Choosing an Architect – Guide with Tips
If you’re ready to start doing some remodeling or building, the architect you choose is crucial. If a person has a bad record, you will waste a lot of hard earned money for nothing. The first thing I would suggest doing is to talk to some of your neighbours or family and friends, see if they have anyone to recommend. If said architect has done some work for a person that recommends them, you can get a hands on example of their work by checking out what they did for your friends.
You also want to do your own research. Do a search for architect in your area. Pick up 3 – 5 that strike you the most, fire up your phone and give them a call. By talking to them you will get to know what kind of people they are. If you get poor treatment over the phone, there is a good chance you will not enjoy working with them in person. If the connection doesn’t exist, it’s a sign you should stay away.
Once you have your architect on the phone, tell them about your project, ask about their previous projects, ask what documents they need and what kind of approximate cost you would be looking at. If you had a nice chat with the architect over the phone, schedule an in person meeting.
You and your potential architect should go over the site analysis. Depending on your project, the site analysis can mean several things. It can be to figure out what the property could be used for, which part of the property to be used for what, where the property could go, etc.
Next you should go over design. Your architect will have an experience in programming preliminary designs and should be able to work around designs you have in your mind. Final design should match your personal preferences, cost and needs. The design in its final form is basically a sketch of your building. Your architect may ask you questions about the number of rooms you would like to have, as well as what each room will be used for so adequate space is allocated to each of the rooms.
The design development takes the programming into the next level. It involves important decisions, such as placements of windows, the layout of an interior, location of closets and everything else. Your architect will have to make sure that the construction documents include and comply with all local and national safety codes. This is their job, not yours. Architect may also assist you with building permits.
Let’s get back to choosing an architect, though, before we get too deeply into working with one. Two of the most essential information you need in order to choose right architect are their qualifications and fees. You should make sure the architect you are choosing possesses valid permits and certificates and make sure you are absolutely clear on all of their fees. Also enquire about payment methods – credit card payments are the most convenient and the safest from your standpoint and that’s the only important standpoint for a person in your position.
Different architects have different fee schedules. Some charge by the hour, some will quote you a grand total (lump sum) for all of their services, some will have their fee based on percentages of the total cost involved with your construction. Make sure you are clear on that and comfortable with what it ends up being (aka how much it will be all together).
Architect Fees
1. Lump Sum: Architects who charge a lump sum for their work will estimate a total cost on your project. Sometimes it is possible to negotiate with your architect, and you should really try, as architects are notorious for over-quoting by default. Whatever sum you agree on, you should also sign an agreement that regardless of over-charges that can occur within a time span of a large project, the total cost of architect’s services will not exceed the lump sum. Otherwise you may end up paying more than you anticipated.
2. Hourly Rate: Some architects charge per hour. If you agree to this type of payment schedule, you will be billed for each hour architects office spends on your project. Architects cover vast variety of tasks which could easily push the price to unlimited heights. If hourly rate fee schedule is agreed on, you should also insist on having a written contract with a “no exceed’ agreement.
3. Percentage of Construction: this type of fee schedule is based on the total cost of your project and your architect will charge a percentage of the project’s cost. Typical rate is 6%-10% for residential projects and 10%-13% for commercial ones. Rates however vary from one place to another and can also reflect current market trends.
Once you have verified architect’s portfolio and certification and have agreed on price, you can get started. Remember, though – construction works often end up being long term projects. Make sure you are 100% comfortable with your architect. You could be looking at extra expenses and a lot of headache if you neglect the most important part in architecture of your project – choosing right architect.
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