Are you thinking of adding space to your home?

There are several misconceptions about architects, perhaps the most typical one being that architects are only hired for designing a house from the ground up. Even then, you might be tempted to shy away from using an architect thinking that they’re all expensive and they wear funny glasses.

Architects, despite their perceived whimsical nature, are very practical and skilled professionals. If you want to make your home larger by constructing an addition, adding another floor or expanding the attic or roof area, an architect can transform your dream into reality, simultaneously taking into account the current building’s structure, designing the addition to scale and blending it with the original building and surrounding neighbourhood.

All major remodelling and renovation projects can benefit from the design assistance of an architect with thoughtful discourse, evaluation and design, architects can meet and often surpass your expectations.

It’s the architect’s job to design the project to satisfy building codes and work with the structural engineer to meet specific structural demands. Striking that balance between aesthetics and structural requirements is part of the coordination process. Another advantage to using an architect is his ability to troubleshoot if and when problems arise during construction. An architect can assess the issue with the contractor to rework any structural versus design issues that might arise.

Flexibility in service: Architects can be hired for as little or as much of the project as you need. They can draw up a set of detailed plans from which a contractor can provide a quote and leave it at that, or they can be hired to follow the project right through to completion to make sure plans are being followed accurately.

Architects can deliver green design: Many architects are becoming LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED stands for Leadership in Environment and Energy Design). This means that their knowledge of green design methods, energy efficiency and more eco-friendly materials can deliver you a home that costs less to maintain, more energy efficient, with improved indoor air quality.