Get matched with top architects in your area

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.

There are differences between universal design and ADA accommodations, but the outcomes are often similar. While universal design is a proactive process that takes a social justice approach to accessibility for all, ADA accommodations are focused specifically on accessibility for individuals living with disabilities. ADA accommodations often take the shape of wider doors and hallways, ramps, elevators, lower counters and sinks, and easy-to-grab door handles; universal design can include these plus emphasize better lighting, tractioned floors, and other building elements that allow all people to use buildings more comfortably.

In most cases, you should hire a draftsperson for simpler projects like minor home renovations, and you should hire an architect for new construction, structural changes to your home, and large home add-ons. If you’re working on a larger project that demands an architect or structural engineer, your professional will often have a draftsperson on staff and include their services in your estimate.

You'll find Arts and Crafts homes across the country in varying styles. On the East Coast, bungalows and Tudor Revivals fill the Boston area through New Jersey. In the West, Mission-style homes incorporate terracotta shingles, white stucco siding, and rounded archways.