HighCraft Builders is proud to welcome our newest project manager, Steve Werning. Steve has owned Werning Construction for years and we have recently joined forces. Steve is an active outdoorsman and lives in Fort Collins with his wife Micki and two daughters ages 8 and 10.

Remodeling
Success 101

Q: When is an architect my best option for a remodeling project?

A: Architects or architectural firms are, for the most part, set up to offer comprehensive design services for large or complex building projects. Relatively few architects (and even fewer certified by the American Institute of Architects, or AIA) specialize in single-family homes, much less remodeling projects. Those that focus on residential work, typically offer a high level of skill that is most appropriate for remodeling jobs that involve a variety of structural and mechanical systems requiring engineering.

So, you want to remodel your home. You know the overall design and floor plan of your house as it now exists.You have some idea of the ideal living environment that you would like to have.

The question is, how do you get from here to there?

We've all seen remodeling jobs that look like mistakes. Every remodeling job -- whether it's an updated kitchen, a master suite or a major addition -- deserves the skilled eye of a design professional to enhance your ideas and smoothly integrate the new with the old.

You have options when it comes to 'design'. You could engage an architect or residential design professional, who are specially trained to handle large, complex jobs. An independent architect or designer, however, might lack a realistic grasp of construction costs -- especially for remodeling -- and create something beyond your budget. And, you still have to hire a contractor to build it.

At the other end of the spectrum, a remodeling contractor might offer himself as a design expert, based on several years of experience and perhaps some architectural background. While such a remodeler can do the construction work and is more likely than an architect to have a good handle on costs, he might lack the skills to help you clarify your ideas, solve complicated design problems, match or complement architectural styles, or add extra value beyond the basics.

Between these two extremes is the design-build firm. As the name implies, such firms specialize in home remodeling, providing both architectural and construction skills under the same roof as a more efficient and effective way to create great design within a budget.

Although design-build companies vary, most operate separate yet coordinated design and construction divisions. Most often, these divisions work as a team, shepherding a remodeling project from initial design work through completion of construction. They share ideas, evaluate and consider realistic costs, and create a seamless process for the homeowner.

By working with a design-build firm, you can hire two companies for the price of one, benefiting from professional skills and experience in both realms. Most often, a project manager will guide you through the process and be your single or primary point of contact throughout the job. Along the way, you'll meet with in-house design professionals, product selection specialists, a construction supervisor, and key members of the building team -- all of whom work together to ensure that what's drawn in the plans can be built on the ground without sacrificing design quality or outstripping the budget.

The integration of work within a design-build firm makes it an attractive option for remodeling projects of any size and scope. The design-build firm is typically more affordable than hiring separate design and construction companies. Beyond considerations of cost, the choice of a design-build firm often results in a more satisfying experience by offering a seamless, budget-conscious process while ensuring professional, value-added design.

Warm regards,

info@highcraft.net
www.highcraft.net

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