We receive many calls from people who are interested in remodeling their homes and perhaps 90 percent of our clients are unacquainted with the process. From developing a design concept to completing construction, much can be done to ease the transition from one step to the next by way of a Design/Build Architect. Few people realize how complex the remodeling process can be. You can get lost in a labyrinth of design options, building codes, zoning laws, design reviews, engineers and contractors. The headache of dealing with all those entities on your own can lead you onto a path of frustration and anxiety. A Design/Build Architect is a trained professional who has the education and experience to assist you through both the design and construction processes and is well equipped to handle all the details. Check with the local American Institute of Architects chapter to see if the Architect you are working with is an AIA member. This insures you are working with a reputable Architect who abides by the AIA canons of ethics and professional responsibility.

Design/Build Architects design and build concepts and environments, not just four walls with a roof. They create living and/or working spaces that are functional, dynamic, and visually appealing. A Design/Build Architect's services are a wise investment and not just an added cost to your project. A well-planned project can be built more economically and efficiently. Changes made on the drawing board are much less expensive than alterations made during the actual construction phase.

A Design/Build Architect also has experience with materials and can help you choose finishes, fixtures, and materials that are not only attractive and durable but the "most" for your money. There are a sundry of suppliers, and material quality differs greatly. A Design/Build Architect's experience with merchandise can save you hassles in the future by advising you as to which materials may be the most appropriate, thus saving on maintenance and/or replacement costs.

Investing in the services of a Design/Architect can also increase the value of your home or office. A well-designed project adds resale value to your home. An office or workplace that is appealing generates more business and is an environment that is conducive to more productive employees.

A Design/Build Architect is an asset to your project. He can make the process operate more smoothly and effectively. He looks out for your interests and guides you with sound advice, design knowledge and experience. Most importantly a Design/Build Architect oversees every detail of a project until it is complete. This makes a tremendous difference in the environment of your daily life.

How To Build and Still Sleep at Night:
7 Tips on Reducing the Stress of Remodeling

Remodeling can be a stressful experience. Once the actual construction process begins, the possibility of disruption to your daily routine can be quite disconcerting. Following tried and true advice from some of our former clients who have gone through the experience can help you if you are planning to undertake a remodeling project.

Former clients, Debbie and Tom Walton embarked on an extensive project that included an attic conversion and remodeling of several other areas in their home. Raising two young children, compounded with the construction process, amplified the disruption in their daily routine. The construction of their remodel lasted about 4 months.

The following are some tips offered by our clients as a way to decrease tension levels:

1. Expect to give up your privacy.
Construction crews begin first thing in the morning and are on site when most people are still in the process of getting ready for work. Don't get upset that the workers see you in your nightgown. Get a pair of sweats to sleep in. They don't care what you look like; they just want you out of the way so they can get on with the work.

2. Plan to alter your life.
Expect that part or most of your house will be inhabited by crews that will be working away, generating dust, noise and a mess. Responsible and considerate crews will clean up after themselves on a daily basis but dust can still be pervasive. If you can afford it, stay in a hotel or at a friend's or relative's house during remodeling. If you can't do that, bring essential items to a "temporary residence" in another part of the house so you can function separately from the area that is being remodeled. Since furniture, clothing and utensils have to be moved to other rooms or put in storage, it is difficult to operate when things aren't in their "normal" place. Just preparing yourself mentally for this disruption can make your life less stressful.

3. Put your unessential belongings in storage.
Because of dust and traffic you may want to have your furniture kept in a storage facility to ensure that your things don't get soiled or damaged. If your home is large enough, pack things away and put them in another room that has little or no activity.

4. Keep your children busy.
If you have kids, keep them busy with activities. This can be challenging when their normal play area is "under construction". Look for after-school activities in which they can be involved outside the home or arrange to return the favor by baby-sitting for your neighbor or supply some other service.

5. Have your dinners prepared and delivered by an outside source.
One of many businesses who provide meal preparation service is "Jessie & Laurent", a team of superb professional chefs that offer delicious home-cooked lowfat meals and delivery. Operating out of San Anselmo, (you can reach them at 415-485-1122) they bring in meals on a weekly basis. "The convenience is wonderful and the food is great" claims Debbie Walton who used their services during her remodel.

6. Assign one member of the household to be the "Project Manager".
To keep discord to a minimum between mates, one client suggested that just one person be in charge of what is going on during the remodeling process. Arguments can abound about decisions regarding time schedules, carpet colors, material choices, etc. If just one person is taking charge after conferring with family members, things run more smoothly and there is less confusion.

7. Prepare for additional costs.
Due to changes that lead to other changes that are sometimes unforeseen, Architects recommend reserving 10 to 15 percent more than you budgeted for. One example is when a client had a room renovated and decided to make upgrades with fixtures, tiles and carpeting that he initially didn't plan on doing at all. Design changes and/or unexpected damage (like dry rot), can also lead to higher costs. It is much more cost effective to do this extra work during the construction phase when crews are available as opposed to making changes at a later date.