FAQS for Architects and Builders

Stone Veneer on exterior wall of a house

If you’ve ever built a new home, you know first-hand how exciting and stressful it can be. Home-building is a step-by-step, collaborative process that relies on the skills and talents of many people. From initial planning, to final construction, important decisions need to be made, approved, then properly executed.

A big decision clients have early on is whether or not they need an architect. Some clients feel more confident working with a skilled and licensed architectural firm, while others trust the knowledge and expertise of their builder.

Casa di Sassi has been in the building products industry for a long time. We have worked with stone distributors, suppliers, builders, contractors, architects and their clients. When it comes to new home construction, we’ve heard the same types of questions coming from a wide range of clients.

Keep reading to discover frequently asked questions and concerns of clients who are building a new home.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE BUILDS FUTURE SUCCESS

When searching for the right architect or builder, countless factors contribute to the final decision. Some attributes influence that decision more than others. For example, it’s important to choose an architect or builder that has plenty of experience and a proven success rate with past clients.

DO THEY HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE BUILDING HOMES SIMILAR TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT?

Residential architects and builders often specialize in the design and construction of homes within a particular style range. Clients need to research wisely and find people who are skilled at building the type of home they are proposing. Once potential candidates are identified, proactive clients will visit websites to preview past work and accomplishments. If you’re an architect or builder, be prepared to share photos, insights and ideas from a similar home construction job at the initial client meeting.

 
 

DO THEY HAVE PROOF OF LICENSURE AND INSURANCE?

We can guarantee most clients will want their architect and builder to provide proof of licensure and insurance. Clients gain peace-of-mind knowing their team has home building insurance, liability insurance and workers’ compensation. This also helps avoid any potential project delays in case a claim does get filed during the construction period.

 
 

WHAT IS THEIR DESIGN PROCESS?

An architect’s design aesthetic focuses on the inspiration that drives his or her creativity. Design process is totally different. It’s how an architect conducts daily business and keeps track of projects and timelines. Clients will want to know upfront how many meetings and consultations to expect. Most architects have an established project path with the following phases:

  1. Initial consultation
  2. Preliminary design
  3. Design development
  4. Document preparation
  5. Bidding and negotiation
  6. Construction administration
 
 

ARCHITECTURAL FEES

If you’re new to working with an architect, make sure you understand all the costs and fees included in the contract before signing. Ask your architect if you are responsible for fees not specified in the contract. As a general rule, architectural fees can vary widely. And payment expectations can be somewhat confusing, so don’t hesitate to ask questions before any design and construction work starts.

FEE STRUCTURE

A good time to ask your architect about fee structure is during the initial interview. Before you sign any sort of contract, you should have a solid understanding of what the fees are, what they’re based on, and how often you need to make payments. Most architects require an initial down payment. Some have a fixed hourly rate, others charge by the square foot, and a few prefer to get paid after milestones are met.

Architects and builders need regularly scheduled payments to help fund your home’s construction. The fee structure should be clearly stated in the contract. If you are still unsure when to submit payments, talk to your architect as soon as possible to avoid any conflicts that could interfere with the construction schedule.

 
 

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE PRICE

The cost of building a new home varies depending on its location, site, infrastructure design, zoning requirements and other local factors. When it comes to an architect’s fees, they also vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, the local economy, and the architect’s reputation and level of experience. Expect to pay a few thousand dollars in total fees after your home is completed.

Before signing a contract with any architect, talk to several in your area to determine a fair cost for designing and building your proposed house. And remember that the least expensive quote is not necessarily the best one for the project you’re envisioning.

 
 

PROJECT TIMELINE

Typical construction time for a new single-family home ranges anywhere from 8 to 12 months. Depending on how many issues or obstacles there are during the construction phase, some projects may take up to 2 years. When your architect or builder shows you the initial project timeline, understand upfront that there may be unexpected delays along the way that affect the completion date. Weather, permit and zoning problems, and supply chain issues are common factors that prolong building timelines.

Casa di Sassi

Building a new home is a big deal. More people than you realize are involved in every phase of its design and construction. Casa di Sassi has been a reputable stone manufacturer for many years. Along the way, we’ve developed valuable partnerships with our distributors, contractors, builders and homeowners. Happy customers keep coming back because they love our stone and they appreciate how we treat them like family. If you are planning to build a new home, we can supply all the stone veneer you need for exterior and interior design projects. Contact us today.

As we look to the future, we continually seek to innovate and grow. From pushing the limits on our creativity to developing new stone profile designs – to increasing the efficiency of our manufacturing processes – our team is dedicated to being a valuable stone veneer partner.

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