Architect Vs. Home Designer

As you think about designing your next dream home, you might be curious to understand how home designs are drawn and created. You’ve likely seen beautiful homes online and want to know more about the types of individuals that can create exquisite home designs. Do you need an architect? What about a home designer? Is there really a difference between the two?

As with most things in life, the differences lie in the details. Architects are extremely talented individuals. While they may occasionally design houses for people, their focus is typically commercial in nature, focusing on large structures such as schools or hospitals. Working with an architect is rarely cost-effective unless you're building something like a large skyscraper.

A home designer has a much more heightened awareness of the nuances of designing a home and understands the living patterns and wishes of a homeowner. A home designer works with clients to give them the exact look they want in their home, down to the very last detail. From designing a front walkway that represents the first presentation of a home to understanding the spatial value of residential design, a home designer can bring a space to life for those that will be living and thriving in that space daily.

In addition to a greater understanding of residential design detail, home designer fees are typically lower than working with an architect. It’s important, however, to make sure that the home designer you choose has the right qualifications. Be sure to take time to meet with your home designer before signing any paperwork and look for an AIBD (American Institute of Building Design) certified home designer to ensure that he or she operates under the highest integrity and professional standards.

Before hiring a home designer, keep the following questions in mind that will help make the process easier:

• Identify your budget. Working with a home designer AND builder upfront can save costs in the long run. A good designer may not know the details about current lumber prices or market fluctuations, but they are aware that builders do which allows them to provide you an estimate for your home so there's less risk of future unforeseen expenses.
• Know your direction. Work with a home designer that respects YOUR vision for the future of where you'll call "home." A good designer understands that the best design is one that reflects the vision of the homeowner, not the designer.
• Understand the relationships. The key to making sure your new home is everything you imagined it would be starts with having a great design and an equally impressive build process and working relationship.

At Summit Ridge, we understand that a home is a reflection of the homeowner and it’s important to design a space that brings out the best in them. We engage with clients through a full interview process to review all the elements that will play a critical role in a homeowner's ultimate happiness with the home. We talk with clients about their families and where they gather in the house. We look at how the patterns differ on the weekdays versus the weekends and create a living structure that works with the family.