Home Addition

[Anonymous]

So here’s the question----we are hoping to "bump out" the back of our house (live in MD). Is it better to go with a build/design group or get plans drawn up by an architect and then use a contractor? I have no idea of costs of it all and just not sure if one route is better than the other. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I can give you my experience.

We recently planned a bump out to the back of our house. We chose to go with an architect because we thought there could be inherent conflicts of interest in the design/build route (specifying cheaper grade material, or specifying an easier way to do things rather than better). We liked the idea of the architect working for us rather than the for the builder.

HOWEVER - we gave our architect a budget last summer when we started to do the project. He drew up lots of drawings, we worked them, he redrew, etc. We spent ALOT of money on this. Then we brought in a contractor and found out the drawings are WAAAAAY over our budget. And we brought the contractor in before the prints were completey finished; relatively early in the process.

Our architect is not new to the area or the field, and he was as surprised as we were by the costs (which are rising astronomically, along with everything but the housing market). However, the end result is that we spent a ton on blueprints that will never be built.

We have neighbors who recently went with a design/build firm. In the end, they also decided that the addition was over budget, but they probably found out sooner than we did because the designer and builder work more closely. I don't know what they spent on fees before they got to the stop-work point.

Just my story. There are pros and cons to each.

[Anonymous]

Agree fully with pp. Architects charge some high fees, that can not always be justified. They act surprised at costs, when they should know. That's what you're paying for.
Unless it is a complicated bump, try design/build. You should know quality, and use your judgment.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

my brother is a builder and the two previous PPs actually exactly mimic our dinner table conversations regarding his frustration at being "set up" to be the downer to the home owner because architects design your dream, but do not know the cost of the raw goods...SO they incorporate what you want into your design...the builder's job is to execute, but they know the coist of raw goods...

best of luck!

[Anonymous]

It depends on your budget, how complicated the project is, and how much leg work you want and can do. We did a bump out and went with an architect and bid out the work. Our bump out was pretty basic but we really needed the architect to give us some ideas on the kitchen design (which did make it easier to compare prices when we went shopping for cabinets), some design features, and the permit process. We sort of acted as the GC for the kitchen - shopping for the appliances, cabinets, finding someone to do the flooring, and countertops. It was a lot of work but I think we ended up with more expensive finishes then we could have afforded with a design/build firm. We had a finite amount of money to spend so while a design/build would have been nice, we would have spent the same or more and had to compromise on things. For our budget (under 100K for the bump out including the pro-style appliances, cherry cabinets and granite and an entry way), I don't think a design/build would have come up with some amazing design for the same price. Also, it was the height of the remodel craze so even getting someone to return your call and take on your project was tough. I think our next project - if we go up for an addition - we will look at design/build. We really want it to integrate well with the house and neighborhood and I don't know that we have the time to pull together contractors and shop for bargains.