Why use an architect beyond the design phase?

A growing number of homeowners are hiring an architect to design their custom home or remodel, and then letting the contractor take it from there. But cutting out the architect during construction can actually cost homeowners money, lead to missed opportunities or both.

Brian Sipes, founding principal of Sipes Architects in Minturn, is one of the architects who notices a nationwide trend among clients who think architectural services stop after the design process.

“It seems like more and more owners are under the impression that our services end with the design of the home, and the contractor continues on,” Sipes said, adding that while clients may think they’re saving a lot of money, typically, the construction phase only comprises about 15% of an architectural fee — slightly higher on renovations. “Design fees are an investment. If you’ve already committed to a custom design, cutting us out is not a good strategy for your investment.”

As it turns out, the construction phase brings nearly as many choices as the design phase. Keeping an architect involved makes the process smoother, faster and more cost-effective, he said.

That’s because even with a detailed plan, things change. Contractors often run into unexpected challenges or find that designated materials are no longer available or much more expensive than originally estimated. An experienced architect can offer creative solutions that might cut costs without sacrificing quality or the integrity of the design.

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“We can protect our client’s budget by adjusting the design with the cost of materials (or alterations) to construction,” he said. “Architects ensure the project is on budget, on time and true to the vision. We navigate the unexpected to give the homeowner peace of mind that their home is being realized the way it was imagined.”

In fact, architects act as an advocate for clients, ensuring their vision comes to full fruition. After all, they’re the ones who have spent hours upon hours listening to their client’s vision, tweaking designs based on feedback and conversation and designing the home with specific details to meet goals.

“As architects, we like to say that we are the keeper of the client’s dreams, so we work through often multiple iterations of designs to find something they love,” he said. “We spend countless hours and translate that into a set of documents.”

But, a document can’t fully explain every single aspect of a homeowner’s dreams, so contractors inevitably have questions.

“There are a lot of things we think about that are impossible to draw but are embodied in the design,” he said. “The more we’re talking with the contractor, the better project you’re going to get.”

Architects regularly visit construction sites, providing an extra layer of oversight, in addition to the expert eye of contractors, when it comes to building regulations, safety standards and quality. They not only ensure everything is being built according to plan, but also can spot unforeseen opportunities.

For example, Beth Levine, founding principal of Beth Levine Architect INC in Edwards, and designer Kelli Holtz discovered an opportunity in one remodel at Piños del Norte. As they walked through a stripped-down bathroom, they noticed that extra space in between studs would make a great niche to increase storage. They had already talked to the owners at length about the need for extra storage, so it became an obvious solution. Contractors wouldn’t have known about the homeowner’s desire for storage anywhere they could get it because they weren’t a part of that conversation; they would have simply focused on the job at hand, which involved hanging drywall, and covered up the opportunity.

Another example involved a remodel on Potato Patch Drive in Vail. Previous homeowners had turned a portion of the porch into a greenhouse. When the team opened up the kitchen floor, they discovered an old deck with a void beneath it. They presented plans to the Town of Vail to transform the void into a whole new, 100-square-foot interior bedroom with a window and received approval.

“At $2,000 per square foot (of real estate value in that neighborhood), we discovered $200,000 worth of value for the owner,” she said.

Sometimes, quality contractors complete projects the way they always have, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it’s often the most efficient. But Sipes warns homeowners against builders and contractors that might simply do things in the easiest and quickest way possible without taking time to understand why architects designated certain details on plans.

He likens the partnership between architect, contractor and homeowner to the three branches of government, established to prevent one branch from having too much power.

“There’s balance in having those three parties work together. Each brings a unique set of skills and vision. You cut one of those out, and you no longer have a stable foundation,” he said. “It’s very collaborative. We usually find cost-effective solutions that preserve the architect’s designs and the owner’s dreams. Most contractors we work with will tell you that they welcome that level of collaboration. We can help contractors with the unknowns.”

And in the end, it is the home owner who benefits.