What To Do Before Contacting Your Architect.

One of the most beautiful moments of a person’s life is embracing the thought of constructing or reconstructing their own building. To the many people who look forward to achieving higher heights of their aspirations, this is like a dream come true. Whether it is a house for the family, an apartment to be leased to tenants, an office or a shopping centre, it is definitely wise to schedule a meeting with the best builders to ensure your construction is of the best standard. Before taking that bold step to contact and book an appointment with your architect, here are a few essential activities to check off your list if you demand the best services to be rendered.

1. Know what you are getting yourself involved with.

It is every person’s desire to own a building of their own, whether commercial or residential. Often, taking full responsiblity and coming to terms with the realities of construction is not fully deliberated upon. You must first understand that this is a project you want to embark on to the end and you must be ready to take full responsibility of the outcome of the work of the architect. Be sure of the type of building you would love to own and be ready to pay the price of making your dream a reality. After your first meeting with your architect, do not hesitate to either pull out or carry on with the project.

2. Request a credential review.

Every architect usually has in their possession,  the necessary documents and accreditations which makes them worthy to be called architects. A qualified architect must be properly trained and registered with the right associations such us the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) in order to be in practice. It is certainly not considered to be rude and overdemanding of you to request a review of the credentials of your architect as it is your right to know the level of professionalism of your builder. Catalogues and various images of their work can also be provided in order to clear all possible doubts you may have.

3. Ensure the compatibility of yourself and the architect.

in the making of a successful building, your relationship with your architect matters. You need to ensure that you are working with an arcrhitect who fully understands and buys into the vision of how you wish to go about your construction. You may wish to take things slowly and complete your building in a few years or would be in a rush to move into your building after a few months. Either ways, your architect should be able to understand your terms and help out with your demands and vice versa.

4. Be fully prepared.

Buildings are worth your time and concentration and this requires that you make due preparations before meeting your architect. Know what you want and gather the necessary information and knowledge on the style of the building you desire. Pictures from internet sites such as Pinterest, amatuer sketchings or detailed explanations of your building must be ready before you pay your architect a visit. Some architects are fine with offering council if you are not too ceratain but it is best you have an outline of what you want beforehand.

5. Embrace money talks.

Construction needs money and so does your architect. Do not be reserved on money issues concerning the building. Try to be open and transparent as possible and ensure your budget is known by the architect. It is not a bad idea to know how much it costs, averagely, to construct a building before meeting the architect as this helps you form a reasonable budget to work with. You can make various enquiries from family and friends who have treaded before on the path you are on to make you money conscious. Do well to make a few allowances to accomodate some additions to your budget since fees, most often from your architect, may be included.

6. Be open to changes

Before meeting an architect, you must be flexible and open to new changes which may occur. Establish a mindset which demands you do not necessarily have to settle for the first architect you meet or a constant duration for the completion of your project. You should be able to manage your expectations yet look for the best of your interests. Go for what suits you and if your expectations are not met by your architect after the first meeting, feel free to make changes or reconsider your decision to construct. This places you in a safe position where you are in no way pressured to make hasty decisions which will have adverse effects.

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