Ready to BUILD your first Home in Iloilo City?

Finally, you are now ready to build your first home in Iloilo City. What’s next? Should you go directly to a builder or should you hire an architect?

For first time homeowners, building that dream home in Iloilo City could be overwhelming but not with good and trusted architects.

What good architects CAN do
Architects are licensed professionals and have undergone rigorous trainings and internship –from landscape design to structural engineering – that’s why they are able to anticipate a would-be homeowner’s special needs. Their vast experience enables them to foresee possibilities thus offer apt solutions. Good architects are able to conceive ideas for you even if you are uncertain of how to express them.

Why hire a good architect
There are more than enough good reasons why you need to go to an architect first, rather than settle for ready-made dream home designs and blueprints online. After all, this is your first home and you don’t want it to be a disaster much so you don’t want to regret a major decision later.

The most important reason is pretty obvious –architects exactly know your needs are (and even your fears!) as a first time home owner and they exactly know what to do.

Good architects are meticulous about knowing and defining your needs before putting to life your dream house design.

These are the questions they would usually ask before coming up with a house design that totally fits you and your family’s lifestyle.

1. Describe your current home. What do you like and dislike about it?
2. What is missing, and what would you change.
3. What kind of ideas do you have about design and / or materials?
4. Are there any particular design features that are important to you?
- What kind of style do you require for the project e.g. contemporary, traditional, industrial, bold, elegant, minimal etc.
- Do you have any specific materials or surfaces in mind that you would like to see included in the project?
- Do you have specific time requirements for the project to be complete?
- Do you have any specific accessibility requirements, for example is anyone in your family disabled or do you have any regular visitors that would have special needs?
- Do you have any specific considerations toward sustainability and energy efficiency – is there a particular system you would like to use: i.e., solar panels etc?
- What are your budget requirements?

About the site:
- Why did you choose this site?
- Is there anything about the site that you particularly like or dislike?
- Are there any views within the site that are particularly important to you?
- Possible house area in response to your lot size?

About the occupants:
- How many people will be living in the new home?
- Do you foresee new additions to the home (ie children)
- Are there any pets that will need to be accommodated?

About the lifestyle:
- Describe your lifestyle and the kind of spaces that you need? For example, work from home, entertain often, etc
- How much time do you spend in the different areas of your home (indoors and outdoors)?
- What type of entertainment systems do you require? Music, TV, projectors, speakers throughout the house?
- What type of storage do you require? Specific hobbies that require lots of storage space? Large wardrobe space?

Indoor spaces:
- Number of floors / rooms / spaces
Your answers to the above questions will be the basis of the house design that your architect will formulate for you. It is necessary that you answer these as specific and as honest as you can so your architect can draft the plan nearest to your vision.

Know why you’re hiring an architect
We hear stories about first time homeowners spending double their budget and ending up with a home they aren’t satisfied with despite tons of research.

Since you are hiring an architect, it must follow that you should also know his role in your dream home project. Architects usually charge 8 to 15% of the total cost for their professional fee
So, how do you maximize your architect’s services? Know his role and make sure he is with you from start to finish of your dream house project.

Here’s a rundown of what your architect can do for you:
1. Draft the plans. Remember, you need these drawings for permits and for your contractors on site.
2. Your professional adviser for fixtures and finishes in the absence of a designer.
3. Your link to good contractors. Good architects refer good contractors.
4. Manage contractors and the project. Your architect is your point person for order deadlines, hiring specialized contractors on top of your regular contractor.
5. Your project adviser. Architects not only help manage the project – they also are your source for suggestions on keeping the project on time and keeping the budget in check.
6. Periodic/progress meetings/Random site visits.

Before signing on an architect, get as much information as you can on what he can do for you and what it takes for him to do all these.

Building your dream home in Iloilo City can be daunting but with the right architects, you are well on your way to achieving that dream home in no time with fewer worries.