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marcier77

Looking to renovate: Start with architect, designer or GC?

9 years ago

We are looking to renovate our dutch colonial this year. The renovation will likely include a 2 story extension (adding 250 sq ft per floor), an almost complete gut of the 2nd floor, finishing the basement, new systems for the house (plumbing, electric, furnace), and updating the kitchen and baths (3). We have a list of things we would like to do to the house (e.g. add a bathroom on 1st floor), but it is not very obvious how to execute these goals. The house is super flexible in design and we don't know how to meet all of our goals.

I'm at a loss as to where to start, and I've received different advice from friends/family. Some swear by starting with a designer/decorator, saying they are less expensive and have better ideas about how family life in a home works. Some tell me that we should start with the architect - though expensive, they can best guide the layout of the space. Others tell me to start with the GC, since they actually build spaces, they know the actual costs for building (and help you control them), and usually have architects they work with who can just write up the plans (thus you don't have expensive architectural fees.

Thoughts? When you renovate, do you start with a particular person? Given the host of items we would like to tackle, how would you begin? I would like to schedule meetings, but I don't want to meet with 10 different people!

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