Using A Local Architect When Buying Your Crested Butte Home

People often underestimate the importance of using a local architect when buying your Crested Butte Home. Whether you are buying a home that you plan to renovate or buying a lot and building from scratch, a local architect will make a huge difference. Let me explain why I say there is nothing more important than using a local architect when buying your Crested Butte home.

Importance of Local Architect When Renovating

Crested Butte has many beautiful old homes that simply need a little updating. But renovating can be a big issues with some of the very old homes. It’s important to check the zoning and ordinances in your town; some may have a Historical District overlay, or stringent architectural guidelines. This is the reason that it is important that you are using a local architect when buying your Crested Butte home and going to renovate.

Many times you cannot tear down the home, but instead only remodel with tight specifications. This is a great reason to hire a local architect who knows the code and the approval committees. A local architect will shepherd your plans and designs through all the aspects of the architectural review/approval process with the HOA and the municipal building department review and permitting.

Importance of Local Architect When Building

Using a local Architect when buying your Crested Butte home also means they can help you buy a lot. Based on your criteria, an architect may have input on the area, and can help determine which lot would be less expensive to build on. Flat lots are typically less expensive; lots on a slope require more foundation and expensive concrete, but can provide some nice views, and walkout basement options.

They will then also help you with the actual design of the home. You may know someone who is an architect in Florida. That is great; they should be able to design a wonderful Florida home and know everything about hurricane design and construction.

But in the mountains, there are no hurricanes and you actually need the opposite for a good home design. For example, you will want to capture the solar gain instead of reducing it, and use materials that hold in that heat. And it is rare for a Crested Butte home to have air conditioning, for example so windows, airflow and the home orientation are important.

Snow load and snow shed are important to the engineering and design of your home. Snow shedding in front of windows, exterior doors, onto driveways, and onto decks is not good. Having a place to “store” snow when it is pushed off driveways, walks and decks is critical to the design of your Crested Butte Home.  Unfortunately, there are many homeowners that are living with the inconvenience of poor architectural design every winter.

In addition to the design aspects mentioned, local architects also know the good local builders, engineers, excavators, and interior designers. They also know where to source quality reclaimed timber, which can be important. Additionally, they can be the extra set of eyes and ears onsite as your home is being built. Since you will likely be building the home remotely, hire a local architect to ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable experience building your Crested Butte dream home. You will be glad you did.  

Remote Architect Story 

There is a house just up the street from my home that went through a bit of a challenging process after construction started. The owner hired an architect in his hometown of Portland, and the plans were drawn up, a builder was hired, and the building permits were issued.

The excavators started digging and they poured the concrete foundation of the home. After the foundation was in place, the adjacent homeowner came to town and was surprised to see the new construction started. This was a surprise because the HOA’s Architectural Review Committee had never seen the plans for the home. This meant they had not given approval for the design.

The owner could have avoided all of the above issues and saved a lot of money by working closely with a local architect with local knowledge of the design criteria and the local process.  

The Architectural Review Committee halted construction and started the review process. They rejected the plans! The adjacent neighbor’s view shed was going to be obstructed; there were issues with the building envelope, and the building height and the setbacks. The new design changed the home significantly, including a costly change to the foundation, but ultimately the home was built. The owner could have avoided all of the above issues and saved a lot of money by working closely with a local architect with local knowledge of the design criteria and the local process.  

Final Thoughts on the Using A Local Architect When Buying Crested Butte Home

If you have questions about which local architects you should consider – contact me directly to discuss.

I hope you see the level of detail and time and effort I put into this candid article Using A Local Architect When Buying Crested Butte Home. I have become a Top Real Estate Agent in Crested Butte by helping my clients to make informed decisions. This is representative of what you can expect from me as your agent.

If you would like to know my recommended local Architects and Contractors – Call me to discuss your specific home.

Thanks,
Chris.

How can I help you?

I have over 30 years of sales and marketing experience and am a top real estate agent in the mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado representing affluent clients who are buying and selling their homes and properties. To see featured properties or search the MLS – visit chriskopf.com.

How is the Crested Butte Market doing?  Click this link to see my monthly Crested Butte Real Estate Market Reports.

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Chris Kopf
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
(970) 209-5405, or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com