Home Renovations: Hire an Architect

If you are undertaking a home renovation project, which could include renovating, remodeling, or a complete tear down, consider using an architect, even if you are a do-it-yourselfer. Why?

Here is Popular Mechanics' article “5 Reasons Architects Are Worth the Money to Redo Your Home” by Joseph Truini:

"If you're like most homeowners, you probably dream of one day completing a major home-remodeling project. And I'm not talking about retiling a tub here. This is the once-in-a-lifetime renovation—the kind that dramatically changes how you live, energizes the entire household, and makes all the neighbors really jealous. Perhaps your dream is to build a two-story addition with a family room below and a master bedroom and bath above. Or maybe you've always wanted to expand the kitchen and install French doors leading to a wraparound deck. Regardless of what your dream entails, all major remodeling projects can benefit from the expert design help of an experienced, licensed architect. I know what you're thinking: Architects are way too expensive and only necessary when building multimillion-dollar homes—and last week's economic roller coaster isn't helping any. The truth is, architects are well worth the extra cost on large remodeling jobs because with thoughtful evaluation and design, they can meet—and often exceed—your expectations. In fact, depending on the size or complexity of the remodeling, calling in an architect might be the only way to get the project off the ground, and to ensure your dream comes true. Here's why you consider taking the plunge if you're gung ho about a large-scale redux on the house.

1. To See the Big Picture
An architect has the training and skill to produce a detailed design based on your particular needs and desires—a design that's sensitive to the architecture of your existing home, and scaled to the proper proportions. However, what truly makes an architect valuable is the ability to develop and refine a vision of the completed project that you can see and understand. And architects are experts at seeing not only the big picture, but also the hundreds of tiny steps between concept and completion."

Read more: Popular Mechanics