You’re ready to start your next project. What should you do first? Whether your project is a home remodel, office renovation, or new construction, you will likely need an architect for the project.
But do I really need an architect?
Although you may not “need” to hire an architect to get a permit for your project (and most small residential projects are not required by code to have an architect stamp the plans), there are many good reasons to include an architect on your team:
- Architects act as the quarterback for the project. You can’t have a football game without the key player, and similarly, wouldn’t want to start a construction project without someone guiding you from beginning to end.
- Architects are trained problem solvers with the education and experience to guide you through the entire process. They can help define what you want to build, what you should expect the project to cost, and how long it will take.
- Architects are the interpreter between the team of engineering and construction experts so everyone is speaking the same language.
What should I look for in an Architect?
We often speak with clients who started a project without an architect and ended up with drawings that didn’t work: some areas of the building were not code-compliant, consultants’ drawings conflicted with the architectural plans, or desired changes to the project caused the designer to abandon the project.
Competence, interest and chemistry are major considerations in making the final selection. The initial project interview is crucial because it gives you a chance to meet and to see if the chemistry is right. You will be working with the architect for awhile, and you need someone you can trust to get the job done well. Ask for references; you want an architect who still has happy clients at the end of the process. Some things to look for include:
- Does the architect have a personality that you can work comfortably with for a number of months?
- Do you communicate with them well?
- Do you like their style of buildings and their sense of design?
- How many buildings have they built? NOTE: Don’t be concerned if the Architect has not completed a project exactly like yours. Architects are skilled at adapting to new clients, new project types and new building codes.
How much should I pay for an architect?
As with many things in life, you get what you pay for. Selecting the cheapest architect often results in poor quality drawings and details, and a lack of coordination between the various trades. For a custom residential project, an architect typically charges about 10-12% of the construction budget – and we mean reasonable construction budget. Currently in Los Angeles, you should expect to pay about $400/sf for new construction or addition in addition to your architecture and engineering fees.
The most important process of a design project is coordination. The best projects look flawless; this happens when all the trades have been coordinated and the team has planned ahead to accommodate significant construction items (i.e. structural requirements, mechanical ductwork, etc.). If you walk into a room and don’t notice any weird vents or drops in the ceiling, you know the project was (a) well-coordinated or (b) the contractor spent a significant amount of time and money to make the project appear intentional.
Trust Your Architect
Once you have done your research and selected the best architect for your project, put your faith in them. The best time to plan out the project, make changes, and get it right is when the project is still “on paper” (or in the computer!). It is much harder to make significant changes to the building when construction is underway, and changes at this phase of the project often have unintended consequences. There are times when the Contractor may come to you questioning the architect’s logic for certain design decisions. This is the time to call in your quarterback….let the Architect and the Contractor work out the best solution if it appears that a change might benefit the project. The Architect is your agent in this process. She will look out for your needs, the needs of the project and work with the Contractor to get it built right.
