Builder vs. Architect: Who to Hire for a Major Renovation

by | Jan 14, 2021 | Other Building News

The home improvement market in New Zealand has grown quite massively in the last six months. That’s
because people are investing their money into their homes. Instead of spending their saving on foreign
travel, many Kiwis chose to upgrade their homes. House revamp, room extension, garage conversion,
you name it. We have seen it all.

Best of all, the growing popularity of home revamps projects in the country continues to pique the
interest of many folks. In fact, we get a lot of questions from our readers and customers. One of the
most common questions we encounter is who does a home renovation better, a builder, or an architect?
To answer that question sufficiently, let’s take a closer look at each type of professional.

Builders and Architects – Similarities and Differences

Knowing who to choose between the two can make a lot of difference to your overall project costs and
timeframe. A good point of comparison between the two would be their training and specialty.

Architects are usually university-trained, and they mostly focus on the overall layout of a space. Their
primary focus is to maximize the area by using customized designs or features. They also draft the
blueprint that a builder uses as their guide during the project.

Meanwhile, a home builder focuses on managing the project and carrying out the instructions on the
blueprint. Many home builders started out as general contractors, but some opt to hone their skills
further by completing training or apprenticeship.

Another key difference between the two is their approach to doing a project. Typically, builders focus on
practicality by finding ways they can simplify processes. This can sometimes cause conflicts between the
architects. In most cases, architects tend to have their goal set on executing their plans to a tee.

Fortunately, if you get to work with a professional team of builders and architects, you wouldn’t have to
worry about such issues. Instead, you can expect both to cooperate and complete your project within
the agreed date.

So, which one is the Better Choice?

Bottom line, the answer to this question largely depends on your needs for the project. Do you have
special requests for the project? Are you in need of complicated designs? If you answer yes to both
questions, then it may be better to have an architect on board. An architect can come up with unique
and bespoke features that a builder or an architectural designer may not be able to do.

On the other hand, if you have a straightforward project that requires minimal customization, hiring a
house builder may be enough. A typical custom home builder has the necessary skills and experience to

turn your plans into a reality. You also don’t need to pay extra consultation fees for the customization of
the designs.

Make sure to weigh in carefully on the two options. Consider the requirements of the projects, your
budget, and the necessary skills needed to achieve your project goals.
Ready to jumpstart your home revamp project? Maintain to Profit is here to help! Get in touch with our
team today. Let’s make your dream makeover plans come true with our team’s skills and expertise.