Are you actively working as an architect?

If you are willing to spend the money, you won't contact an architect just yet. 

I just wanted to know if you knew some books who could be interesting, as I am looking for guidance, a way to be able to follow the construction process, in order to be a little more educated about the different steps, tasks a builder or architect will encounter during a project.

Plumbers, electricians, boiler techs, engineers and architects are but contractors are not.

Let's say you do all of the analysis, figure out all of the above and find enough financial backers to get the project to completion, and find a great team of architects, contractors and government officials onboard to actually get it done.

I am trying to research architects/designers/contractors and see what it would all cost in different scenarios.

Plus, as an Architect, you are the subject matter expert!

I was trained to be an architect at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

We're using high quality materials and hired a very creative architect.

Someone has paid an architect, talked to the city, has the permits, etc.