How to Work with a Residential Architect

Residential architects are professionals and have to stay up to snuff on the local building codes. Like lawyers, they like to bill by the hour, so the remodeling project can get out of control financially. Follow these steps to avoid this situation.

* Become a Remodeling Guru. There are plenty of great remodeling shows on TV just now. Watch them. Learn what's involved in a do-over. Which special trades need to be involved? Electricians? Plumbers? Get an idea of which features are top priority. Laminate floors or natural stone? Granite counter tops or a cozy breakfast nook?
* Nail Down the Budget. This is the one area where most homeowners fall down. Building materials are expensive, especially if the idea is to follow green building practices. Labor is also expensive. Neither expense should be skimped on, but priorities must be established, noted, and stuck to.
* Shop Around for the Right Architect. Architects don't just draw blueprints, they are also conceptual artists. As such, they each have their individual styles. Make sure the architect's personal style agrees with the concept being considered. Does the architect embrace green building concepts? Does he or she think eclectically? Is the neighborhood homeowner association going to be an issue?
* Be a Good Communicator. No architect is a mind reader. Before meeting with her, have a clear concept of the work to be done. Be ready to change plans to meet local building codes and reality constraints, but be clear about the basic concept. Wasted time is wasted money.
* Be Sure the Architect and General Contractor can Work Together. In the best possible scenario, the blueprint guy and the building contractor already have a working relationship. Ask the architect for references, but be sure to talk to three or four to find one you have a good gut feeling for as well as an impressive portfolio.
* Know Which Specific Services the Architect will Provide. Not all remodels require a full-service treatment. Again, billable hours are king. Some areas will need more focus than others.
* Be Prepared to Collaborate with the Architect. As stated above, architects are artists in their own rights. With any experience, they know what works with what, structurally as well as style-wise. Provide the idea of what's expected but be prepared to modify it. That expertise is one of the things being paid for.
* Don't Have Piecemeal Communication. Don't waste time bantering. Take the architect's recommendations as a package, digest them, and develop a response. This approach works much better than playing tennis with each detail one at a time.
* Use Your Digital Camera as the Remodeling Project Progresses. Take digital pictures and email them to the architectural firm rather than having them visit the job site every day. This makes life easier on everybody. The work rhythm isn't interrupted as often, everything is documented, and the fundamental idea is enforced: billable hours are reduced.