Architects, contractors, and designers, oh my!

At The Getter Group, we love when clients ask questions – because we know that real estate in Israel isn’t always straightforward.

For example, what exactly does an architect do? How is that different from a designer? Where does the contractor come in? And so on.

Before we dive into who’s who, let’s clear up a common misconception. Many people assume that hiring an architect only applies to those building their dream home from the ground up. But that’s not the case at all.

Even when you’re buying an “on-paper” property – one that hasn’t yet been built – you can often make meaningful changes long before construction is completed. Working with the project’s residential changes committee and an experienced architect, you can adjust the floor plan, layout, and functionality to better fit your family’s needs.

Buying on paper doesn’t mean you have to accept an apartment exactly “out of the box.” There’s often flexibility to reshape the space if you act early enough and know how to navigate the system – and that’s where a good architect becomes essential.

The same applies to secondhand properties, where renovations or reconfigurations can dramatically improve livability.

While we often think of architects as being involved only in major, ground-up construction, in reality their role is just as valuable for everyday buyers – whether you’re customizing an on-paper apartment with the developer’s contractor or transforming a secondhand home with your own contractor.

Before the first brick is laid, the architect is already hard at work. He or she designs the layout – where the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen will be – and makes sure your space feels open, balanced, and comfortable.

In Israel, that’s not always such an easy feat. Space (every centimeter of it) is precious. While many Israelis would consider a 2,000-square-foot (185 square meters) apartment palatial, quite a few olim (new immigrants) coming from the US would consider it barely adequate.

That’s why a good architect matters so much here – every bit of space is thought through. The architect can review the developer’s floor plan with your needs in mind.

That extra square footage in the entryway? Maybe it could be incorporated into the living room (salon, in Hebrew). The tiny kitchen? Perhaps it could be maximized by reconsidering the hallway space. And so on.

Architects are not just designing houses. They are making them into homes and preserving shalom bayit (domestic harmony) as well.

He wants a big dining room for guests. She wants a large kitchen.

He wants a home office/man cave. She wants a playroom.

The architect smiles, listens carefully, taking everything into account, and says: “Great! Just one small thing – do you also want to buy the apartment next door?”

Just kidding.

A capable architect prepares four sets of plans – layout, plumbing, electrical, and furniture – so by the time the contractor begins his work, everyone is in sync and there are no “Oh, we forgot the outlets” moments.

The architect thinks of everything ahead of time, making sure there is adequate space for beds and closets (because in Israel, they aren’t usually walk-in closets) and that all the doors will open without slamming into something else.

It’s important to hire an architect who understands your background, lifestyle, and requirements. A friend told me about a secondhand home he saw in central Israel where the developer’s architect had planned the spaces with young families in mind.

All the electrical outlets and light switches were at a perfect height for a child to access them. Oops! Not exactly what families with small children are looking for.

Can you picture little hands flicking on and off lights during Shabbat or bedtime? Too bad the architect didn’t understand that!

Another client was redoing the living and dining space in his Jerusalem apartment. He wanted a large living room space for entertaining, while his wife sought a spacious kitchen.

Here, the architect thoughtfully designed the kitchen with a sizable island bar that flowed into the living room to help accommodate both spouses’ requirements.

She also saw that she could incorporate an additional door – from the kitchen to the outside – which would improve the entrance and exit “traffic” of visitors at large gatherings as well.

Blueprints and mood boards are great. But someone still has to actually build the thing.

The contractor is the doer – the one who turns plans into walls and dreams into square meters.

The key is making sure that everyone is speaking the same “language” (both literally and figuratively). That’s where the architect’s blueprints keep the entire project on track.

Many architects or their project managers are at the construction site every day making sure that each tile is laid exactly, every fixture is installed properly, and every change is made exactly according to specifications.

This is needed in on-paper projects, where the developer’s contractors are the ones doing the work, and in secondhand renovations, where your own contractor is making the changes.

When choosing a contractor in Israel (this is relevant for renovations to secondhand properties), don’t rush. This is the person who will literally be building your dream.

Always start by asking to see past work and speaking to people who have used him. Make sure you know who will actually be on-site every day.

Ask the uncomfortable questions: What happens if there’s a delay? Who covers mistakes? Are you insured? And remember – a price that seems too good to be true usually is.

Choose professionalism over promises, and don’t ignore your instincts.

If something feels off, walk away before the cement is poured because the nightmare stories you hear are probably true.

A couple wanted to redo their patio but were on a tight budget. They found a contractor who offered a significantly lower price than many others.

They were nervous, but they felt that the risk was worth the savings. He directed them to order the tiles and other supplies. The crane came and dropped off the tiles, but the contractor never showed up. He had suddenly disappeared – back to Ukraine!

Not only did the couple end up having to hire a more expensive contractor, but they lost a number of weeks while they tried to figure out where their contractor had disappeared to and whom to try next.

Once the structure is built, the designer steps in to make it beautiful. But it’s not just about appearances – it’s about feel. What will make your house feel like home?

The designer learns your personal style – modern, classic, Italian, or minimalist – and translates it into materials, colors, and finishes.

Good designers won’t overwhelm you with choices. Instead, they will show you inspiration pictures and quietly decode your style from your reactions. They will ask to see photos of your past and current living spaces.

They understand that not everyone knows how to say, “I like mid-century modern with warm neutrals” (let alone understands that!), but everyone knows when they love what they see.

Lighting (numerous layers of it, too), flooring, textures, and tone – they all matter. A dark apartment can be made to look much brighter and airier with the right paint, lighting, and finishes.

A small apartment can be made to look more spacious with smart planning.

What worked in a home in the US may not make sense in Israel, where the climate, geography, and landscape are different. You may need different kinds of window treatments (think blinds, for example).

Or you may want to choose tones that reflect the natural beauty of the Judean Hills and materials that make sense under a hot desert sun.

The right design turns a decent apartment into a peace-of-mind home, a perfect getaway space, or the ideal rental to earn you income and keep your expenses down.

One of our clients kept saying that she and her husband wanted their apartment “to feel like Jerusalem” but couldn’t be more specific.

After meeting with a designer, they went with arched doorways, beige and brown tones for the furniture, gold accents, and pops of blue to evoke the sky. The results were stunning, and perfect for the couple who intended to retire here.

Meanwhile, another client was planning to use her apartment as a short-term rental. The designer helped her choose furniture and fixtures that were practical and would stand up to heavy use. Years – and many renters – later, these are all holding up quite well.

Behind every great home – and every wise investment – is a team of professionals working in harmony: The architect who plans it. The contractor who builds it. The designer who brings it to life.

Together, they turn bricks and blueprints into your dream – whether that dream is a cozy Jerusalem apartment or a sleek high-rise investment in Herzliya.

At The Getter Group, we coordinate all of it – the planning, the paperwork, and the peace of mind.

We work directly with the architects, contractors, and designers on your behalf, collaborating together to get the project done for you.

This way, you can enjoy the fun parts (like choosing the fixtures and finishings) while we take care of the residential changes committee, paperwork, and scheduling.

Because owning property in Israel isn’t just about buying walls. It’s about building your future – one smart step at a time.

For more information on how we can help you achieve your dream with confidence and peace of mind, call 058-318-0000 (in Israel) or 718-473-3950 (in the US), email contact@thegettergroup.com, or visit thegettergroup.com.

This article was written in cooperation with The Getter Group.