Every home has its quirks, and the longer you live there, the more noticeable they become. This is especially true with older Long Beach homes that have been remodeled multiple times over the years. It might be a bedroom that you can only access by going through another bedroom, a kitchen with a single, cramped entry and exit point, a laundry room that’s on the opposite side of the house from the bedrooms, a living room with no obvious place to hang a television, or any number of other things that don’t make sense.
When you finally decide you can no longer live with your home’s current layout, you’ll likely need a Long Beach architect to help you come up with a plan for your home remodel.
If you’re going to go through the trouble and expense to fix the quirks in your home, you might want to consider improving it in other ways at the same time.
By working with an architect or architecture firm in Long Beach that specializes in home remodels, you can come up with a plan that makes the best use of the space you have. Adding square footage is not always necessary to get you everything you want in your home. Often, reimagining the existing space in smart ways is enough to make your house more functional and a better fit for your family’s lifestyle. By strategically moving or removing walls or reallocating unused spaces, your current home can become your dream home!
Some people might tell you that you don’t really need an architect for a home remodel. While it’s true that some general contractors have the ability to draw up plans to submit to the city for approval, an architect is trained in space planning and a good architect will be able to come up with creative solutions that your or your general contractor may not have considered. Architects also tend to be very familiar with local building codes and will know what changes are possible, and which ones will never get past city plan checkers.
Finding the right architect is crucial to the success of your home remodeling project. Look for one who has completed projects similar in size and scope to the one you are hoping to complete. Once you find a few with the experience you are looking for, as well as a good reputation with past clients, set up initial phone calls or in-person meetings with them. You want to find a Long Beach architect with whom you can communicate well—one that listens to your thoughts and concerns, and explains things in ways you can understand.
The biggest or most popular architecture firm is not always the best fit. A small firm or an independent architect might be exactly what you’re looking for, so keep an open mind and consider all options.
