Building Your First House: A Friendly Guide from Your Architect

Designing and building your first home is a little like getting married and running a marathon—at the same time. You’ll be exhilarated, exhausted, and occasionally wondering why you signed up for this. But when done right, it’s one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.

As your architect, our job is to guide you through the process so you don’t feel like you’re speaking a foreign language (“What do you mean, the soffit is too shallow?”).

Let’s break down who does what—architect, builder, and you—so you know what to expect.

1. What the Architect Does (That’s us!)

Think of LVL as your home’s vision translator. You tell us how you live, what you dream about, and maybe a few things you absolutely can’t stand (shag carpet, anyone?). Our job is to take all that and turn it into a functional, beautiful, buildable design.

Here’s what we’ll handle:

• Designing the layout and look of your home – We’ll figure out the floor plan, exterior appearance, and the overall vibe, whether that’s “sleek modern” or “grandma’s farmhouse but make it cool.”

• Making sure it works in real life – we balance beauty with practical realities like structural requirements, energy efficiency, building codes, and your budget.

• Creating the construction drawings – These are the detailed instructions your builder will follow. Think of them as your home’s recipe book (though, depending on the level of service you hire us for, the amount of spices may be limited).

• Coordinating with engineers and consultants – Structural engineer, interior designer, maybe even a landscape architect—it’s our job to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

• Helping during construction – we answer builder questions, clarify design details, and occasionally save you from a “what were we thinking?” moment.

What we don’t do:

• Swing a hammer. (You do not want us doing that.)

• Decide everything without you. This is your home—we design it together.

2. What the Builder Does

If I’m the one who dreams it up, the builder is the one who makes it real. Builders are the project managers and construction experts who turn drawings into walls, roofs, and countertops you can actually touch.

Here’s what they handle:

• Scheduling and managing trades – Electricians, plumbers, framers, painters—your builder is the conductor of this orchestra.

• Ordering materials – From lumber to tile to the door handles, they get the stuff to the site at the right time.

• Keeping the work on track – They coordinate timelines, budgets, and quality control.

• Problem-solving in the field – Sometimes things pop up—like a hidden rock the size of a car where your basement should be—and the builder figures out a solution.

What they don’t do:

• Reimagine the design without telling anyone.

• Act as your personal decorator (unless that’s part of their service).

3. What You (The Homeowner) Do

Yes, you have homework. You are the decision-maker and the dream keeper. You’ll guide the vision, approve designs, and keep everyone aligned with your goals.

Here’s what you’ll handle:

• Defining your needs and budget – Be honest and clear from the start. Your “must-haves” list will shape every decision.

• Making timely decisions – Cabinet styles, paint colors, flooring… these choices need to happen on schedule to keep construction moving.

• Communicating openly – If you change your mind about something, tell us right away. Last-minute changes can cost time and money.

• Trusting the process – There will be messy, awkward phases when your house looks like a disaster zone. That’s normal.

What you shouldn’t do:

• Micromanage the tradespeople (“Hey, could you move that stud an inch to the left?”).

• Disappear for months and then come back with a totally different vision.

The Golden Triangle of Homebuilding

For a smooth process, remember: Architect + Builder + Homeowner = Team. When each of us understands our role, communicates clearly, and respects each other’s expertise, the experience is far more enjoyable.

And when we hit the inevitable bumps—because, let’s face it, building a house is a complicated human endeavor—we’ll navigate them together without losing our sense of humor.

Because if you can laugh when your driveway pour gets delayed by a rogue squirrel chewing the concrete formwork, you’re going to love your new home that much more.