Hello everyone. I had a few questions I wanted answered about using architects. I wanted to do some big rehabs down the line, and thought having an architect would be helpful.
1. How are architects paid? Do they get some percentage of work, or are they just paid some flat fee? Are they really expensive?
2. How does the process work when you use an architect? Do they usually have the contractor contacts, or do they just hand off the project to you when finished?
3. Could someone walk me through the process of using an architect. I mean from the first call to completed construction.
I went to school for Architecture, but currently work for a mechanical, electrical, and piping consulting engineer (so I work with architects all the time). My experience is with very large buildings (mostly industrial). What I have seen is all over the map.
I have been on projects where the architectural firm is the general contractor also. I have been on projects where the client holds all the contracts and the architect and engineers just supply design and documents. As for fees... that totally depends on the contract too. Sometimes it's a set fee, sometimes they charge so much per hour, and sometimes they charge a percentage of the construction cost.
In anycase, I would think most smaller architects probably have a usual way of doing things, and most big firms (with many architects) probably have negotiable contracts. I would just call a few in your area and see how they normally do things. Or if you have a preference tell the architect what you are willing to do.
Oh, and a perspective of pricing... The archs I usually work with for my job bill out around $100/hr. My cousin hired arch (one man opperation in a small town in IL) for some remodel plans on his house for $18/hr.
I like hearing about the $18/hr price. I'm not sure that is something you can get in a lot of places. Maybe some recent architecture grads could be helpful. Thanks for the help, though.
I'm an Architect focusing on Energy Efficient Homes and possibly could aid in your question - That is if you are still looking around for Architect's, even though your post is dated awhile back.
A standard way smaller firms work is to have a "pay by the hour" Design fee, then, once the design is set, a straight up contract cost for the CD's.
Depending on the extent of your project both areas of cost can vary dramatically.
Let me know about any projects you have on board - I'd be happy to take a look.