Many home buyers believe that designing the home of their dreams is something they can do on their own – by designing themselves, or, even worse, by just buying an old house and “fixing it up”.
We architects, on the other hand, know that the process is far more difficult than that – but also, so worth it in the end. Because designing a new home from scratch isn’t just more cost and energy efficient, but the only way to truly get the house of your dreams.
So why should potential clients forego buying an old home and trust you to design their new home? For these 5 undeniable reasons (make sure to always have them at hand)
How to Get Your Dream Home
1. An Architect Knows His Materials
When you move into a used home, you will find yourself spending every weekend of the first year fixing up, tearing down, and replacing. Home Depot may become more familiar than your actual home! By working with an architect, he/she will be able to help you choose not only which materials are better suited to your taste, but also are the most durable in the long run (and under warranty!). Which means you can wave Home Depot good-bye.
2. An Architect Knows Energy-Efficiency
Designing an energy-efficient house is not so easy as choosing between halogenic or compact fluorescent light bulbs. It involves knowledge of everything from which kind of glass insulates best to which kind of heating system (solar, passive, geothermal, etc.) heats/cools best. And, what’s more, there is no one solution to the energy-efficient home: every choice must correspond to your specific environment. With so many factors to consider, you’ll want an expert on your side to help you make these decisions, which will – of course – save you time and money in the long run.
3. An Architect Will Design The Home You Always Wanted
No matter how close an existing house can get to being the house of your dreams, it will never be what you had initially imagined. The only way to make your vision reality, is to talk to your architect about all the little things that make, for you, the perfect house perfect. Always dreamed of a double-sided chimney? Or a large walk-in closet? Have a strange love of mosaics? An architect will know exactly how to incorporate these personal touches into the bigger plan.
4. An Architect Will Design The Home You Didn’t Know You Wanted
With their years of design experience, architects will be able to suggest to you things even you never even dreamed of. If you’re a party-giver, a kitchen-living room that’s a dream to cook and host in; if you’re a parent, extra storage hidden in nooks and crannies you never considered; if you’re reaching your Golden Years, a lay-out that will be able to access even with restricted mobility; if you’re a nature lover, a building orientation that emphasizes and frames your views. You may not know it yet, but an architect will suggest things you’ll wonder how you ever lived without!
5. An Architect Can Save You Time & Money & Give You the House of Your Dreams
A new home is a huge investment, so why wouldn’t you make it the smartest one you’ve ever made? For all the reasons cited above, the bottom line is that an Architect will help you have the house of your dreams – and, in the long run, save you time and money.
For more help buying a new home, check out the resources at Start Fresh, Buy New