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I am a small time custom remodeling contractor and also own a wood/cabinet shop. I need an architect on some jobs, others I talk clients out of them. It really depends on the situtation. I hear this kind of stuff all the time. Lets be realistic and find out how extensive the damage is to the house first, before we make suggestion on selling or rebuilding. We do lots of project like the poster describe expect the fire damaged part. Many of my projects are usually clients who want to gut the house and rebuild it from the inside out. Many I simple wouldn't do withour an architect due to their high dollar value. Also, a game we play, if there an architect involve, the client few better about spend serious money because they think they feel that they are getting something better, due to the big bucks they pay. Some of these are easily upwards of 500k remods.
You need to find a contractor that are design savy and are not afraid to do things outside of their daily routine and construction methods. Ask to look at their jobs and look at their finish work. Many great builders can't do finish with a damn. As for the architect, do youreally need one? I don't know. If it is the garage roof and a bunch of smoke damage, then you should not need one. Have the contract or draftsman draw a simple plan and submit it and have a go at it. The question is, again, how bad is the damage. Good luck, they are out there.
Jeff
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