past.  Ask them if there were any problems with the plans and if they would work with them again.

  

 

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