Homeowner lesson
Feasibility, budget, and structural assumptions should be on the table before design gets romantic.
The constraint
Additions look simple on paper until setbacks, rooflines, foundations, and existing conditions enter the room.
The path
Start with a compact feasibility phase, then decide whether architect-led design, residential design, or design-build delivery fits.
The homeowner lesson
Do not let beautiful schematic drawings outrun budget reality. The bill always catches up.