Architectural Articles
Adding On, Up, or Out: The Architect's Role
No matter what you call it - remodel, renovate, restore, rehabilitate, upgrade, customize - even demolish - the job is not for the faint hearted.
In Monterey County where affordable, easy-to-build sites are hard to find, more and more people are altering their present buildings rather than building a new one from scratch. Even renovations, however, can be devastatingly expensive, surprisingly time consuming and incredibly frustrating. Horror stories abound. (Rent the movie "Money Pit.")
So before you rip out walls, expand rooms, or raise the ceiling, get the assistance of an architect who can help you plan ahead and reconcile your vision with your pocketbook. He or she can also answer nuts-and-bolts concerns such as whether your additions will improve the overall circulation through the home or if there will be heat gain, loss or glare through your new windows.
In setting out your plan, the architect can:
- Sketch and model alternative schemes for discussion;
- Recommend economical product and material suppliers for plumbing, cabinetry,
and interior finishes;
- Provide preliminary cost estimates;
- Refer you to trustworthy contractors, craftsmen and artists;
- Guide you through the complex permit process with various government
agencies, and last but hardly least;
- Provide structural analysis so you can ride out the next earthquake
with less anxiety.
While there's a lot to be said for gaining skills and personal satisfaction in doing your own home repairs, when it comes to the big picture, its often wise to collaborate with an architect. He or she is the one professional who can translate your needs and desires into a fully functional space of beauty.
Published in The Home Edition, Carmel Publishing Co.
