The Value of a Log Home Architect: Onsite Construction Inspections
On-site inspection and verification of construction is an invaluable service many architects provide clients during the construction phase of their custom log home. At Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft, we have incorporated site visits as a standard practice with a minimum of five on-site inspections as a base line. Having your architect perform on-site inspections is very much like an insurance policy guaranteeing that your builder is building your home according to your plans and specifications. Custom log home construction can be complicated by a complex design or by your build site itself. As such, many decisions are made as the construction of your home progresses. It’s easy and tempting for the builder to take short cuts that might affect the build quality of your home. In addition, interpretation and adjustments to your plans are normal as conditions at the construction site change and information becomes available.
The cost of constructing a custom log home can be a huge financial investment for most homeowners – often times the largest financial investment a person will make in their lifetime. Engaging the services of a professional and licensed architect can greatly enhance the success of your project and will pay for itself in savings and satisfaction. At Mountain Architects, our standard architectural services include design, feasibility cost estimating, preparation of the construction documents, structural engineering, competitive builder bid administration, building permit submittals and site inspections. The package of services might be summarized as “advocate” for the homeowner. Site inspections are a critical element in the suite of services and protects the homeowner by ensuring that the home is being built as planned.
Most homeowners are not construction experts. It would be unreasonable to expect a typical homeowner to see and certify if the builder is on track and performing as expected. However, an architect is a construction expert. If the builder knows that they must answer to a knowable professional, the builder is more likely to be accountable for the work performed. Also, on-site decisions are not made on the fly and without oversight.
The architect provides the homeowner with both creative talent and technical know-how. In order to do a complete and effective job for the homeowner, the architect needs to be involved beyond the preparation of the drawings. The level of involvement may be as limited as to four or five site visits. At Mountain Architects, our base service is to visit the site at least five times. More site visits are at the discretion of the owner and architect depending on the project progress and reliability of the builder
The building of a custom home requires a team of professionals including the architect, engineer, builder, sub-contractors and suppliers. A successful building project takes a level of trust, particularly between the architect and the builder. The best formula, as once stated by President Ronald Regan, “Trust but verify.”
Learn more about PrecisionCraft’s Total Log Home Solution to learn how PrecisionCraft’s services ensure your project is a success minimizing unexpected costs and opportunity for issues or concerns.