You want to build or renovate a property in Chamonix? Contacting an architect can be a solution to help you to concretize your project. His role will be to help you by taking into account your wishes and desires. He will know how to combine your specifications with your budget. An architect proposes tailor made solutions , for a personalized property, to adapt to your desires and your way of life. He will take care of everything and of you ! Elaboration of the plans, reception of the works, request of building permit. He will advise you on the choice of materials, negotiate with the companies and follow the work while respecting the deadlines.
To call upon an architect: a security for your construction
When you contact an architect, the first step is to define your project. Detailing your wishes as much as possible and being transparent about your budget will allow him to make proposals that meet your expectations. Your way of life can also influence the composition of your future real estate and the architect will take it into account while informing you about the time which will be necessary to carry out the construction or the renovation.
The title of architect is regulated and recognized by a state diploma. This professional, by engaging with you, also engages his responsibility. As such, he is covered by his insurance. He is also obliged to submit to you estimates of several competing companies and you will be able to choose those which are appropriate to you in the light of his advice.
Establish a contract with your architect
Once the specifications are established, the architect can submit a contract proposal with two payment methods: fixed price and percentage. The contract must specify the amount of his fees as well as the method of payment. This includes the cost of the work, the complexity and the scope of the mission.
The lump sum payment allows you to fix a price when your program is well defined. The amount of the fee is known before the work begins. The percentage fee is used when the construction project is not sufficiently precise at the beginning.
The plans and studies to have a rendering
The architect's role will be to draw up plans and sketches. This allows to specify the general conception and to have a global idea of what will be the future real estate. The studies indicate the course of the works. The architect will have the obligation to provide you with plans of levels, section and elevation, descriptive notes, detailed planning as well as the cost. Also included in this file are descriptions of the materials used and the companies employed.At the end of each study phase, the documents transmitted by the architect must correspond to your expectations and be validated by you.
Signing your contract : the beginning of the work
In order to sign your contract in good conditions, it is necessary that everything is in accordance with the standards and respects the requests of the purchaser. The precise plan of the work, the commitment on the delivery date and the penalties in case of delay must be included in your contract. For a new construction, it is also necessary to stipulate in the contract the connection works to the city water, gas, electricity and sanitation networks. The architect makes sure to present you a contract in due form and to mention the companies per work lot. They are chosen for their skills, their availability and their prices.
Subscribe to the damage insurance
It is very important to know that before starting the work, the subscription to the damage insurance is essential. It allows you to benefit from financing in case of default of one of the companies. This insurance is a complementary security to the companies' ten-year guarantees.
Final stage : the beginning of the work
Once the estimates are transmitted and the agreement signed between you and your architect, the work can begin. The architect's role will be to manage the construction site and to ensure the good realization of the construction. He will have an obligation to keep you regularly informed of the progress by means of reports. Once the house is completed, all that remains is for you to take your place in your new apartment or chalet in Chamonix !
