“Do I need an architect?”

I hear this question several times a week—and it’s a good one, without a simple yes or no answer. The short answer is: it depends . . . and I’ll explain why.

First, let’s talk about new home construction:

If you’re a young couple buying your first house—one you don’t plan to live in for more than five years—I’ll become your Uncle Kevin and say, “Your best bet is an existing new home.” This is especially true if your budget is less than $200,000. Later, when you’re ready for your second or third home, one you know you’ll be staying in for a while, that’s the time to see me.

On the other hand, if you’re ready to build a home to live in for years and are working with a budget of $500,000 or more, then I’d say, “Absolutely, you need an architect.” You want to create a home that fits your family and matches your personal style, a home you absolutely love and can envision sharing later with your grandchildren.

But what about that gray area for new construction budgeted above $200,000 but under $500,000? Here there’s no right answer, but the factors to consider are how long you plan to stay in the home, how individual your family’s style and needs are, your knowledge and comfort level about construction, and how sensitive you are to good design.

What about home remodeling?

This is one case where I always advise using an architect, whether you’re embarking on a complete renovation or simply adding a room. It’s the best way to avoid a blundering mistake that ruins the lines and spirit of your home. This is especially true when you have a tight budget and can’t afford to spend the money twice. Your best protection is to have an architect make sure you get it right the first time.

So the only question to ask yourself is whether you want to involve the architect from start to finish—the full service approach—or if, instead, you opt for a design consult.

A design consult is a service where I come to your home and meet with you for three or four hours. For a flat fee of $800, I examine your house, talk with you about what you’d like to accomplish, and review pictures of what you like. I study the floor plan, the flow, the elevation, the plumbing and, especially, the roofline. There’s nothing worse than an addition that looks tacked on, like feet on a fish.

I sketch out ideas right there when I’m with you, showing you options and giving you a ballpark estimate of what each approach would cost. At the end, the sketches are yours to keep. If you like, I can give you names of several young architects who can help you refine the plans–but many times you’ll be able to go straight to a contractor.

I love these remodeling consults because they keep me in touch with the residential work that I started with 20 years ago. I find them incredibly interesting because I’m forced to design within the constraints of what’s already there. The houses with the tightest constraints are often the most fun: I love solving the puzzle, and I’ve done so on projects from estates to bungalows.

© 2012 Kevin Harris, Architect, LLC
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"Kevin Harris is an award-winning residential architect, international speaker, champion of culture-based design, an LSU and Harvard GSD graduate, father of 3, Eagle Scout, blue water sailor and Fellow of the AIA. For more information on Kevin or the firm go to www.kevinharrisarchitect.com."