As long as the construction drawings are sufficiently detailed and the builder is competent. The architect should be able to perform Construction Observation Services for you, periodically visiting the site to write reports and take pictures to send you.

I agree that an accurate and complete set of plans coupled with the selection of a competent builder enable you to minimize the number of site visits you'll need to make. There are a variety of communication tools that can keep you informed and involved. Ask your builder what they use.

Do you have an architect? If so, it's probably less expensive to have her/him perform regularly scheduled construction observation and progress payment audits than for you to fly out and remain until construction is complete.

Good luck!

We have lived through remodeling and building and have done it remotely.... if you are remote, definitely pay for the architect to supervise. Technology does help...my choice would be to rent nearby for the project...but logistics in Covid times....

We live just 20 miles from our new site and we still got our architect to make site inspections for us and it was worth every penny. He caught two major mistakes on time, so they were able to fix it. The biggest mistake was the elevator pit was 6 inches off and that would have caused a disastrous loss of space on the first floor.

Thanks all --in our situation, our architect comes WITH the contractor, since we are getting this done through the insurance company (what our insurance coverage affords). I think I should hire an independent architect who would work strictly for me for this part of the work. Also, I think an architect would be far better at monitoring the situation than me, and if I have to spend a money on an extra rental for me to be there or on an architect, I am guessing the better place for that money would be the architect for the first part of the project. I doubt I would even catch a mistake like the 6 inches you describe above.

I was afraid you were going to say it was a contractor hired by insurance. The GC will be looking to make a profit from the insurance payout and the quality of your project will be under their control. I would hire my own independent inspector, be it an architect, professional engineer or even a designer with remodeling/building experience.

agreed - money will spent on an advocate for YOU. IIRC there are folks that do this for a living - think independent insurance appraisers or adjusters? (possible that ship has sailed) but you definitely need someone looking out for your interests and not beholden to the insurance company.

The house, which was my father in law's, was so underinsured I doubt the insurance company is going to hold out on us. Insurer has already approved we get all of the money available --it would have been far too little to rebuild the whole house, but just part of it --a room and a bathroom-- was destroyed. I just want someone to watch over errors.... I have a couple of people I know of, who do this. If you know of anyone in LA area, let me know. And many thanks everyone for your helpful feedback --I would rather spend my money on the architect than my own presence. They will do the better job.