---
title: blog on modern architecture, design, development and modative happenings | single family homes
description: single family homes | A blog on modern architecture, design, development and modative happenings
---

[![Modative](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-2141536784-gif/26-Nov-modative/modative-logo.gif "Modative")](https://www.modative.com/)

a modern design build firm

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### [![modern architecture blog](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-14186350-jpg/images/modern-architects-blog-la.jpg)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/)

a blog about modern architecture, design, development + modative happenings

 

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# design build blog

## [The 4 Biggest Problems People Encounter When Hiring a Residential Architect](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/the-4-biggest-problems-people-encounter-when-hiring-a-residential-architect)

 Posted by [Derek Leavitt](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/author/derek-leavitt) on Mon, Jun 26, 2017 @ 09:06 AM

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![01 hire residential architect los angeles wait.png](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/01%20hire%20residential%20architect%20los%20angeles%20wait.png?width=502&name=01%20hire%20residential%20architect%20los%20angeles%20wait.png)

When it comes to property selection for your new home:

| **When it comes to property selection for your new home:**   1. Local zoning codes are often not clear or readily available. 2. Real Estate Agents are not always a reliable source of information. Property feasibility and construction are not their expertise. 3. Site factors such as topography, utility connections and environmental issues require an expert to fully understand. Avoid purchasing a property where you can’t build what you want. | ![study-model-above-12.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/study-model-above-12.jpg?width=200&name=study-model-above-12.jpg) |
| --- | --- |

![Get a residential architect on board early.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Get%20a%20residential%20architect%20on%20board%20early.jpg?width=499&name=Get%20a%20residential%20architect%20on%20board%20early.jpg)

| 1. Don’t wait until you have secured a property to find your architect. A quick phone call with your architect when you think you've found the right property can help avoid some major pitfalls. 2. [Request a feasibility study](https://www.modative.com/request-an-estimate-modern-architect-los-angeles). At Modative we provide this type of report all the time, detailing the zoning regulations and analyzing what can be built before you make a purchase. [Modative is available to help you find the ideal property for your project](https://www.modative.com/contact-modative) | ![Pettis Completion-16.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pettis%20Completion-16.jpg?width=234&height=156&name=Pettis%20Completion-16.jpg) |
| --- | --- |

 

 

![02 hire residential architect los angeles budget.png](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/02%20hire%20residential%20architect%20los%20angeles%20budget.png?width=464&name=02%20hire%20residential%20architect%20los%20angeles%20budget.png)

| **Why is budgeting properly for a new home so difficult?**   1. There are so many unknowns. How much does an architect cost? What engineers do I need to hire? How much should I allocate for construction costs and permit fees? 2. Architects love to tell clients that they will save them money on construction. The problem is that most of them don't. It's not their fault really. It's just that traditionally, architects have little control over or knowledge of current construction costs. If you don’t have a proper budget near the start of a home design project you are bound to have cost overruns and expensive surprises. | ![residential construction budget solution.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/residential%20construction%20budget%20solution.jpg?width=234&height=154&name=residential%20construction%20budget%20solution.jpg) |
| --- | --- |

 

![Residential Construction Budget Design Build Solution.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Residential%20Construction%20Budget%20Design%20Build%20Solution.jpg?width=520&name=Residential%20Construction%20Budget%20Design%20Build%20Solution.jpg) 

| Modative’s design/build delivery provides our clients with a one-stop-shop. By acting as the architect, contractor and controlling all the necessary consultants, the entire team is brought onto the project early so the design can be carefully worked out to meet the budget. This method offers the following advantages:   1. Cost-effective design due to the Architect's access to construction and pricing information during the design phases 2. Detailed budgets delivered throughout the process 3. Reduced likelihood of cost increases or overruns 4. Familiarizes the entire design and construction team with the project early on, so there are less surprises during construction | ![solution residential architect vertical integration contractor-1.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solution%20residential%20architect%20vertical%20integration%20contractor-1.jpg?width=184&name=solution%20residential%20architect%20vertical%20integration%20contractor-1.jpg) |
| --- | --- |

![los angeles residential architect vertically integrated design build.jpg](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/hubfs/los%20angeles%20residential%20architect%20vertically%20integrated%20design%20build.jpg?width=640&name=los%20angeles%20residential%20architect%20vertically%20integrated%20design%20build.jpg)

 

[Read more](https://www.modative.com/download-guide-the-4-biggest-problems-people-encounter-when-hiring-a-residential-architect-los-angeles)

 

[![Download the Free  Four Problems Guide Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/41216/c4cd2ddb-a4a2-49dc-b4cd-8d9a7506d34e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/41216/c4cd2ddb-a4a2-49dc-b4cd-8d9a7506d34e)

 

[Modative](https://www.modative.com/) is a Los Angeles based residential architecture firm that specializes in [single family homes](https://www.modative.com/the-4-biggest-problems-people-encounter-when-hiring-a-residential-architect-los-angeles), [small lot subdivision](https://www.modative.com/small-lot-subdivision-guide-download), [accessory dwelling units](https://www.modative.com/los-angeles-accessory-dwelling-units-adus-granny-flats), [apartments and condos](https://www.modative.com/projects).

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