If you have architectural drawings for your new addition, but want to continue your project with a design-builder, it can be done. While most design-build companies work with homeowners on renovations and additions from start to finish, some projects show up already through the design phase.
If you’re a homeowner and you’ve previously worked with an architect to put your addition on paper, a design-build company can then provide a cost for the work. Action Builders is a design-build company that offers full-service design and construction for residential renovations and additions, and we can work with your architectural drawings.
Working with Architectural Drawings Previously Acquired for Your Home Addition
How a Contractor Works with Basic Design Drawings
The quality of drawings a homeowner may present to a design-build contractor ranges greatly from architect to architect. Some homeowners pay for design drawings—and they are just that—a floor plan or two on paper, or an existing floor plan with a few exterior elevations. There is no detail outlined on how the structure is to be built or any specifications of building materials, since they are design drawings only.
Drawings for Home Additions by Commercial Architects
If a homeowner comes to a design-build contractor wanting a simple addition built, and they have 30+ pages of full-fledged architectural drawings with everything specced out and including disclaimers, they usually come from a commercial architect who is a friend of the homeowner and did the drawings as a favor. The commercial architect is certainly well qualified to do the structural drawings for a residential addition, but they are significantly more detailed than the residential market tends to be.
Reputable Contractors Build Additions Properly and Warranty Their Work
Simple is better when it comes to remodeling and additions. When a homeowner shows up with full-fledged architectural drawings, the contractor is still going to build the project how they build additions. At Action Builders, we have a 5-year warranty on our work, and we make sure home additions are built properly.
The Design-Build Method of Delivery Saves Time and Money
Many times, a commercial architect draws materials that are not commonly used residentially or that increase the overall project cost more than necessary. At Action Builders, we stand by how we build things, so we charge and build according to that ethic. We are happy to use existing architectural drawings but also clarify with homeowners that if the architect will be involved during construction, then we have much less control on the overall costs and project schedule.
