Remnant Architecture

When you build a custom home, you will hire for many different roles. Since it may be your first time building your own home, you may not understand what everyone will be doing. When creating your new home (or renovating/adding on to your existing home), there will be two separate overall phases: design and construction.

Design Team

The architect will define the what you are building as the lead on the design team. Some of their consultants might include a structural engineer or interior designer. Typically in Tennessee an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical engineer is not necessary to design those specialties, as the specific sub-contractor will take care of the design in the field. Single-family residential construction is simpler than commercial in these areas. However, if you have a complex residential project, an MEP engineer could become a consultant on the design team.

The architect plans the sizes and location of all the spaces that you want built. They also think about how to integrate the aesthetics, structure, utilities, and weather resistance of your house together. A structural engineer will assist them in calculating the sizes of the structural members. Often, there are multiple ways for the structure of the building to be laid out so the architect will work with the structural engineer to develop the best solution to accomplish your goals for the design for such things as column placements and vaulted ceilings.

An interior designer can help you select the finishes, furniture, and cabinets of your home. Where an architect’s work overlaps with an interior designer is the built-in elements, so this is a place for them to coordinate. Sometimes the interior designer might want a wall or window moved for furniture placement so the architect can help decide if other elements would be affected. It is helpful for architects to look at how beds and TVs fit into bedrooms and living rooms since those will be part of the function of the room.

After the design phase is complete, the general contractor will start their work on the project. It is often helpful to have a contractor on board during the design phase as an advisor to help with budget and constructability. Some contractors are Design-Build, which means they do both the design and construction. Those types of contractors have a designer on their team whose fee will be included in the overall construction cost. If you hire an architect separately from a contractor, then the design fee is separate from the construction fee.

Construction Team

The general contractor or builder will define the how what you are building will be accomplished as the lead on the construction team. The general contractor will pull the permit and schedule all of the sub-contractors that will be necessary to build your house. Some general contractors will do some of the less specialized work themselves like framing or drywall. However, the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work are usually left to those specific sub-contractors.

As questions may arise during construction (especially for those surprises that come about in a renovation), it is helpful for the architect to remain available to answer those questions and visit the site to ensure everything is being done in accordance with the drawings depicting the design.

Everyone Has A Role

You as the owner also have a role. You will define the why of the project. There is a reason for the project so you need to let the architect know this so they can figure out the what and the contractor can figure out the how.