Questions & Answers - Hiring a Custom Home Designer

While we may hope for a stress-free construction process, building a house can often be quite overwhelming. However, with proper preparation, it can also be a positive and fulfilling experience. Hiring a custom home designer can help make the process more enjoyable and less stressful.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START WORKING WITH A DESIGNER ON YOUR CUSTOM HOME?

As soon as you make the decision to build a home!
Regardless of whether you plan to begin construction in a few months or a couple years, having a designer on your team at anytime is better than going it alone.


HOW IS A CUSTOM HOME DESIGNER BENEFICIAL?

Specializing in Custom Home Design, we have extensive experience working with many Home Builders and Architects, making us a valuable resource to help you select the right team for your project. As a Custom Home Designer, we work with you throughout the entire process, from initial concept to final walkthrough, to ensure that your dream home becomes a reality.


IS IT WORTH THE COST? WON’T IT EAT INTO MY BUDGET THAT I COULD PUT TOWARDS MY HOUSE?

Joel Spolsky said it best, “design adds value faster than it adds costs”. With our expertise, we can help you avoid expensive mistakes while increasing the value of your home. Whether you plan to use your new home as a stepping stone or a permanent residence, we help maximize the value of your home while staying within your budget.


WHAT EXACTLY DOES A CUSTOM HOME DESIGNER DO? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE INVESTMENT?

While some designers may vary what they include, here at Arters Design, we work with our clients from initial concept to final walkthrough. Often times long after, as many clients hire us to help furnish and style their new home after it’s been built.

Our Custom Home Design Service Includes

  • assistance or recommendations to help you decide on an architect and home builder

  • assistance finding a floor plan

  • working with the architect and builder on your house plans

  • creating interior and exterior design features

  • adding architectural design elements

  • cabinetry design and layout

  • lighting layout planning

  • limited electrical layout planning

  • guidance with finish selections - paint and stain colors, flooring, tile, fixtures, lighting, doors, siding, roofing, appliances, etc

  • client liaison - we are team YOU! Though we view our relationship with the builder, architect, and trades as a partnership, at the end of the day, we are here to support and help ensure your vision comes to life.

  • quality and design control throughout the build - we are another set of eyes to ensure our designs and your home are being built to your expectations

  • help with solutions to problems that occur during the build - they will inevitably arise, no build is perfect

  • accompany you during your final walkthrough to help identify anything that may have been missed before your final sign off


WHAT IF THE BUILDER ALREADY HAS AN IN-HOUSE DESIGNER ON STAFF, WHY WOULD I PAY FOR A SECOND DESIGNER?

The role of in-house designers for most builders is primarily focused on assisting with selections from a refined list and guiding clients through the selections process. Typically, they act more as a design coordinator. Most are not involved in the early planning and design stages of your house plans and usually do not meet with clients until it's time to start finalizing finishes that were previously planned for with the builder. However, this does not diminish the value of in-house designers as they are knowledgeable about the builder's products and materials and can quickly answer questions related to them.

Hiring an outside designer who specializes in custom home build design may be a good idea if you are looking for more comprehensive design services beyond just selections assistance. Nonetheless, in-house designers are valuable resources and can work collaboratively with outside designers to bring your vision to life.


WILL MY BUILDER BE OFFENDED IF I HIRE AN OUTSIDE DESIGNER?

A builder who is confident in their skills and experience will welcome the opportunity to collaborate with an outside designer to create a beautiful and functional home that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Working with an outside designer can actually benefit your builder as well. We bring fresh ideas and perspectives that enhance the overall design and functionality of your home. This can result in a more successful project and ultimately a happier client, along with additional material to market their building skills.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that building a custom home is a collaborative effort. It's important to work with a team that you trust and feel comfortable communicating with. Hiring an outside designer should not be seen as a threat to your builder, but rather an opportunity to create the home of your dreams with the help of multiple professionals.


WHAT DOES IT COST TO HIRE ARTERS DESIGN AS A CUSTOM HOME DESIGNER?

We determine the cost of hiring us as your custom home designer based on your individual needs and preferences. Since every project is unique, we cannot provide a one-size-fits-all answer. However, we can offer you a personalized investment cost that takes into account factors such as your ideas, budget, and timeline. To get started, we ask that you fill out our New Construction Questionnaire so that we can gather all the necessary information.

ARTERS DESIGN