You can call on a number of professionals to help guide the design and construction or renovation of your home. This section will help you to understand the professionals available, the services you may need, the codes you should be aware of and the scams you might run across when you rebuild. Be aware that most design professionals act as your advocate and advisor in the process. The cost of hiring this type of assistance should not be considered an “additional” expense added on top of your budget. Quite the opposite is often the case. Without professional assistance, you will be more vulnerable to overruns and misunderstandings, as well as general inefficiencies that can, in the end, cost much more than the professional’s fee. If you are unfamiliar with the construction process, consider professional assistance to be a cost-control measure, not an additional expense.
Depending on the extent and type of work you need done, there are many professionals you can rely on. The designers, engineers, landscapers, surveyors and other industry professionals outlined in this section can help define your needs and come up with a design that responds to your desires, your community, the site and the climate. In addition, they can help you manage your project, get exactly what you want, ensure quality workmanship and meet a budget.
Hiring industry professionals with the proper training, licenses and insurance is the best way to ensure the quality and safety of your rebuilding and/or repair. Having licensed and certified professionals is also necessary for local government permitting, inspection and ultimately granting a certificate of occupancy. Architects, engineers and design professionals go through years of education, training and examinations in order to design and structure buildings.
In order to get a building permit it will be necessary to hire a licensed contractor who is insured. He will, in turn, use subcontractors (plumbers, electricians, etc.) who are licensed as well, which is required in order to get a certificate of occupancy at the end of construction.
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