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Safeguarding lives through robust building design
🏗️ Pitfall #4: Hidden Construction Costs Leading to Sticker Shock
What homeowners don’t see coming—and how to plan for it One of the biggest shocks homeowners experience during a building or remodeling project is realizing how fast costs escalate. You start with a budget, but suddenly you’re looking at quotes that are thousands of...
🏗️ Why You Need a Structural Engineer for Residential Projects (Even “Simple” Ones)
When it comes to residential construction—whether it’s a deck, garage addition, or home remodel—one question comes up more often than you'd expect: "Do I really need a structural engineer for this?" The short answer is: Yes. And here’s why. 🔍 Safety Starts with...
⚠️ What Is Plan Stamping? Why It’s Illegal—and How It Can Derail Your Project
Have you heard of “plan stamping”? If not, you’re not alone—but this shady shortcut is a growing problem in the building industry, and it can jeopardize your entire project. Recently, I received an email that raised major red flags. The subject? Fast-tracking permit...
Pitfall #3: Residential Home Design Mistakes: How Lack of Style Can Derail Your Dream Build
Imagine pouring your time, money, and energy into a custom home—only to end up with something that doesn’t even feel like you. That’s the risk of one of the most common residential home design mistakes: a lack of style or cohesion. And unfortunately, it’s more common...
Pitfall #2: Skipping Building Permit Requirements for Custom Homes
What Happens If You Don’t Get a Permit? Why Planning Ahead Is Critical for Custom Home Builds When you're ready to build or remodel, it’s tempting to just get going. But skipping one crucial step—getting the proper building permits—can cost you big. In fact, ignoring...
Why Hiring an Architect Is the Key to a Successful Construction Project
At Essential Pillar Architecture, we often hear this misconception: that hiring an architect is just an extra cost—a formality to get a set of drawings before the “real work” begins. But here’s what many clients don’t realize: The architect you hire doesn’t just...