Do I Need an Architect to Remodel My Home in St. Louis, MO?

Do You Need an Architect to Remodel Your Home in St. Louis, MO?

Unless you’re undergoing an addition, new construction, or making structural changes, you do not need to work with an architect unless you desire to.

However, you will require design drawings, or plan blueprints, if you’re undergoing a major remodel in most counties. For instance, basement finishing, kitchen remodels, and bathroom remodels typically require drawings to be shown to the building department, but these do not need to come from an architect.

Design drawings can be produced by anybody as long as they showcase the proper building codes that will be adhered to. For instance, finishing a basement typically requires plans that showcase proper fire-blocking and insulation. But again, these do not need to come from an architect or structural engineer.

The exception comes when you wish to perform structural changes during a remodel, such as taking out a load-bearing wall. In such an event, you and/or your contractor will want to coordinate with a structural engineer and/or architect that is registered with the state of Missouri.

From Whom Can You Get Design Drawings for Permits?

Your permits may require that you obtain design drawings showcasing the remodeling plan. Unless specifically mentioned that you need to obtain sealed drawings such as when making structural changes, then these drawings can come from anyone capable of producing such drawings.

For instance, we are a kitchen and bathroom contractor that produces these drawings in-house. This saves you money, as we do not charge extra for drawings, and we do not have to outsource the production of these drawings.

If you are searching for a home remodeling contractor and reside within the Greater St. Louis Area, we would be thrilled to have you reach out to us!

Should You Hire an Architect to Oversee Your Project?

Architects have an exceptional level of understanding of home construction. This means that they will catch things that others won’t. This results in a greater probability of your project turning out the way you want it without many hiccups.

The downside to working with an architect is that your budget may not allow the cost associated with them. Often time, hiring an architect to develop remodeling plans is overkill, and you can save money by working with a contractor who can develop design drawings in-house, such as us.

It’s Getting Late, Let’s Conclude

Structural changes, new construction, and additions require sealed drawings. These sealed drawings can be produced by a registered structural engineer or registered architect.

Home remodels that don’t change a home’s structure do not require sealed drawings, but still require drawings in most cases. These drawings can be produced by any individual capable of performing such a task. These will allow the building department to sign off on your remodel, and also allow tradespeople to reference them while performing their work.

I hope this article has answered your questions, and should you reside in the St. Louis, MO area and are considering a home remodel, please reach out to us!