I know how to design a building

Most people think they can design their own home. However, while creating your dream home can be fun and interesting, architecture has many scientific elements and there can be dire consequences if not properly understood. It takes up to 10 years to become a registered architect. It is not surprising that many projects without the use of architects turn into money pits with disappointing conclusions.

I can copy another design

Many people try to seek a cheaper home design solution by using a budget builder or draftsman and bypassing the architect. More often than not this ends with an unexpected result and a disappointed client. They believe they can copy a building like you would a designer handbag or a piece of furniture. Architecture is vastly more complex, and we find from our experience that no two projects are ever the same. Every site, budget and client’s requirements are unique, making it difficult to have a one size fits all approach.

Architects are expensive

There is a great misconception that architects are expensive and not worth the cost. Designing a new home can sometimes be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a significant investment and the last thing you want is to end up with a cheap home that doesn’t suit you or your family’s needs. The costs of rectifying bad design can sometimes be so significant by the time the project is finished you could have just used an architect from the beginning.

If something goes wrong, I can fix it

Fixing a bad project is harder than building a good home from the beginning. It is time-consuming and full of compromises. In most cases the building blocks of the house are wrong from the beginning and without starting again clients will have to settle for cosmetic treatment. Unless you are prepared for timeline delays and significant budget changes, use an architect to create plans that are correct from the start.