Using Your Plans With a Custom Builder
Make an informed decision.
It’s not uncommon that we hear from potential clients who don’t want anyone else to build their home, but they’ve already worked out a plan with an architect. In that case, we will look at your plan and if it is something we can build, we’ll give you a proposal.
We’ve learned that most architects haven’t thought through many of the details of living in a home or even understand what is necessary in terms of room in the house for mechanicals and other functional details, so we encourage you to carefully consider the pros and cons summarized below.
The primary reason to choose an architect.
Architects are trained to push creative boundaries, offering designs that may be more unique and tailored to your vision. This usually is the primary reason clients go this route, despite the competing challenges listed below.
If you’ve found an architect you know you can trust and who will listen to your vision, the collaboration can take on a creative energy that produces an end result that is truly fitted for you.
3 Challenges to consider when using an outside architect:
Cost of Construction:
Architects may not have the same level of insight into current construction costs, which can lead to designs that exceed budget constraints. This gap can be particularly challenging in today’s fluctuating market. Most architects allow a set number of consultations and revisions. Beyond these, there are additional fees charged to the client.Lack of Building Experience:
An architect without boots-on-the-ground building experience may create elaborate plans without considering the practical implications. This often results in homeowners being handed designs that are breathtaking on paper but unattainable in reality – or often cost expensive change orders to fix the problems in the plan.Longer Timelines:
The design approval process with an architect can take longer due to the need for detailed plans, revisions, and consultations, which can delay the overall project timeline.
The Heritage “Hybrid” Option
Most construction companies offer only pre-made plans unless you bring an architect’s custom design. We believe that we’ve created an option that offers the best of both worlds.
We’ve curated a lineup of cleverly designed plans that are both versatile and cost effective. Several of our team have lived in these plans and refined them to correct what they didn’t love. We often say that with our plans, “you get the benefit of our experience without having to learn the lesson.” We regularly adopt new plans into our lineup as we witness what is current and popular morph and evolve.
Heritage employs a talented draftsman who can customize our plans within reason. He works closely with our experienced design team and project managers and understands both the priority of form balanced with the necessity of function.
The benefit of hiring a single company to plan and execute your home is that there is a single point of responsibility for the outcome of the project. Furthermore, we know what our plans/features cost and can give you pricing up front that doesn’t have the chance of needing additional work not factored in by a 3rd party architect.
So, which option is best for you?
Choosing between customizable plans with an in-house draftsman and a brand new plan from a 3rd party architect largely depends on your priorities—be it cost, communication, creativity, or the overall vision for your home. If you value a more streamlined process and budget-conscious designs, a process like Heritage offers with plans that are vetted, yet customizable may be the best for you.
On the other hand, if you seek a unique and personalized home, an architect could provide the creative vision you desire, despite the potential for higher costs and miscommunication risks.
Ultimately, the best option is one that aligns with your needs, preferences, and budget.
Custom Builds and Collaboration
Each of these homes is a custom build we’ve successfully executed, and many of them were built using plans brought by the customer from a 3rd party architect. We love collaborating with other industry professionals, so if you decide to use someone else’s plan, we can still build your home, help reduce overwhelm, and increase your decision-making confidence to see your dream home come to life!
