Where all the goods and the bads begins in custom home building

It all starts with an idea, unique to each individual, and not inherently good or bad. When clients share their imaginative concepts, it falls upon the collaborative effort of Designers, Architects, and Engineers to transform them into reality. Occasionally, certain ideas may prove impractical or financially burdensome to implement.

Homeowners sometimes opt to assemble their own team of professionals, including Designers, Architects, Engineers, and HVAC specialists, often excluding builders. In such cases, homeowners, lacking construction experience, can become overly enthusiastic and inadvertently inflate their budgets. Designers and Engineers might present impressive but theoretical designs, only for homeowners to later grapple with unexpectedly high costs during construction. Conversely, inexperienced design teams might oversize structural elements like beams, columns, joists, and walls, incurring unnecessary expenses.

Nine Arch Estates (NAE) faced this dilemma when clients completed their design and gained city approval before enlisting NAE for construction. NAE uncovered numerous errors, missing dimensions, and improperly sized structures, such as beams, columns, joists, footings, rebars, and walls. While builders usually follow the plan, NAE consistently double-checks for discrepancies before commencing construction, striving for accuracy but acknowledging that perfection is elusive. NAE collaborates closely with experienced contractors and suppliers to identify and rectify issues during the building process, resulting in significant cost savings for clients.

Today, HVAC design plays a critical role, encompassing not just ductwork and equipment installation but also energy efficiency, technological advancements, and cost considerations. NAE employed its own HVAC designer to revamp the system, incorporating features like radiant floor heating, heat pumps, ice melters, and appropriately sized boilers. These revisions, while beneficial, do introduce delays and additional expenses. Consequently, it is advisable for homeowners to involve an experienced builder in the design phase. If homeowners choose to design before engaging a builder, they should ensure their Designers and Engineers possess the expertise to optimize the design effectively.