At Artisans Group, we work with an array of specialists who are involved in the various steps along the path to building a house.
As your architect, we act as a conductor, guiding the process and coordinating all the different players. When you work with us, you also work with the specialists who we trust with various parts of your project.
We know that excellent execution is 90 percent of a project. We know when to call in a specialist and which one to call. We also know who we like to work with and what it will be like to work with them.
Let’s get you acquainted with the experts who make architectural plans into actual structures:
General Contractor
The general contractor or GC coordinates and oversees an entire construction project. You need a GC when the project involves multiple subcontractors and would benefit from a point person to keep track of all the details. Note that most, but not all, projects need a GC.
The GC will deal with things such as scheduling, codes and regulations, and materials. They also ensure that a project stays within scope and on budget.
Civil Engineer
The civil engineer deals with everything on the site except the structure. They’re in charge of the surveyor who executes the site survey, identifies obstacles, labels boundaries, and creates the legal limits of the site.
They’re also responsible for assessing elevation and drainage to mitigate pooling of water near buildings, determining the size of a rainwater system, designing drainage and sewage routes, designing parking, and more.
Structural Engineer
The structural engineer determines the exact materials that are needed to bring architectural drawings to life. They design load paths to distribute the weight of the structure. They also work on seismic design and ensure that the building can withstand winds, snowstorms, and other weather events.
And they’re our lifeline when it comes to making the more eclectic parts of our drawings a reality; if we draw in an unusual angle or soaring feature, the structural engineer figures out which posts, beams, and framing will make it work in the real world.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineers
MEPs know everything about a structure’s internal mechanical systems. They know the right size HVAC system to put in a home, so it won’t go into a short cycling mode, and make sure the structure is heated and cooled properly with good airflow but that the electrical system will have enough power for the energy needs of the entire house, including fixtures, outlets, and specialty equipment.
Similarly, they design a plumbing system that delivers enough water, with enough water pressure, to every part of the house — even a third-floor shower.
Interior Designer
When we refer to interior design, we mean the curation and selection (and sometimes oversight of the installation of) textiles and other materials, colors, small fixtures, and furnishings.
The interior designer will work closely with your architect to fully conceptualize a space. At Artisans Group, we offer this service in house.
Cabinet Designer
A cabinet designer takes a number of factors into consideration to create storage space, typically in a kitchen.
These factors include the inspiration and goals of the client, the space itself, plumbing and electrical considerations, and budget. Cabinet renderings include fine-tuned storage plans — to take advantage of every nook and cranny — sizing, and hardware. Once the plan is complete, a cabinet maker will take the plans and make high-quality cabinets to exact specifications.
Landscape Architect
The landscape architect designs the plantings and outdoor infrastructure surrounding the building, creating context for the building. They influence the approach to the structure and shape the way it looks from different vantage points.
Working with the architect and the general contractor, they choose foliage, trees, and grasses that make the site feel more intentional as a whole. Using their knowledge of plants, they can create or shore up privacy, support maintenance outcomes, and make the approach to the site a pleasurable extension of the house. A good landscape design can make an ordinary site extraordinary.
Cost Estimator
For commercial projects, we also bring in a cost estimator or value engineer. (In residential projects, this role is filled by the general contractor.) This is the expert who breaks down a project, line by line, and estimates the cost — right down to the dollar.
The estimated cost makes a huge impact on the project. It helps us figure out how to proceed and still stay on budget. It helps us talk to our clients about cost-saving measures, like cutting square footage or swapping materials in a way that still meets design requirements and dreams.
With an accurate cost estimate, we’re able to help our clients make important decisions early in the process, which gives them more control over the final structure. An inaccurate cost estimate can lead to painful decisions down the road, like having to settle for inferior finishes because the kitchen became too large for the budget.
Start With The Architect
If you work with Artisans Group from the start, it will mitigate the headache of looking for your own subcontractors and ensure a productive and positive working relationship between you and the people building on your house. It will also make the steps to building a house more manageable and the design more fully yours.
Posted on February 01, 2025
