Popular Mechanics (via MSN.com’s Real Estate pages) offers some advice to homeowners planning on remodeling their homes: architects are worth the money. The magazine asserts that an architect can be a valuable addition to large remodeling projects for five reasons: their vision; their familiarity with building codes, structural requirements, and the permitting process; their ability to hire and interact with contractors and then direct the project; and their knowledge of sustainable practices. Read the article.