Many homeowners often make the common mistake of hiring an architect without involving a general contractor concurrently or shortly after. This can lead to project delays and cost overruns. The key issue here is a lack of awareness about the benefits of early contractor involvement.

When starting a project, people typically approach an architect for design services. While this is valid, it’s crucial to ensure the architect is well-established, experienced, and understands construction costs and timelines. Not involving a contractor early can result in issues such as insufficient planning, inaccurate cost estimates, miscommunication, design changes, and delays.

Architects may develop designs without considering the contractor’s input, leading to budget overruns. The redesign process can be time-consuming and costly, involving multiple consultants like structural engineers and interior designers.