| A home designer can be a draftsman, an architect, or | | | | opportunity to make choices, to have a voice. Most |
| an interior designer. | | | | people need to see something on paper in order to |
| Be careful, though, of hiring one person to design the | | | | clarify what it is they do and do not want. By being |
| home and another to create the full blueprint set. In | | | | involved in the design process, you are saved costly |
| my experience, if there is no communication between | | | | changes during construction. |
| the two from the beginning, elements of the design | | | | - Will your designer be available during the |
| will be lost or changed because the firm drawing up | | | | construction process?With any project, questions will |
| the blueprint set is not aware of the importance of | | | | come up that are best dealt with between the |
| these elements. | | | | designer and the builder. |
| When interviewing potential home designers, there | | | | - Be sure you're getting a full set of blueprints |
| are a several very important things to look for. | | | | required for your area. Otherwise, you'll be paying |
| - You want to feel that the designer is able to really | | | | someone else to create the additional pages. These |
| listen to what your needs and wants are for your | | | | hidden costs take away from your spending budget |
| home. | | | | for things like lights, appliances, flooring, etc. |
| - Is the designer asking you lots of questions about | | | | - Site visits are crucial if the designer has a real |
| how you live your daily life? These are the insights to | | | | concern for helping you build the best home for your |
| understanding your needs, and how your house | | | | land. How disappointing to find out too late that |
| should flow. Whether you're planning on retiring in this | | | | you've just missed being able to capture the views |
| house, or selling it in a few years, the floor plan must | | | | from your home because there were no site visits. A |
| reflect those needs. | | | | good designer will make all the difference in bringing |
| - What is important to you should be important to | | | | together these and other elements to create a home |
| the designer. After all, it is your home, not theirs. If a | | | | for you. Make sure your thoughts, concerns and |
| designer says they don't like to show you anything | | | | ideas are heard. Otherwise, you'll be spending money |
| until "it's perfect" - be concerned! If you're not seeing | | | | during construction to fix what is lacking in the plans. |
| the progression of the design, you are losing your | | | | |