Who Comes First: the Designer, the Architect, or the Builder?
We’ve seen a huge surge in the number of clients who are tackling renovation projects and building homes. In this post we’re sharing our tips for navigating such an important investment, starting with who to hire first: the interior designer, the architect, or the builder.
Project: Lake Geneva Blue & White | Service: Full Service Whole House New Build Design & Furnishing Design
At North Shore Nest, we have relationships with wonderful builders throughout Wisconsin and Illinois and have a team of licensed and insured trades we work with when our projects don’t need a General Contractor. We are fortunate to have a team of incredibly talented people who help us bring our designs to life. Think window treatment workrooms, upholsterers, custom furniture makers, wallpaper hangers, painters, carpenters, handymen. There is literally nothing we can’t create for our clients.
When we collaborate with builders on larger renovations and new builds we work to provide a seamless experience for our clients so they can confidently make the right choices every step of the way. We do this through consulting services and blueprint reviews, and through our full-service design where we handle the finish selections, project management, and contractor collaboration.
Before we dive into our recommendation for the order in which to do things, we do suggest speaking with a professional who can give specific advice based on the size and scope of your project.
That being said, here is typically the order we recommend:
Architect
Designer
Builder
START WITH THE ARCHITECT WHEN YOU NEED PERMITS OR ARE DOING A LARGE SCALE RENOVATION OR BUILD
1) We recommend starting with an architect for large-scale renovations and new builds.
Typically you need blueprints in order to get a permit, and that process can take some time depending on where you live
You want to see what’s possible for your space to make sure a renovation makes sense
Keep in mind, you may need to call in a structural engineer if you are moving any load-bearing walls. That’s a whole other conversation.
CONSULT WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER ONCE YOU HAVE PLANS
2) Once you have blueprints, we recommend consulting with an interior designer. Here’s a great recommendation for an interior designer if you need one.
While every design firm is different based on how they might structure their services and whether they have a general contractor license or not (at North Shore Nest we are not general contractors), here’s how we support our clients through a new build or renovation project:
We review blueprints to make sure the plans make the most sense for their lifestyle (not just today but for their future lifestyle as well)--often times this might mean we’re making furniture plans for key spaces so our clients can see what is possible once the renovation is done.
We collaborate with the architect to communicate changes.
Project: Northfield Go Big or Go Home | Service: Full Service Renovation Design & Furnishing Design
We check all the little things that could turn into major things down the road (door swings that block walkways or windows, windows that aren’t centered, kitchen layouts that aren’t practical, electric outlets that are missing in critical locations).
We maximize our client’s investment by suggesting elements they may not have considered but that make so much sense once they see it laid out.
We help our clients prioritize and budget accordingly.
We make recommendations for builders and trades when needed.
We make timeless selections for the design of the home, from architectural details to plumbing fixtures to paint colors to cabinetry. And we do it all in an organized way so our clients can enjoy the exciting experience of building or renovating, rather than be consumed by it.
Once the finish selections are complete, we then collaborate with the builder and offer project management services to troubleshoot as needed and to ensure all the details are executed perfectly so our clients aren’t bogged down in the millions of decisions that go into the process.
Project: Glenview Golf Course View Renovation | Service: Full Service Renovation Design & Furnishing Design
THEN BRING IN THE CONTRACTOR
3) Once your blueprints are finalized, we recommend getting bids from general contractors.
Builders will then use the blueprints to prepare a project budget and allowances
Builders are the ones to provide you with a timeline
Builders then manage their crews and the project
Project: Winnetka Bold & Blue | Service: Full Service Design
READY FOR US TO THROW A WRENCH IN THE ABOVE PROCESS?
>> Sometimes your builder already has plans drawn up.
In this case, we recommend hiring a designer to review them if it’s not too late to see what you can do to make the most of the layout (not just for furniture, but for electric, door swings, moldings, built-ins, etc). We often start each full-service renovation/new build project with a blueprint review so we know we are starting a solid foundation our clients will never regret.
>> Sometimes you want to do a kitchen remodel and aren’t sure if you need plans drawn, if you need to start fresh, or if you can just do a facelift.
In this case, we recommend hiring a designer to review your project and make a recommendation for a plan of action based on your goals and the current status of your space. Sometimes a GC might be necessary; other times a carpenter and painter may be all you need.
>> Sometimes you think it’s going to be a simple bathroom remodel but then you start demolition and realize you need to move plumbing, you have water damage, etc.
In this case, we typically collaborate with our favorite General Contractor to put together a bid for you on bathroom renovations that have any plumbing work involved.
BOTTOM LINE WHEN CONSIDERING A RENOVATION OR NEW BUILD PROJECT
The bottom line is: it’s always worth the investment to consult a professional. Before your house is ripped up, you’re spending lots of money you didn’t know you’d need to spend, and you’re potentially displaced or living amidst dust and contractors, it’s so important to go in with confidence and a plan to know you’re making the most of your time and financial investment.
If you’re considering a large-scale renovation or a new build, we’d love to hear from you. We are based in Glenview Illinois, serving the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs, as well as the Lake Geneva Wisconsin area. We are also currently working on new construction design projects in Scottsdale Arizona and Naples Florida and enjoy the diversity and learning opportunities offered by working in communities other than our own.
Wherever you are, we would love to connect if you are ready to enjoy an organized and exciting design process and a gorgeous finished home.
