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Architect, contractor, interior designer, landscape designer — who’s the right home professional for your project? Whether you’re remodeling, building, decorating or landscaping, this guide is a good place to start to find out. Browse this list of 11 home professional types to learn more about what they do and which one might be the right fit for your project.

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1. Contractor

What they do: Manage all aspects of a project, including applying for building permits, hiring subcontractors, overseeing work and cleanup, and more. A general contractor is a key team member when undertaking any major home improvement project, remodel or new build.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re ready to implement an architect’s plans, want to build a simple addition or are planning a straightforward kitchen or bath update.

Learn more about hiring a contractor

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2. Kitchen Designer

What they do: These design specialists are experts at creating well-thought-out, functional kitchens and are always up on the latest in kitchen design trends.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re thinking of undertaking a major kitchen remodel, renovating an old house or creating your dream kitchen. Some kitchen designers also design for the bath, so if you’re looking to update both it can be worth seeking out a pro with this dual specialty.

Learn more about hiring a kitchen designer

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3. Design-Build Firm

What they do: Design-build firms provide design and construction services under the same umbrella. Whether led by an architect or a builder, all true design-build firms include both designers and builders at their core.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re thinking of remodeling, adding on or building from scratch and want the ease of working with a single firm from start to finish.

Learn more about hiring a design-build firm

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4. Interior Designer

What they do: Create beautiful, safe and functional interiors, from the floor plan and furniture layout to the paint on the walls. These pros can also design custom pieces to suit your space and style.

This is the right pro for you if: You have a single room (or a whole house) that you’d love to finally feel “finished,” you want to maximize the use of a small or hardworking space, or you need direction when it comes to style and design.

Learn more about hiring an interior designer

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5. Builder

What they do: Some builders work on custom homes with individual clients in collaboration with the homeowner’s architect, while others are also developers, purchasing land and creating communities of customizable homes.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re ready to implement an architect’s plans for a new home, remodel or addition or you’d like to customize a new build in an existing community development. You can also work with a builder to replace a dated garage, add an accessory dwelling unit (in-law unit) or even build an epic treehouse.

Learn more about hiring a builder

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See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software

6. Architect

What they do: Architects are highly trained, licensed professionals who design buildings and often oversee their construction.

This is the right pro for you if: You want to tackle a major remodeling project, design an addition that thoughtfully complements your home’s architectural style or bring your dream home to life. An architect-designed space can also fetch a higher sale price, so hiring an architect to take the reins on a remodel can be a smart move if you’re thinking of selling in the future.

Learn more about hiring an architect

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7. Color Consultant

What they do: These pros are experts at zeroing in on the right colors for your space and style. Some color consultants run a business exclusively devoted to helping you choose hues. Others are interior designers, decorators or architects who offer color consulting as part of a range of services.

This is the right pro for you if: You need to choose exterior paint colors, come up with a whole-house palette or just feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless array of color options. Can’t agree on paint colors with your partner or fellow homeowners in a shared building? A color consultant can help there too.

Learn more about hiring a color consultant

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8. Professional Organizer

What they do: Eliminate clutter, create filing systems, use space wisely and teach you processes you can use to stay on track.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re overwhelmed by clutter for any reason. Professional organizers can help with moves (organizing before a move, after a move or both); organizing after a big life transition; or creating order in a specific area like kids’ toys or business-related papers.

Learn more about hiring a professional organizer

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9. Closet Designer

What they do: Some closet designers specialize in customizing and installing wardrobe systems, while others offer space-planning services, custom cabinetry, built-ins and more.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re not really interested in decluttering — but you do want to be able to find your stuff. Closet designers can help create a tailor-made closet system for your wardrobe, kitchen, mudroom, playroom, garage or all of the above.

Learn more about hiring a closet designer

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10. Landscape Architect

What they do: Landscape architects are licensed and trained professionals who design and plan outdoor spaces that are made for living.

This is the right pro for you if: You’re thinking about designing your outdoor dream space, want to add value to your home with landscaping or need help working with challenging terrain (like a steeply sloped lot).

Learn more about hiring a landscape architect

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Wondering if it’s time to hire a color consultant? These pros are experts at zeroing in on the right colors for a client’s space and style. Some color consultants run businesses devoted to helping people choose hues; others are interior designers, decorators or architects who offer color consulting as part of a range of services.

If you need to choose exterior paint colors, come up with a whole-house palette or just feel overwhelmed, a color consultant might be the pro you need to help you come up with a beautiful color palette for your home. Here are 10 times it makes sense to invite a color consultant to guide you through the process of choosing colors.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



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Closet Designer or Professional Organizer?

Like professional organizers, closet designers are well versed in using space efficiently. But while a professional organizer is a bit like a life coach for your stuff, a closet designer’s work is more tightly focused on maximizing the use of space in your closets and cupboards. If you still need to do a fair amount of decluttering, you might want to tackle it on your own — or hire a professional organizer — before moving on to a closet designer. If you have already pared back and need a hand in getting what’s left beautifully organized, a closet designer can help.

1. You Want to Create Order in a Busy Mudroom

A well-organized mudroom or entry is the first line of defense against a cluttered home. A closet designer can install storage in this hardworking zone that’s tailored to your family’s needs, so every item that comes in your door has a clear place to land. If you already have a hall closet, this might look like installing a custom closet system to organize the interior. No hall closet? You don’t have to make do with an overstuffed coat tree — a closet designer can add storage to an entry that lacks it.

Find a closet designer on Houzz



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5. What Is Included in the Fees and Cost Estimate?

“Clients should ask for a clear explanation of fees, what’s included and what may incur additional costs,” de Linde says. “It’s also helpful to ask how the architect will support cost control during the project, for example, by coordinating with quantity surveyors or contractors.”

Rees suggests some specific questions to ask. “What costs are typically overlooked at the outset? What assumptions are built into your cost estimate? What allowances should we make for unknowns or changes? How are your fees structured?” he says. “Understanding whether fees are fixed, percentage-based or staged can prevent surprises later.”

Be clear about what you mean by your own budget expectations too. “Give your preferred budget, but be honest about how much it could potentially stretch. Please also share whether you understand that the fees might be included within that number, or whether in your mind this budget is only for the building works,” Schienke says.

“When the client … tells [me] their budget, this always needs to include basically every cost connected to the project, starting from fees and construction costs, allowances for any permissions and consent costs, [through to] kitchen, bathrooms, timber floors and so on.”

Ideally, you’ll work together to fine-tune your budget. “Budget is a complex subject, especially for home renovations and extensions [additions], because there are numerous unknowns associated with the brief and existing building. There’s no simple one-size-fits-all rate,” Rees says.

“In addition, clients have different needs, with the three main drivers being speed, quality and cost,” he says. “Talking through these with an architect, project manager or quantity surveyor will help you establish a budget.”



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



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1. Start With a Detailed Plan

Work with a professional designer or architect who can come up with a comprehensive plan to show your contractor so that he knows exactly what you have planned for your space. This is the most important item before you even approach a contractor. Walking your contractor through your space without a detailed plan in hand will allow the contractor to change his pricing as he goes, since the specifics were never discussed from the beginning.

Please bear in mind that permit drawings are not complete plans and contain limited information about the final design of your space. They provide information about the general layout and structure but have limited or no information pertaining to finishes, interior architecture, custom millwork, lighting and electrical features. This is the information that your contractor will need to give you accurate pricing before you start construction.

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This article was originally published by a
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Why Hire a Designer?

1. You’ll Save Time

You may not know how structural choices can impact the installation of the mechanical system. Or about options for new materials or technologies that might be cheaper, better or more appropriate than what you are familiar with. Figuring those things out takes time, and lots of it. A skilled professional will have this information at the ready for you.

Plus, with advances in technology, new building envelope techniques are coming on the market with increasing frequency, and new, tougher energy-efficiency requirements are transforming how walls are constructed and bringing an end to many traditional building practices. So it’s more crucial than ever to have someone on your team who understands how your building assembly meets current building code requirements.

These codes are typically complex texts that are difficult for those outside the building industry to understand. When designers submit drawings to the building authority, a plans examiner reviews them and issues a revision notice to address any variances from the current codes and construction standards.

A well-informed designer with up-to-date knowledge of building science can get building projects through with the minimum number of revisions. Since each revision takes time to be completed, having fewer revisions will allow you to get your permit faster. Low-quality or incomplete documents can delay your construction. Hiring a designer will help ensure that your project meets relevant codes so it can progress smoothly through your municipality’s process.

This could save you many sleepless nights and potentially weeks on your project trying to determine what is needed to satisfy the code requirements.

Find an architect near you



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www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Wondering if it’s time to hire a landscape contractor? These pros are experts at managing all aspects of an outdoor project, including hiring subcontractors and overseeing work, keeping the work site safe and applying for building permits. If you have plans from a landscape architect or designer and are ready to bring them to life in your garden, or if you need help executing your own vision for your outdoor space, a landscape contractor could be the right pro for your project. Here are 10 times it makes sense to work with a landscape contractor to help your outdoor spaces flourish.

(If you want to learn about other home pros, go to the bottom of this story for links to earlier stories in our “10 Times to Hire” series.)



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .





This article was originally published by a
www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Wondering if it’s time to hire a landscape architect? These are licensed and trained professionals who design and plan outdoor spaces that are made for living. If you’re thinking about designing your outdoor dream space, want to add value to your home with landscaping or need help working with challenging terrain, a landscape architect might be the pro you need in your corner. Here are 10 times it makes sense to work with a landscape architect to help your outdoor space flourish.

(If you want to learn about other home pros, go to the bottom of this story for links to other stories in our 10 Times to Hire series.)



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .



Wondering if it’s time to hire a homebuilder? Some builders work on custom homes with individual clients in collaboration with the homeowner’s architect, while others are also developers, purchasing land and creating communities of customizable homes. If you’re thinking of building a home or undertaking a large-scale remodel, a builder could be a key member of your team. Here are 10 times it makes sense to work with a homebuilder to bring your dream project to life.

(If you want to learn about other home pros, go to the bottom of this story for links to other stories in our 10 Times to Hire series.)



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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