Introduction
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 (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: Most, but not all, projects need a GC.
Responsibilities include:
Scheduling construction phases
Managing codes and regulations
Overseeing materials procurement
Ensuring the project stays within scope and on budget
Civil Engineer
The civil engineer deals with everything on the site except the structure itself.
They’re in charge of the surveyor, who executes the site survey, identifies obstacles, labels boundaries, and creates the legal limits of the site.
Responsibilities include:
Assessing elevation and drainage to prevent water pooling near buildings
Determining rainwater system size
Designing drainage and sewage routes
Planning parking layouts and access
Structural Engineer
The structural engineer determines the materials needed to bring architectural drawings to life.
They design load paths to distribute structural weight, manage seismic design, and ensure the building can withstand winds, snowstorms, and other weather events.
They’re our lifeline when it comes to making the more eclectic parts of our drawings a reality.
If we draw 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)
MEPs are experts in a structure’s internal mechanical systems.
Mechanical (HVAC):
Determine correct HVAC size to avoid short cycling
Ensure balanced heating, cooling, and airflow
Electrical:
Design electrical systems with sufficient power for the home’s energy needs
Include fixtures, outlets, and specialty equipment
Plumbing:
Design systems that deliver adequate water pressure to all areas
Ensure functionality for all fixtures — even upper-story showers
Interior Designer
When we refer to interior design, we mean the curation and selection (and sometimes oversight of installation) of textiles, materials, colors, small fixtures, and furnishings.
The interior designer works closely with the architect to fully conceptualize a space.
At Artisans Group, we offer this service in-house.
Cabinet Designer
A cabinet designer creates functional and beautiful storage spaces — typically in a kitchen.
Considerations include:
Client inspiration and goals
Room dimensions and spatial flow
Plumbing and electrical constraints
Budget and materials
Deliverables include:
Fine-tuned storage plans for maximum utility
Detailed sizing and hardware specifications
Once complete, a cabinet maker fabricates high-quality cabinets to exact specifications.
Landscape Architect
The landscape architect designs the plantings and outdoor infrastructure surrounding the building, creating context for the structure.
They influence the approach to the house and shape how it appears from different vantage points.
Working with the architect and general contractor, they select foliage, trees, and grasses that make the site feel intentional as a whole.
Their expertise helps:
Enhance or create privacy
Support maintenance outcomes
Extend the aesthetic experience of the home into the landscape
A well-designed landscape can transform an ordinary site into something extraordinary.
Cost Estimator
For commercial projects, we bring in a cost estimator or value engineer.
(For residential projects, this role is filled by the general contractor.)
This expert breaks down a project line by line, estimating costs down to the dollar.
Why cost estimation matters:
Informs budget planning and project feasibility
Enables early cost-saving adjustments
Guides decisions about square footage, materials, and finishes
An accurate cost estimate helps clients make empowered, early decisions — maintaining control over the project outcome.
An inaccurate estimate can result in difficult trade-offs later, such as scaling back finishes or features due to budget overruns.
Start With The Architect
If you work with Artisans Group from the start, it will:
Mitigate the headache of finding and vetting subcontractors
Ensure productive, positive relationships among all team members
Make the steps to building a house more manageable
Help ensure the final design is fully yours
© Artisans Group Architecture + Planning — Sustainable Architecture, Passive House, and Passive Building Design Experts
Posted on February 01, 2025
