Professional design does not cost it pays!

Building your own home is a vast undertaking, but there are a range of professionals out there whose jobs are to help you create the new home you are dreaming about. Choosing which kind of and how many professionals you work with–a professional building designer, a builder, an interior designer, a kitchen & bath specialist depends on your budget and what you want to accomplish. Professional Building Designers are the first and foremost professional to contact. Professional Building Designers are specialists in residential design, and are the best choice to guide you through the design/building experience. Building a home incurs the greatest financial burden most people will face in a lifetime, and yet few envision how complex the process is until they are tangled in a jungle of codes, ordinances, design options, product and contractor choices.

Why work with a professional building designer?

Why should you hire a residential design professional at all? Professional Building Designers know what works and what does not work functionally, aesthetically and financially. Their expertise can keep you from making costly mistakes. A Professional Building Designer will also have more access to and knowledge of state-of-the-art products available in the marketplace. Whether its outfitting you closet with the storage system that suits your lifestyle best, or investing in the best quality flooring for the money, a professional can help you make wise product choices that suit your needs. If you have a vague idea of what you want your new home to look like, but you are not sure of all the details, a professional can help you to clarify the vision you want and fit the budget you have available.

How do i find a professional building designer?

Ask neighbors, friends, co-workers, and professionals you trust whom they would recommend. Ask for and review the professionals entire portfolio not just one project. Ask for and check out references and professionals affiliations. It is important that you choose someone you can talk to and not feel intimidated by, and someone whose opinion you respect. He or she is there to make your vision a reality, not to create a vision of his or her own. Clear communication between you and the consultant is the key. Ask questions about the fee structure. Is there an hourly rate or an overall design fee that covers the entire project? Is a retainer required upon signing the contract? Negotiate a payment schedule that serves you both. Some design/build professionals or material suppliers may offer a design service for free. In many cases the design service is not free, but later are worked into the material/construction cost. Beware of these types of services. Their advice on types of materials or design options may not be in your best interest. By hiring a independent professional building designer, you are getting an honest, unbiased view on types of materials to use and the design options you have.

How do I prepare?

Ask plenty of questions along the way. It is up to you to know what is going on every step of the way. Design and building professionals are not in business to build and design what they want, but are hired by you to realize your vision. To make the most of this opportunity, you need to prepare for your collaboration with them. Here are some ways to prepare: Be sure you have a good idea of what your likes and dislikes are and write them down. Take note of your preferences in colors and design to establish your home style. Think about how you currently use your rooms and write down what you would like to change. Be sure to note any problems. Is there too little storage? Not enough ventilation? List what features you’d like to have and don’t have now, and then prioritize so the professionals know what you’d like most if all options are not possible or affordable. Think about traffic patterns, storage and ample lighting. Do you want a snack bar and a breakfast eating area? Establish a budget and stick to it, and be open to substitutions and ideas offered by the design professional that might achieve your goal in a better way than you had originally imagined.

Portions of the above information provided by the American Institute of Building Design.