liments yours. For example, if you don't want to be involved in the process, is the architect and independent worker who doesn't mind complete control? Or, if you do want to be involved in the process, is the architect willing to include you?

• Whether the architects taste and your taste are similar.

• How much knowledge the arch

Are you up for the challenge of designing your own home? If you have the time and experience, then maybe you are. Otherwise, you may want to consider hiring an architect. Whether you want an architect to modify a stock home to better suit your needs, or whether you want him or her to design a home from scratch based on your vision, an architect can add value to your home building experience. While it may seem like an added cost in the beginning, the experience an architect brings to the table, coupled with the fact that using one often saves time, can save you money in the long run.

Architects are a dime a dozen. Just pick up the phone book and you'll see what we mean. However, the perfect architect for you is a little harder to find. So how do you find one that will perfectly suit your needs?

• When you see homes that appeal to you, find out who the architect was. Or ask friends whose homes you like for recommendations.

• Surf the web. Try the American Institute of Architects, www.aia.com, for qualified architects in your area.

Once you've narrowed down your search and found a few architects whose design abilities appeal to you, let the interview process begin. During this process you'll want to find out:

• The cost of the architect.

• If the architects personality compliments yours. For example, if you don't want to be involved in the process, is the architect and independent worker who doesn't mind complete control? Or, if you do want to be involved in the process, is the architect willing to include you?

• Whether the architects taste and your taste are similar.

• How much knowledge the archi

ect can add value to your home building experience. While it may seem like an added cost in the beginning, the experience an architect brings to the table, coupled with the fact that using one often saves time, can save you money in the long run.

Architects are a dime a dozen. Just pick up the phone book and you'll see what we mean. However, the perfect architect for you is a little harder to find. So how do you find one that will perfectly suit your needs?

• When you see homes that appeal to you, find out who the architect was. Or ask friends whose homes you like for recommendations.

• Surf the web. Try the American Institute of Architects, www.aia.com, for qualified architects in your area.

Once you've narrowed down your search and found a few architects whose design abilities appeal to you, let the interview process begin. During this process you'll want to find out:

• The cost of the architect.

• If the architects personality compliments yours. For example, if you don't want to be involved in the process, is the architect and independent worker who doesn't mind complete control? Or, if you do want to be involved in the process, is the architect willing to include you?

• Whether the architects taste and your taste are similar.

• How much knowledge the arch

ever, the perfect architect for you is a little harder to find. So how do you find one that will perfectly suit your needs?

• When you see homes that appeal to you, find out who the architect was. Or ask friends whose homes you like for recommendations.

• Surf the web. Try the American Institute of Architects, www.aia.com, for qualified architects in your area.

Once you've narrowed down your search and found a few architects whose design abilities appeal to you, let the interview process begin. During this process you'll want to find out:

• The cost of the architect.

• If the architects personality compliments yours. For example, if you don't want to be involved in the process, is the architect and independent worker who doesn't mind complete control? Or, if you do want to be involved in the process, is the architect willing to include you?

• Whether the architects taste and your taste are similar.

• How much knowledge the arch

ef="http://www.aia.com">www.aia.com, for qualified architects in your area.

Once you've narrowed down your search and found a few architects whose design abilities appeal to you, let the interview process begin. During this process you'll want to find out:

• The cost of the architect.

• If the architects personality compliments yours. For example, if you don't want to be involved in the process, is the architect and independent worker who doesn't mind complete control? Or, if you do want to be involved in the process, is the architect willing to include you?

• Whether the architects taste and your taste are similar.

• How much knowledge the arch

liments yours. For example, if you don't want to be involved in the process, is the architect and independent worker who doesn't mind complete control? Or, if you do want to be involved in the process, is the architect willing to include you?

• Whether the architects taste and your taste are similar.

• How much knowledge the architect has when it comes to your home's location. An architect who knows how to handle the local bureaucracy is a treasure indeed!