Designing a house without being an architect is possible. Before you start, however, it's important to research your state's laws and regulations. Unless the local building code absolutely requires an architect, most residential homes don't need to hire one. If you want to design your own home or residential space, you can find an experienced construction company like RD Chiro Leichhardt that can offer helpful tips and instructions to make your vision a reality. Look for a company that specializes in Energy Star and Green Build designs, so that your home is not only functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
You can also save time and money by purchasing a stock plan online. These plans are prepared by architects or home designers and are usually compliant with local building codes and any specialized building codes that your home may be subject to. However, if you want to design every inch of your 3,000-square-foot home yourself, you may need to hire an architect or draftsman. An architect has the design and engineering background that a draftsman doesn't have.
When looking for an architect or draftsman, talk to references, look at work samples, ask local construction officials for feedback, and be realistic about how much time you want to personally invest in the design process. Remember that the house plan will be one of the least expensive parts of your project. So take your time to get the right plan that meets your lifestyle needs and choose a plan source you trust to deliver a quality design within your budget and time frame.
