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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.

Mr. & Mrs. Construction & RemodelingSave Photo
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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GF Kitchen and BathSave Photo
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.

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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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Megan Healy DesignSave Photo
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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SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture – MontanaSave Photo
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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3. Failing to Showcase the Whole Project

If you’re going to take the time to photograph your projects, make sure everything is covered. If only one part of a room is visible, for example, the project won’t be seen in its entirety.

Solution: Provide a comprehensive shoot list for your photographer to ensure they snap everything you want to showcase. Consider, too, whether you’d like your project to be featured editorially, as there are often some minimum requirements. On Houzz, for instance, an article about a full house or condo project requires, at minimum, images of the kitchen, living area, a bedroom and a bathroom. A room tour on Houzz requires multiple photos of the space.

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



Get Your Better Half Involved

For many couples there’s often one person who’s more interested in decorating than the other. The other person might say, “Do whatever you want.”

Do not do whatever you want. Because as soon as you start buying things, Mr. or Ms. No Opinion will suddenly have an opinion. So make him or her spend some time with you at the very beginning just looking at pictures of interiors. “Spend an hour or two on the computer and look at some things together and talk about them,” says interior designer Alana Homesley of Woodland Hills, California. As you review each room, ask your partner, “What do you like about it? What don’t you like about it?”

Alternatively, you can each collect images independently, then sit down and compare what you’ve chosen. This way your initial selections won’t be swayed by the other person. As you review your selections together, your differences and similarities will immediately become apparent.



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. .





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



Imagine walking into your newly built or remodeled home and seeing it exactly as you had imagined it at the start of construction: the windows are all in the right places, the flooring is the right color, and the kitchen cabinets are a perfect fit.

Now allow me to pinch you on the arm, because for most people, reality is often different from that idyllic scenario. You might see missing trim around the bedroom doors or wonder why that small change in the kitchen cost so much. Looking back, you might ask, “And why did we have to hire another subcontractor to finish the bathroom?”

Of course, there are things you just can’t plan for, but there’s plenty that you can. Costly changes and additional time-consuming work can be kept to a minimum if you fully understand what you are building before you start. By understanding the construction process, being part of the team and keeping a firm grip on the budget, your construction project can result in the home of your dreams.



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



Lagois Design Build RenovateSave Photo
1. What Is Our Schedule?

A schedule is more than just a start and end date. Having a schedule that outlines tasks and timing will give you a big-picture view of sequencing and deadlines for things such as tile and countertops. It will also give you a benchmark so that you know if things are slipping by a day or two.

With small projects such as kitchens and bathrooms, schedule is everything. The cabinet lead time determines the start date and sub-trades need to be scheduled in quick succession, for instance. Don’t start without a schedule that tells you what days and times workers will be on-site.

2. Who Will Be Here Every Day?

Depending on the size and structure of the company you hire, the answer could vary widely. Many remodelers use a lead carpenter system, where a staff member (sometimes called a superintendent) is responsible for day-to-day work on-site, and often swings a hammer as well. Ask your contractor direct questions about who will be responsible for opening and locking up, who will supervise subcontractors on-site and whom to call on a daily basis with any questions.

Find a general contractor near you on Houzz



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Space InterventionSave Photo
Prepare Clients for Construction

Start by setting a target date for construction, then give the homeowners clear instructions on how to prepare for their remodel. “Depending on the project, a homeowner may need to remove all items from kitchen or bathroom cabinets, or any other furniture that we’ll need to move to lay floor tile, for instance,” Palacio says.

It may be helpful to have a pre-construction meeting with the client, during which you discuss safety concerns, noise tolerance and limited access to living space. “We talk about where they are going to live and work during our planning process, and about how they will prepare to pack and move their belongings,” Bettinger says. Her team also sends clients a document with more details on how to prepare for construction.



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

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