House Design

[island911]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

We are wanting to "redo" our existing house, (or so my WIFE wants to)...Anyway a question. Who do you consult with on something like this to see if your vision is possible? I don't think it would be an interior design person. Looking at adding walls, enclosing parking area, putting on a porch that wraps around the house, re configuring the master bath, vaulting a ceiling and adding another real fireplace. I think a builder would be able to do that but when describing what you want he's think how much money he can make versus "is this possible"? ANy advice is much appreciated

The most important thing is in specifying what it is you want.

A couple decades ago my sister (not an architect) built a detailed scale model of what she wanted. That worked out great for her. Of course, like John said, there's Sketch-up and such too.

OTOH, if you are not detail oriented, a good architect can take broad requirements/wants and deliver sound solutions.

[Rtrorkt]

Originally Posted by island911

LOL. Are you thinking of anyone we know? ^^

But seriously, they don't always catch major design flaws. My neighbor had an addition where the roof-line was offset by a foot or so. The Architect squeezed more money out of him to come up with a fix. ...of the Architect's mistake.

That's ridiculous. If it was a design issue, the contractor should never have built it. Sounds like the builder did not follow the plans and did not propose a fix. Contractor should have paid for the solution.

Doing a major renovation without professional advice is like performing surgery on yourself. There are rules as to how to get things done, interview the design firms to see the best fit (this is a partnership), don't hire the firm that will not listen. Same with a builder. Don't hire friends, neighbors or relatives. Check references, see completed work. Do your homework.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

That's ridiculous. If it was a design issue, the contractor should never have built it. Sounds like the builder did not follow the plans and did not propose a fix. Contractor should have paid for the solution........

I agree but remember we are getting third hand information here.

More than once I've drawn something correctly and somewhere down the line there is a screw up, that's when the builder needs to call the architect and say; you know those 12" heel height trusses you called out came in at 3-1/2" heel height and now nothing lines up.

In which case it's the owner's call if they want to suffer a delay, and the builder's call if he wants to run into a hard nosed inspector lecturing him about freezing eaves in Michigan with squished down insulation.

Me?

I'm the surprised one, and I don't like surprises.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

at the level of remodeling proposed by the OP, is it even possible to do this without sealed architect's drawings? I know in my neck the woods, you'll need them to get a permit for that kind of work.

Excellent point.

Also, getting a permit depends on much more than the drawings.

We are in the early stages of building a separate garden house (1500 sq ft) and have started the permit work well in advance of the actual design. Set backs, critical area issues, septic, etc. will drive the eventual build.

So we used Sketchup to work the art of the possible with the permit folks before we settle on the final design.

Sounds goofy, but there is no sense getting particular until we know it will be allowed.