Dream Team for a Dream Home

A first timer's guide to the design team

So you’ve decided you want to build a house. Or a commercial building. Or anything larger than a shed, really. You probably began by typing “contractor near me” into Google or your favorite search engine/AI. The contractor is very important, as they coordinate the subcontractors to perform the hammer swinging that makes your project a reality. But how do the contractors know where to apply the proverbial hammer?

You need some design professionals on your team to make sure that your project is designed properly according to the building code, your contractor has the information they need to make a bid, and you get a building that functions properly.

Depending on the size of your project, there are a minimum of six essential professionals to have on your team when building your project.

The Dream Team

1. Surveyor – The surveyor is crucial in mapping out your plot of land, finding how the land is currently graded, and discovering any easements, water lines, sewer lines, or other buried factors that will affect building and utility placement.

2. Civil engineer – The civil engineer places your building properly on the site, and ties civil infrastructure like water and sewer from the public provider to your specific project. The civil engineer also designs the grading of your site to direct water away from the project and into the storm sewer system, and can help navigate the permitting process at city hall.

3. Architect/designer – The architect helps design your new building by finding a synthesis between your personal taste, current building codes, and city requirements. A good architectural set should include floor and roof plans (with dimensions), elevations, wall sections, window and door schedules, and architectural details.

4. Geotechnical engineer – The "geotech" drills borings at your lot to determine the type of soils you have, and suggests foundation types and design values to the structural engineer by issuing a soil report.

5. Structural engineer - The structural engineer designs your foundation and framing in conjunction with the architect/designer, the civil engineer’s grading plan, and the geotechnical engineer’s soil report.

6. MEP engineer - For larger residences or commercial buildings, a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer is recommended for properly sizing HVAC, electrical inputs/outputs, and the plumbing system.

Honorable Mentions (depending on your project size):

• Landscape architect – chooses plants and provides design and instructions on irrigation networks, site layout, plant and tree arrangement, and plant care.

• Interior designer - determines how to express your vision through finishes, fixtures, and furniture.

Download:

Dream Team for a Dream Home Checklist.pdf

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