Tell us about your project
Why you need an architect before you need a contractor
Contractor quotes without drawings are not accurate quotes — they are educated guesses. Without a complete set of architectural and structural drawings, different contractors are pricing different things, and the lowest quote is often the one that has missed something important.
Foundation cost is invisible until you start
Every addition needs a foundation. Depending on soil conditions, frost depth, existing foundation type, and local code, foundation costs can range from $8,000 for a simple perimeter to $40,000+ for complex conditions. A structural engineer or geotechnical assessment may be required. Budget for this as a distinct line item, not an afterthought.
Roofline integration
Connecting a new addition to an existing roof is one of the most technically demanding parts of the project. The connection point is a common source of water infiltration if not properly detailed. This is one of the strongest arguments for getting full architectural drawings — a skilled architect will detail this connection clearly before any contractor prices it.
Setbacks, FAR, and zoning
Zoning rules limit how much you can build. Setbacks dictate how close you can build to property lines. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limits total building square footage relative to lot size. In dense urban areas especially, these limits can significantly constrain what is achievable before a shovel goes in the ground.