An architect can help you make decisions like increasing the set back line so you need firewalls only between units, and not along the rear walls that are too close to the property boundary.

Architects have standard templates and drawings are the same in 70% of drawings.

And I believe there is cost of permitting, architect and engineer.

Where is property, what's price point -- no granite nowadays, go with Caesarstone (or Corinthian) -- less than marble but a little more than granite -- don't get granite -- not so hot anymore; change cabinets; open kitchen; LESS rooms is desired -- if you have formal living and dining and separate kitchen, see if the architect will let you tear down all these walls. .All you want is a GREAT ROOM with kitchen, living, dining, separate bedrooms -- AND MAYBE -- if you have room, a home office/den/office (no windows needed).... appliances -- Viking/Wolf will do -- no need to go to Miele or Gaggenau for middle of the road.Fresh coat of paint of course.

If you mean you want to architect skyscrapers, then, yes, you need an appropriate degree.

I had an architect/designer who I used for who was wondrful and charged $80/hour, but they moved to sunny LA.

You can ask General Building Contractors, Architects, Local Building Unions, you local Building Department and other sources.

Even if you have a GC, one of your partners will need to be the "point" person who is running around picking out finishes, meeting the architect, etc.

Get an architect or pick a building plan online and go to builder?

Call and ask some local architects if they've done this split here before.Many times you can't do it though.