A large-scale remodel that makes drastic changes to a home's structure or increases its square footage with an addition is an ambitious undertaking.

Depending on the scale of a project, multiple contractors and specialty subcontractors may be involved. Beyond the trades absolutely necessary to a major renovation, such as general contractors, carpenters, electricians and plumbers, consider the benefit of hiring a home inspector, structural engineer or architect in conjunction with your contractors.

Even though hiring one of these professional specialties may cost you more upfront, they could potentially save you thousands by identifying problems, avoiding delays and ensuring your project is up to standard.

1. Home inspectors

Getting halfway through a major renovation only to find out your electrical system is subpar and needs a $10,000 upgrade is a financial setback, a major time delay and cause for frustration. So, before embarking on a major home renovation, thinking about calling a licensed home inspector.

A home inspector's trained eye can help you find out if there are existing problems with your home's electricity,  plumbing or roof before you invest in structural improvements. You may choose to fix existing problems before tackling your renovation or incorporate those repairs into the overall project. With knowledge of your current problems in hand, a contractor is more equipped to prepare a more accurate estimate of the project's cost and time lines.

2. Structural engineers.

If you're making any changes to a home's load-bearing structure, it's a good idea to hire a licensed structural engineer to work with you throughout the process. Before you renovate, you need assurances from a structural engineer that altering a home's roof, walls or foundation won't overburden the existing structure.

If you're building a new addition, a structural engineer's approval of the plan prior to working can alleviate costly delays later. The contractor you plan to hire may already employ a structural engineer. If not, or if you prefer the peace of mind an independent professional can provide, you may need to hire your own structural engineer to consult with your contractor and help guarantee that your renovation won't come with structural problems.

3. Architects

It may seem straightforward to just add a few rooms to a house or create a renovation from a simple plan. However, the details that make a house uniform may be lost when new construction is built without a licensed architect's expertise.

An architect can make sure the addition doesn't detract or clash with the current structure's style. Additionally, similar to a structural engineer, an architect can also review building plans to ensure they meet minimum safety and building standards.

An architect can increase the home's final value by ensuring that the new addition maximizes its space, agrees with the old structure in style and features and maximizes the value of the finished home. Architects can advise on the best materials, inside and out.

If you're ready to hire a general contractor in or around New York City to build the new space of your dreams, consider hiring one of these professionals to make the experience as pain-free as possible. Unsure of where to start? Search consumers' reviews on home improvement professionals like these by logging in to Angie's List.