Most of us have ideas that we want to implement in our next home improvement project. We need new flooring, new kitchen cabinets, etc., this part we all know. But for those who are new to home renovation projects, we have some simple advice that will pay off in spades no matter what the job entails. Hire a design firm or an architect!
Why hire home design/architecture services?
We all know what improvements are necessary but until the ideas are written down on paper and discussed/analyzed carefully, we cannot ask others to produce the end product that we envision easily. This is what home design/architecture is all about. How could the space be improved without drastic structural changes? What colours/trim combinations/new windows make sense for the space? All of these questions need to be thought out.
In the end, our experience in home renovating tells us that any money spent on design/architecture, whether it be a simple job asking for colour combination choices or a more complex job requiring sketches (and ultimately drawings) to fully demonstrate the potential of a given space or new construction project; all necessitate some design/architecture costs.
As a rule of thumb, budget 10% of your budget for design/architecture. This money will save both your own peace of mind and your contractor’s sanity down the road. Imagine starting a project with no plans, simply hoping to make decisions on the fly, then being frustrated by the delays because materials haven’t been ordered or are not available. We have seen it too often where home owners are not happy for these reasons, and many times these problems could be avoided easily by creating a detailed project materials list, scope of work and construction schedule.
Who should I hire?
We all have friends/family and neighbours who have renovated in the past, and we encourage you to ask them for advice and for contact names of the best home improvement designers and architects. After all, experience means everything. But don’t be afraid to speak to a number of people in order to find the best fit for you. Another option is to phone your local construction association for advice, or simply post your design service request on this website and wait for designers to come to you. All subscribed contractors (including designers and engineers) must provide a detailed profile page for all to review.
bidmyreno.com is Canada's fastest-growing home renovation resource!
Check out local architects and designers located everywhere across Canada.
Click here to find architects and designers in your city to renovate your kitchen!