Many prospective homeowners remain uncertain as to how architecture can influence and benefit a residential design project. Creating a custom home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a journey that starts with an idea and ends with a well-designed and thoughtful project. But getting there takes time, and a lot of small, but meaningful decisions.  The process of creating a custom home may vary slightly depending on the project type, delivery method, and the design professional you work with.

If you choose to work with a residential architectural for your custom home you’ll most likely engage an architect for either full architectural services or basic permit drawings depending on your needs and budget. This article will help you know the architectural design service near you, what is architectural design, What should architectural plans include, How much should Architectural drawings cost, etc.

What Is Architectural Design?

Architectural design is a concept that focuses on components or elements of a structure. An architect is generally the one in charge of architectural design. They work with space and elements to create a coherent and functional structure. It is compulsory for the owner to have an architecture design before starting their construction.

What Are The Architectural Design Services?

So what are full architectural services? Well, full architectural Services cover all aspects of the design and construction process from start to finish. When you work with an architect throughout the entire process, she is able to guide you along the way and make sure the project runs smoothly.

She’s your advocate – helping you make the best decisions and speaking to other building professionals on your behalf. And she’s your eyes and ears during construction ensuring your project (when built) will meet the design intent of the drawings and will be built according to industry standards and local codes. Full architectural design services is a comprehensive set of services that includes some variation of the following six-part project delivery process:

1. Pre-Design
2. Schematic / Concept Design
3. Design Development
4. Construction Documents
5. Bidding / Negotiation
6. Construction Observation

# What Things You Should Consider Before Making An Architectural Design?

If you haven’t cast your eyes on architectural drawings before, you may be left confused as you attempt to decipher each document, the patterns, and symbols.

1. Understand The Difference Between Each Drawing

Depending on the scale of the job, you’re likely to receive a package of architectural drawings. Here is what you’ll typically receive from your architecture:

• A Site Plan – included in a site plan are items such as existing conditions of the site, the boundaries, and building heights.
• A Floor Plan – this will outline the locations and dimensions of rooms, structures, and built-in items such as cabinetry.
• Elevations – you’ll see elevations and heights of your building’s exterior from all sides. External materials, windows, doors, and services will also be documented.
• Internal Elevations – details will be revealed on internal elevations including materials and dimensions of cabinetry and fitting details.
• Sections – sections will show the heights of the building and its structure including beams, insulation, and footings.
• Construction Details – these drawings are specifically designed to help the builder understand how details are to be built.
• Reflected ceiling plans – these will show ceiling details and electrical items such as the location of the lights.
• Electrical plans – you’ll see where lights, switches, and power outlets are located on these plans.
• Door and Window Schedule – these will show the dimension of the door/window and the opening size.

2. Analyze The Legend

Before you start reading the plans, it’s important to check the drawing legend. While architecture tends to communicate in the same language, there may be some differences in symbols or line design.

3. Know What Is New And Old Know

Knowing what is staying and what is being built will give you a better understanding of how space is changing. Existing walls are typically displayed as a solid black line or may have a grey hatch pattern. New work usually appears as two single lines that have no fill.

4. Understand The Drawings Relate To Each Other

You may have noticed a round circle containing numbers and letters next to a drawing title or within the plan itself, for example, 05-A201. This is referencing another drawing in your architectural documentation. In this case, you’ll find details relating to that element at drawing 5 on page A201.

5. Find Out How Each Material Is Represented

Materials are referenced as hatch patterns on your drawing. You may see on your internal elevation a tiling layout or on the plan the format of the paving. Other materials that are commonly shown on architectural drawings are cladding, roof finishes, and structural walling type. Your legend may show which hatch is which or you may need to get clarification from your architecture.

How Much Should Architectural Drawings Cost?

Now for the cost, it is a common question raised in everyone’s mind. Actually, architectural costs can vary greatly, depending on the size of your project, what you want the architect to do, and the individual architectural fee structure. An architect may charge by the hour, by the square foot, or by a percentage of the total cost of the project. These rates can vary by location, but at a minimum, you’ll need to spend $800 to $1,000 to hire an architect to review and approve blueprints and other construction documents if you need a licensed architectural approval.

architectural usually charge $80 to $150 per hour if you hire them on an hourly basis. If you hire a principal, who typically runs an architectural firm, expect to pay closer to $150 per hour. If you hire a junior architect, prices typically hover around $80 per hour.

architecture can charge anywhere from $1.25 to $5 per square foot. Some may charge as much as $10 per square foot, depending on the nature of the project. You could spend $1,200 to $5,000 for every 1,000 square feet of your project.

When you first look at architectural plans, they can appear to be confusing and written in another language. However, once you navigate through one set of drawings you’ll realize reading plans isn’t all that difficult. But if in doubt, ask your architecture to explain them to you. They are there to help make the process of building or renovating a much more pleasurable one. Thus it is important for you to take the help of the architectural design services near you. Hope this article helped you.

BEST OF LUCK!!!