Some people view hiring an architect as just one more expense in the already expensive process of building or remodeling a structure, when in fact, hiring an architect should be seen as a valuable investment in the overall success of the project.
A good Long Beach architect can provide you with a superior end result on your building or remodeling project. Architects are trained to see the possibilities in an existing space and can envision the brand new home or building that will meet all of your stated goals. An experienced architect can recommend solutions that you may not think of on your own or solve complex problems that require special knowledge or expertise.
Contrary to popular belief, architects aren’t just used for big projects like commercial building design or custom home design. The average homeowner looking to do an addition or remodel their existing space can benefit greatly from using an architect, as can the owner of a commercial space that wants to have some tenant improvements done. A small project isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem and often needs the expertise that an architect can provide.
One of the most valuable aspects of hiring a Long Beach architect is that he or she can produce clear and accurate architectural design plans. These plans will be presented to the city for approval. They will also be given to any general contractors you wish to have bid on the job. When general contractors receive thorough and easy-to-read drawings, they are able to more accurately price the job. Good drawings will also create less confusion for your contractor down the road and will lead to a better finished product that is in line with what you are envisioning.
An architect can also advocate on your behalf with the city planning department. Have you ever tried to navigate the permitting process? We have—many times. It’s not a simple process—especially for the uninitiated!
At our Long Beach architecture firm, we’ve had several clients come to us after MONTHS of trying to get approvals from their city planning departments on their own! These are smart and otherwise accomplished individuals who thought they would be able to draw up some simple plans, submit them to the city for approval, and start the construction process within a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, that’s not how the process works (at least not in California). Some of the local code requirements are very complex. At Grisafe Architecture, we actually have a dedicated building code specialist in our office to make sure all of our designs are in compliance before they are submitted to the city for approval. After the plans have been submitted, we do all of the necessary follow-up work until all of the approvals have been received.
Once construction begins on your project, our architecture firm can work directly with your general contractor to make sure the plans are being followed and to help keep things moving forward.
To summarize, a good Long Beach architect can be a valuable resource for you—all the way from the early days, when your project is just an idea in your head, to its final completion. Contact us at Grisafe Architecture to learn more about how we can help you with your upcoming project.
