To Get the Home You Want, Hire Your Architect First

When deciding to build a custom home, one of the first questions you’ll have to ask is: who do you hire first? Some would say you start with a builder, or alternatively, hire a firm that works on the combined design-build model. However, to get exactly the home you want, we believe it is important to hire your architect first.

With offices in California and Utah, and licensed in many of the western states, Sparano + Mooney Architecture has two decades of experience designing custom homes for clients throughout the American West. We understand the challenges of bringing the architect in after the builder has been hired. The entire process will be easier, from the conceptual design to the last day of the build, by hiring your architect first and having them help you through every step of the process. 

MAKE BUDGETING + BIDDING EASIER

The first reason we encourage our clients to start with an architect is that doing so makes bidding on your project easier. In order for a contractor to solicit the best possible bids, they need to have a detailed set of plans to work from. Without an architect in place, it becomes more difficult for contractors to bid and price a home since they don't know the specifics. The architect supplies these details in their construction documents, and in turn, makes the bidding process easier. 

BETTER COLLABORATION

If you’re worried about whether your contractor and architect have an established relationship, hiring your architect first puts contractors in a position of knowing the team with whom they will be working. If your architect and the eventual builder have worked together before, collaboration between them will be established and straightforward. Because of these pre-established relationships, the collaboration will be better for not only those behind the scenes, but also for you as a client.  Sparano + Mooney architects have a pool of amazing contractors who can deliver well-designed custom homes in a collaborative process.

STICK TO YOUR BUDGET

When hiring an architect first, staying on track to end within your budget becomes substantially easier. 

An architect is trained to understand building systems and structural design options. Architects know what they can design while remaining within the client's budget. They can hand builders a set of well developed plans that meet a client’s budget. Often when a builder makes changes during construction, this leads to cost overruns and the end design not being what you initially dreamed. Starting with your architect and a great set of drawings will help avoid these issues. 

MAXIMUM CUSTOMIZATION

One of the most important aspects is hiring an architect capable of giving you exactly what you want. Builders and their subcontractors focus on erecting the structure that will eventually be your home, but it is the architect who designs your dream home. It is the architect who listens to what you want and then finds a way to make your vision a reality. If you hire your builder first, you might find yourself constrained by a lack of design vision.

If you are looking to build your custom home in the Park City, Powder Mountain or other high altitude alpine area, we encourage you to start the process by hiring your architect first. Take your time and interview as many architects as necessary, and above all, be sure you are comfortable with the individual or firm you choose. If your choice is Sparano + Mooney, we would be honored to help you design and build the perfect mountain home for you and your family.