Why work with a home designer before consulting with home builders?
If you’re looking to build a new home or are planning an addition/renovation, working with an architectural home designer is a critical first step. While many homeowners are eager to select a builder, there are many reasons why consulting with a home designer should be the first step in your project. Home designers are experts in architecture, interior and exterior design, permit processes and construction. They specialize in creating custom homes, additions and renovations that are tailored to your specific needs and wants, and help prepare you for the building process.
Home designers add far more value than what it seems on the surface. From ensuring your home design meets zoning & authority requirements to helping you select materials and finishes, home designers can save you time and money during the building phase. Home designers are well-versed in the latest trends in design and construction, and they understand the importance of creating a home that is to the client’s style & preferences, comfortable & functional, and energy-efficient, all while abiding by building codes & zoning bylaws.
Working with a home designer will save you money, optimize your build, and will minimize the hassle during the permit & construction phase. Below are the top reasons why you should work with a home designer before consulting a builder.
1. Own Your Design Plans
Don’t let home builders hold your designs hostage. While some home builders have preferred architectural designers they contract out, and others have an in-house designer, any plans created through builders are owned by them. You cannot take the house plans you have created with them to shop around with other builders, which is an important step in the process. Interviewing multiple home builders ensures you are working with an experienced builder that aligns with your budget, style and timeline and one that you can trust. Home designers provide architecturally-sound house designs that not only allow you to visualize your dream house or renovation, but also give you the flexibility to take your designs to discuss with multiple home builders. This allows you to interview builders and select the one best suited for your project. Control the quoting process by owning your designs.
2. Understand Zoning & Permits
Home designers understand zoning bylaws and can provide advice and expertise in the permit requisition process, two steps that are often daunting tasks when building a new home or planning for an addition or renovation. A home designer will help you understand the differences in residential and agricultural zoning bylaws, and specialty regulations such as building in conservation or escarpment regulated areas. A designer will help you understand your property and find the best location to build your new home, addition, garage, and so on. They will help you best optimize your space while abiding by zoning regulations and building codes and suggest unique architectural features based on your property such as the possibility of a walkout basement or sunlight exposure.
3. Hire An Objective Confidant
Knowledge is always key in ensuring you make the right decisions and it’s no different when you’re shopping for a custom home builder or a contractor for your renovation. Hiring a house designer before selecting a builder or contractor is a great way to obtain objective feedback on the building process, estimated costs, timelines and even potential builders’ past history. Your home designer will help you understand the different methods for building your home, addition or garage and suggest the best options based on your budget and preferences. They can also propose reputable builders in the area that you can trust and that align with your style, budget and building preferences. Working with a home designer will help prepare you to ask the right questions and have a foundation of knowledge when interviewing home builders. This will set you up for success when you’re ready to start building, ensuring you are knowledgeable in the building process.
4. Bring Your Dream to Life
Designing your home’s architecture, optimizing its layout and choosing the right materials and finishes is an exciting, but often overwhelming task. Home designers can help you navigate this process by providing suggestions for different materials, finishes, layouts and furniture placement for each room in your home based on your lifestyle and budget. Home designers will often provide 3D renderings so you can visualize the layout and design easily rather than relying on confusing building and architectural plans. Home designers can also help suggest materials suitable for your use case such as pet-resistant flooring, energy efficient appliances, and so on.
5. Hold The Stress
Applying for permits is another stress-inducing step in the build process. Experienced designers can provide guidance and help you submit plans and all other supporting documents to your local building department to obtain approvals and permits, so you can focus on the fun parts of building and designing your new home!
In essence, architectural home designers will ensure you have the right foundation for a successful build or renovation project, and will save you time, money and stress in the process. A home designer will guide you through all the necessary steps so you are ready to hand your detailed design plans over to your contractor/builder to start bringing your vision to life!
Looking for a home designer to kick off your new project? At Rijus Home Design, we have been in business for 40 years and counting and have designed thousands of homes, renovations, additions, garages, and cottages in Niagara, Hamilton, the GTA and all across Ontario. We focus on custom residential designs and architecture. We offer customers the opportunity to choose from our library of home designs or create one from scratch. Our experienced team will not only create a superior design, but can support you with everything from understanding building codes, zoning bylaws, HVAC design, structural engineering, selecting home builders and more. We are a one-stop shop making the home building process as seamless as possible for our clients. Learn more about Rijus Home Design or contact us today to get started.
