Probably one of the most important projects of our lives is the construction of your house and the choice of the architecture studio that will take care of the design and construction will be the most important in a long series of decisions that you must make. Choosing the right Architect will save you a lot of headaches down the line while making these decisions infinitely easier.
Before starting with these all-important questions it is important to know the following:
What does an Architect do?
An architect is a professional dedicated to the planning and supervision of the construction of any living space, for example, houses and buildings. An architect’s work in addition to design includes the calculation, construction, direction, recommendations for materials, construction systems, and/or any advice to get the most out of your investment.
Your architect must be empathetic and detailed to know all your needs through previous interviews before starting with the planning of your project. Your architect must also deal with the laws, rules, and regulations that the municipality establishes for construction.
Why hire an Architect?
The Construction Professional plays a multifunctional role throughout the development and construction of a project. Here are some of the attributes:
- The client. The architect manages a client's needs program as a priority, so he is the one who best knows the spatial needs of his project.
- The formation. The architect is a technician with training and experience to design, coordinate, and manage building projects. You know how to optimize the available space, consider environmental care, and achieve optimal value with minimal resources.
- Creativity. Before submitting a proposal, the architect explores all the alternatives that are adapted to the needs and budget of each client, therefore, he evaluates the economic and functional viability of his project.
- The technique. The architect with his knowledge and experience in design meets the best conditions to present alternatives. A well-designed and constructively materialized project will be more sustainable and require lower maintenance costs.
- The administration. The advantage of managing a budget is knowing how much will be spent, how the money will be used, and thus avoiding unforeseen expenses. The definition of the project and the control during development are key to bringing your work to fruition.
- The responsibility. During the construction process, the architect makes sure that the works are carried out according to the project and solves any unforeseen events. In addition, it has the support of a surety for the issuance of guarantees.
- The materials. The architect produces plans and specifications selecting materials and finishes, based on their quality, beauty, durability, and cost. You can offer, depending on the budget, many alternatives
- Procedures. The architect knows well the bureaucratic procedures before government agencies and the administrative management of each project. This allows facilitating the management of licenses, current insurance, and compliance with regulations.
- Monitoring. After building your Project you can count on adequate and precise support for the preventive maintenance of your assets.
1. What do I need to build my house?
The land. Knowing the dimensions, the type of soil, and the restrictions that a property may have, are determining factors for the project, knowing them is a point that you can use in your favor.
The project. Made by a Construction Professional are the technical documents where the distribution of spaces, dimensions, and qualities are reflected.
The budget and planning. It is vital that a thoroughly laid out project plan of the work is developed together with the architect, clearly outlining the various stages of the project. With a solid plan in place, you can organize yourself, the expenses, and the purchase of materials. Good planning translates into tranquility and can potentially save you a number of unwanted expenses.
Procedures. They may sound simple, but you need to have some papers in order such as:
- Land Use Certificate
- Proof of alignment and/or official number
- Construction License Application.
2. What design best suits our needs?
From this answer, the plans that will make your house a reality will start. It is important that the architect has all the information possible, how many people will live under the same roof, what architectural styles seem most attractive to us, if we want one or more floors, how important is the garden and the exteriors, what we expect from the social areas, how many bedrooms we want and if we need them to be ensuite or not and above all, how do our expectations adapt to the budget we have and to the lot or land where we plan to build.
3. Who will personally take care of our project?
Large architectural firms tend to have many professionals who are assigned different projects. If you hire one of them, it is important to determine from the first moment who will be in charge of the construction and decide whether or not you are satisfied with the choice.
The person who will be in charge of designing and building your house has to be someone who not only seems talented and competent to us but must also inspire confidence and you must feel comfortable in their presence. Bear in mind that a multitude of hot topics and moments of stress are common in these projects, so it is better to choose well from the beginning.