Beginning

Some factors to consider at the beginning of a project:

• The cost of the job; What is a realistic assessment of what the job will cost?
• The disruption of construction; Construction is disruptive, and how will this impact your daily routines?
• Bids: The least expensive bid may not be the best fit for the job.
• Schedule: The schedule may in fact be the most important factor in the construction process.
• The value of planning: Some small projects may not require an architect, though they might be improved by the planning process. Usually construction involves a significant investment in time and money, and it makes more sense to study an option for the first time in a sketch, before seeing it rise up in your backyard.