why hire an architect?

why hire an architect ?

Clients understand why hire an architect and the complexity of competent architectural design only upon practical completion.  I’ve met people after occupation and they regret not engaging an architect; sometimes losing $100,000’s to an unscrupulous builder.  Each project has unique design challenges: site, budget, structure, planning/building laws, material selections, building contracts and building trades.

An architectural faculty arms an architect with unique training and education to lead you in the design and build process.  An experienced architect can guide you through the complexity of architectural design, building services, construction methods, budgets and contracts. 

architects are problem solvers

1. Each university semester architectural design units in an architectural faculty train architects to be creative problem solvers. Each design project has an architectural brief that has to be satisfied with an architectural design.  Architects possess broad knowledge of design and construction which stimulates design options not readily apparent.  Architects are the only profession educated at university as a creative problem solver rather than draftspersons and builders.

architects generate higher property market values

2. Another reason why hire an architect is the creative solutions they bring to the table. An architect is experienced in the functional aesthetics of building design and brings delivers additional market value to your property.  A creative functional building layout gives you a marketing advantage when it comes to sell your custom home build.  Competent design increases asset values by creating increased demand in the real estate market.  You can increase your profitability in the real estate cycle through increased appraisal and resale value. 

professional architects are insured

3. A licensed or registered architect is bound by professional standards and ethics set by a state governmental body.  Acts, regulations and codes ensure that the architect meets legislated minimum standards as a fiduciary or your agent.  The architect has a duty of care to you the client and is required to maintain a Professional Indemnity Insurance.  The experience and backing an architect brings to the building procurement process ensures your peace of mind. 

architects reduce reduce building running costs with energy efficient design

4. Not only can architects raise the property value on real estate market – they can also reduce on-going running costs. Architects efficiently plan and specify products to increase the houses energy efficiency which reduces yearly utility costs.  Clients can incorporate passive solar design and net zero principles into the architectural brief you provide to your architect.  Your architect can specify: grey water systems, electricity generation, geothermal air-conditioning, water wise fixtures and energy efficiency fittings.  Cookie cutters generate enormous electricity, gas and water bills over the building’s lifecycle due to poor planning and design.

architects must meet budget

5. A motivation to why hire an architect, is achieving a building design that you can afford. Through legislation, an architect is bound to deliver the building design within a specific range of your building budget.  Professional architects take very seriously the obligation to meet the building budget.  Architects are skilled in value-engineering buildings and identifying building components that have been over-priced in the bid/tender.   Competent architectural design minimizes waste, eliminates costly mistakes and through a bid process delivers the client value-for-money.   Thorough architectural drawings make it easy for the bidders/tenderers to accurately price your custom home design.  Architectural revisions can be made easily on paper and at much less cost expensively than when construction is underway.

architects understand building approvals

6. Another reason of why hire an architect is that they are experienced in planning, zoning, building and health legislation. Architects regularly obtain planning a build permit approvals so can lead you through complex approval pathways.  The planning and building approval requirements are becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate and vary from local authority to authority.

architects project manage

7. A further reason why hire an architect is their formal education and training.  Architects are tertiary educated, workplace trained and project management experienced to see your project from concept to practical completion. The architect will design, document and superintend the builder through the construction phase.  Architects liaise with local authorities, co-ordinate sub-consultants during design, builders during construction – ensuring quality and stream lining procurement.

architects design to your brief

8. Your architect shall provide the customization your architectural brief requires to suit your personal circumstances. Architects absorb the architectural brief and tailor spaces to your specific lifestyle, personal preferences, site conditions and your architectural nuances.

architects design to optimum health

9. The architect is your advocate and is familiar with pertinent Occupational Health and Safety laws. Your architect will detail and specify your house for your optimum health.  The relationship between architecture and circadian health is significant.  Custom house designs that prioritize natural light promote better health and well being.  Architects also conduct Continuing Professional Education annually as part of their State license.  Architects’ Continuing Professional Education avoids common construction details that may impact your health. Architectural detailing can prevent weather penetration, wet area moisture migration causing mold or mildew, off-gassing and ‘sick building syndrome’.

durable materials for lengthened building life cycles

10. Your architect can specify a durable house for a lengthened building lifecycle. Your architect will research durable and hardy materials to avoid excessive building maintenance; thereby reducing annualized building maintenance costs.  Through contract superintendence, your architect will ensure the builders makes no cheap substitutions or contract commissions.