When most people envision building their dream home, the first thought is often to hire a licensed architect to design it. While architects can certainly bring incredible creativity and expertise to a project, here in Idaho, it’s not always necessary to hire one. In fact, there are alternative paths to achieving stunning, fully customized homes—often at a fraction of the cost.
As a custom home builder with over 10 years of experience in the Treasure Valley, we’ve designed and built some extraordinary homes with jaw-dropping architectural features—all without an architect. How? By leveraging the talents of skilled draftsmen and engineers.
How Draftsmen Can Deliver Exceptional Results
A draftsman (or designer) is highly capable of creating construction-ready plans that can bring your vision to life. They specialize in translating ideas into precise, detailed drawings that are ready for permitting and construction. However, there is one critical element they typically don’t handle: structural calculations.
For this, we collaborate with engineering firms to ensure everything meets structural and safety requirements. These calculations generally cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Even with this added step, using a draftsman is often significantly more affordable than hiring a licensed architect.
Should You Hire an Architect?
There are certainly cases where hiring an architect is beneficial. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros of Hiring a Licensed Architect
- Innovative Design Expertise: Architects are trained to push creative boundaries and can bring unique, one-of-a-kind elements to your home.
- Comprehensive Oversight: Many architects provide end-to-end project management, overseeing every detail from concept to completion.
- Specialized Knowledge: For highly complex or unconventional designs, an architect’s expertise can ensure all elements come together seamlessly.
Cons of Hiring a Licensed Architect
- Higher Costs: Architects’ fees can range from 5% to 20% of the total construction cost, making it a significant investment.
- Longer Timelines: The design process with an architect can take longer due to the level of detail and revisions involved.
- Not Always Necessary: For many custom homes, especially those under 10,000 square feet, a skilled draftsman and engineer can deliver equally impressive results.
Why a Design-Build Firm Is the Best Choice
One of the smoothest and most efficient paths to building your custom home is partnering with a design-build firm. As a design-build company, we streamline the entire process by offering an integrated team of experts. From talented draftsmen and engineers to interior designers and construction pros, we have everything you need to bring your dream home to life.
Our process eliminates the guesswork, ensuring every detail is handled seamlessly. Whether your project requires the creative flair of an architect or the efficiency of a draftsman-engineer collaboration, we guide you through the decision-making process and manage it all for you.
Start Your Custom Home Journey
At Maybon Homes, we’ve helped countless homeowners in the Treasure Valley and beyond turn their visions into reality. Whether your dream home is a cozy retreat or a sprawling 13,000-square-foot masterpiece, our team is equipped to deliver exceptional results.
Ready to start building? Contact us today to learn more about how our design-build approach can bring your dream home to life with creativity, efficiency, and trust.
