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How to Select an Architect Virginia

Selecting the right architect for your project can be a daunting task. It is paramount to hire the right architect for the job, since you will be working hand in hand through the duration of the project, and the designs that your architect draws will affect you for the life of the building or the duration of your use of it.

1. Local Companies

2. What Does an Architect Do?

3. What Should I Hire an Architect For?

4. When Should I Start Looking For an Architect?

5. Featured Local Company

1 . Local Companies

Herring & Trowbridge Architects
703.742.4074
690 Center Street, Suite 200
Herndon, VA

Bridlewood Custom Homes
804-305-6238
132 Riverside
Charlottesville, VA

Mather Architects, P.C.
540-442-1400
373 Neff Ave.
Harrisonburg, VA

Main Street Architecture, P.C.
540-955-1669
37 East Main Street
Berryville, VA

Samuel S. Cleveland, Architect
434 296-5100
213 Bennington Road
Charlottesville, VA

Aaslestad Preservation Consulting
540-447-4405
120 South Augusta Street
Staunton, VA

Candace M.P. Smith Architect, P.C.
434-963-4500
202 6th St. NE
Charlottesville, VA

EngineerSupply.com
206-202-3647
4435 Cumberland Dr
Christiansburg, VA

Gorman Architects, plc
434 978-2004
1701D Allied Street
Charlottesville, VA

Kerns Group Architects
703 528-1150
Arlington, VA

2 . What Does an Architect Do?

Often what architects do seems to be a mystery. What the public sees is that an architect pulls ideas straight out of their head, draws them, and then a building pops up according to their specifications. But in reality, an architect’s job is much more complicated than that. An architect must understand the purpose for the building, and must be able to see all the uses and problems to be able to design a functional building. In order for this to happen effectively, the architect and the client must be communicating their needs clearly to each other. The client must be able to give his or her vision to the architect, so he or she can then design a building that will live up to the client’s expectations.

3 . What Should I Hire an Architect For?

The answer to this question is based on your individual needs, experience, and confidence in your own design and building abilities. Certainly, few people would aspire to design and construct a full-scale office building, but it is common for individual homeowners to manage remodeling and small add-ons. It is important to understand that even the smallest project can be intensely complicated. For instance, if remodeling a room in your home-involved alteration of a structural wall, then it might be risky to attempt without at least consulting an architect on the best way to approach the project.

In many cases, the only obvious aspect of the project is the current problem that the project is to rectify. For instance, perhaps your office is too small and needs additional storage space, but you have no land on which to build an add on, etc. An architect can help you form a solution to your problem.

4 . When Should I Start Looking For an Architect?

The short answer is simple – as soon as possible! As mentioned above, an architect can be helpful, as soon as you have identified the problem to be fixed. Depending on your specific needs, the architect may be able to help by doing site studies, work to secure zoning and planning approvals, as well as many other items that should occur before the design is even formed!

It is important to realize that a construction project, especially a new construction, can take years to complete. It is not uncommon for two years to pass from the time one decides that construction is necessary until the ground breaking. Approvals must be obtained, designs must be drawn, land must be scoped, etc. Most architects are familiar with the pre-construction process and will help you reach the groundbreaking phase quicker, if you hire them right at the start of the project.

5 . Featured Local Company

Herring & Trowbridge Architects

703.742.4074
690 Center Street, Suite 200
Herndon, VA
http://www.htarch.com

Read more about How to Select an Architect

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Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History