The big question is: What's the difference? You want a new home, so who do you hire - An architect? A home designer?
The best way to know who to hire is to first know what each one does. Here is a quick description of an architect:
Architects design ALL types of buildings - not just homes. Hospitals, hotels, churches, etc..
Architects have a degree in architecture and are licenced with the state they work in.
After communication with those involved, the achitect will draw up plans for the design, usually with a computer-aided model.
Architects are able to calculate the needed lateral shear and vertical loads to make the building safe and structurally sound.
Architects then closely supervise as a construction firm takes over to build the design from the architect.
What about a home designer? Here is a quick description of a home designer:
A home designer design only homes and small commercial projects (under 4000 square feet)
A home designer will also communicate with the homeowner and others involved to draw up plans for the design, using a computer-aided model.
A home designer often will work with an engineer to calculate the needed lateral shear and vertical loads for the structural soundness of the home.
A home designer will then give there plans to the homeowner or builder to construct the new home.
So, when it comes to your home design, there isn't much of a difference between an architect and a home designer.
Obviously, there can be bad home designers and good ones. Just like there can be bad architects and good ones.
So choose a home designer (or architect) with good experience. Try to find one who has done the construction side of the work, not just design. Their designs tend to be buildable in the real world not just on paper.
One of the big differences between a home designer and an architect is price.
Architects, because of there degree and schooling tend to me much more expensive than a home designer.
So when you get the same home in the end, why would you spend the extra money?
