How do i go about hiring somebody to plan out a house?Architect?

Question

we just purchased land and would like to hire somebody to draw out plans up for a house but don't know how to go about it does anyone have any suggestions? do we hire a Architect?

Answer 1

you can start by looking at house plans on a website such as www.eplans.com. When you find a plan you like or  a couple of plans you like, then you can hire an architect to modify the plans(and/or incorporate features of a couple of homes) for you. If you don't need any modifications then you wont need to get an architect, just to order the plans.

Answer 2

1. Know what your want in a house.  Drive through neighborhoods and snap photos of styles you like.  Look through home improvement/design books and clip pictures.  Think about what is important to you in a house.  Entertaining, home office/study, family spaces.  Where is your view from the lot.  How do you see your needs changing over the next 10 year.  The more information you have for the architect, the better he/she can serve you and it will cost you less.

2.  Talk w/ contractors in your area that are building houses that you like.  Find out who they recommend.  They will know who does good drawings and who does poor drawings.

3.  Try to hire a local architect who is familar with your local building regs, weather patterns, construction practices, etc.

4.  An architect is going to cost you substantially more than flipping through plan books or ordering plans off the internet but if you find a good architect you will have a home that is tailored to your needs.

5.  Architects charge either by a percentage of the total cost to build or on an hourly basis.  If you have your sh*t together, you will usually come out ahead w/ an hourly agreement but remember that you are paying an architect for his/her time.  The more organized you are every time you communicate with the architect, the less the project will cost.  If you have no clue what you want and have a hard time organizing your thoughts you will probably be better off hiring on a per job basis.

6.  If you go with a house designed by an architect you don't have to worry about someone two houses down buying the same plans off the internet and having the same house built next to you.  I've seen this happen a few times and it isn't pretty.