Get matched with top architects in Chatom, AL

Whether you’re building a new home or building an extension on your existing property, you will likely need both a structural engineer and an architect. A structural engineer will determine what loads your foundation and framing can safely handle, and an architect will draw plans according to those structural calculations to simplify the building process. You can start by contacting a structural engineer near you, as many work alongside architects and can get all of the prep work done at once.

Designs typically take 2-6 months, depending on factoring, project size, and customization needs. Larger or more complex designs may require additional time for approval and revisions.

British architect John Nash is credited with creating the Italianate style of architecture. The style was further popularized in the U.S. by landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing and architect Calvert Vaux. The style spread across the U.S. due to Downing’s popular book on the style and the availability of plans and materials due to the mass production of the Industrial Revolution.

In most cases, you don't need to hire an architect for a garage conversion. Your garage conversion contractor should have the skills and experience to help create your desired design. However, if the scope of the conversion is large and complex, and your budget allows, it's smart to hire an architect to oversee the design.