Working with pros

Architects, designers, and engineers — when you need them

Staff

02 May 2025 — 4 min read

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

When you’re planning a home project, you might need more than a contractor. You might need a professional who designs the project, ensures it’s structurally sound, and complies with code. Architects, engineers, and designers all serve different purposes. Understanding who does what helps you hire the right person and spend money wisely on professional design before construction even starts.

Architects

An architect designs buildings and oversees construction. For residential projects, architects handle complex renovations and new construction. They create detailed drawings that contractors follow. They ensure the design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They verify that the design complies with building codes and zoning regulations. They manage the design process through multiple revisions until you’re satisfied. They oversee construction to ensure contractors follow the design.

You need an architect for a large-scale renovation that fundamentally changes your home. A kitchen remodel adding a wall or changing the roof line benefits from an architect’s drawings. New construction obviously requires an architect. An addition to your home needs an architect to ensure it integrates properly and meets code. A smaller project like painting or replacing windows probably doesn’t need an architect.

Structural Engineers

A structural engineer ensures that walls, beams, and loads are safe. When you remove a load-bearing wall, you need a structural engineer to design a beam to carry the load safely. When you’re adding a second story, a structural engineer ensures the foundation and framing can handle it. If you’re making major changes to your home’s structure, a structural engineer provides the calculations and specifications that ensure everything is safe.

You don’t need a structural engineer for routine maintenance or cosmetic changes. You do need one if you’re modifying the structure. Many architects will coordinate with a structural engineer on their team, so you don’t need to hire separately.

Interior Designers

An interior designer plans the interior layout, aesthetics, and finishes. They help you choose colors, materials, and fixtures that work well together. They optimize the layout so your spaces function properly. They source materials and furnishings. They might provide perspective drawings so you can visualize the space before work begins.

An interior designer is helpful for large projects where aesthetics matter and you want professional input. They’re useful if you’re uncertain about design choices and don’t want to live with regrets. For small projects or if you have clear design ideas, you might not need a designer. You can consult a designer for specific questions without hiring them full-time.

MEP Engineers

MEP stands for mechanical, electrical, plumbing. MEP engineers design the systems in your home. For a large renovation or new construction, an MEP engineer designs where electrical circuits go, where plumbing lines run, where HVAC ducts route, and how all systems integrate. The architect or general contractor typically coordinates with MEP engineers.

You probably won’t hire an MEP engineer directly. The general contractor or architect will coordinate with them if needed. For simple projects without major system changes, you don’t need MEP engineers.

When You Need Design Professionals

For a complex renovation adding walls, changing the roof line, removing load-bearing walls, or significantly changing your home’s layout, hire an architect. For structural changes, coordinate with a structural engineer. For large kitchens or baths where aesthetics matter significantly, consider an interior designer.

For a modest kitchen remodel without structural changes, a good contractor and designer consultation might be enough. For a single room refresh, you probably don’t need an architect. For a basic addition with standard design, an architect might be less critical, though some jurisdictions require them for permitted work.

When You Can Skip Professional Design

For projects using standard layouts and materials without structural changes, professional design might not be necessary. If you have clear ideas about what you want, you might not need a designer to guide you. For simple, defined projects with clear scope, a contractor’s expertise alone might suffice. If your budget is very limited, you can reduce design costs by being very clear about what you want and having the contractor price it out.

Cost of Design Professionals

Architects typically charge 5 to 15 percent of the project cost as their fee. For a $50,000 kitchen remodel, that’s $2,500 to $7,500. For a $150,000 addition, that’s $7,500 to $22,500. Some architects charge hourly rates instead of percentages, typically $100 to $300 per hour depending on their experience.

Structural engineers charge $500 to $2,000 for simple calculations or drawings, or they might charge a percentage of the project cost for larger work.

Interior designers typically charge hourly rates ($50 to $150 per hour) or a percentage of the materials they source.

These costs seem high, but they often save money during construction. A well-designed project moves faster, has fewer changes, and avoids costly mistakes. Professional drawings prevent the “we’ll figure it out as we go” approach that blows budgets.

When Design Pays for Itself

Good design catches problems before construction starts. If a designer or architect realizes that your original plan won’t work, you fix it on paper for free, not during construction when fixes are expensive. Professional drawings mean contractors understand exactly what you want, reducing misunderstandings and changes. A designer’s selection of coordinated materials and finishes looks more polished than DIY selection, which adds perceived value to your home.

An architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes like undersizing electrical service, forgetting about ventilation, or creating flow problems in your layout. The cost of their design work is easily recovered in eliminated mistakes and changes.

Finding Design Professionals

Ask for recommendations from contractors, other homeowners, or your real estate agent. Review portfolios of previous work. Check their experience with projects similar to yours. Understand their process and how they charge. Get references from past clients. Discuss your timeline and budget. Interview multiple professionals before deciding.

Working with Design Professionals

Be clear about your vision, budget, and timeline. Discuss what’s included in their fees. Agree on how many revision rounds are included. Establish a review and approval process. Provide feedback promptly so the design process moves forward. Ask questions if you don’t understand something. Expect to pay at least partial fees upfront, with the balance due as work is completed.

The Reality

Design professionals add cost to your project upfront. But they typically save money during construction through better planning, fewer mistakes, and clearer execution. For complex projects, they’re essential. For simple projects, they might be optional. For medium-complexity work, consulting a professional for specific questions is a reasonable middle ground. Think of design fees as insurance against expensive mistakes.