Tips On Hiring Architects & Construction Team.
Hi group,
I was wondering for any tips or advice on how I should go about hiring a construction team and an architect? How will I be able to estimate how much is going to be spent?
Thanks,
Angel
What is it that you wish to do Angel? Do you have an urge to design and build a house, a multidwelling, or perhaps a mini mall, whatever?
You usualy start with a piece of land and then try and discover all the things you can do with it. Zoning, type of soil, the area etc.
Then if you are uninspired you go see an architect and sit with him and he sketches and you talk and somewhere in the middle an idea of what to do starts to come alive.
From there you talk to contractors or builders and they talk about price to do the things you want to do. You put and take adjusting to the reality of the area in which you work.
Then it is done. Plans are made and in you go to the Building Department and get a permit.
Off to the bank present them with all of this stuff and they make you a construction loan. Or you find someone who wants the project and you sell it to them or you agree to build it for them whatever. Thats it.
Go do it. Lucius
If, for instance, you were talking about houses, I would start by trying to find a builder and then look at house plans he already has developed. You may not need to get building plans created from scratch. Hiring an architect to create plans can be very expensive and may not be necessary if you can take the builder's plans, tweak them, modify them as appropriate.
Thanks for the boost!!! I'm going to get on it this week.
Thanks,
Angel
Angel,
I am a licensed architect and general contractor in Arizona. My advice to you would be to interview several architects in your area.
Better yet, contact your local AIA office (http://www.aiaroch.org/) for a list of architects in your area. Meeting face-to-face with several architects is important not only discuss your project and fees but to determine whether or not you'll get along with the architect (warm, fuzzy feelings about the architect should be as important as the fees they charge). After you have found an architect, interview your contractors. Your architect may be able to help find the right contractor for you. I find in my practice that having a contractor on board early in the design process helps to facilitate cost saving measures.
As far as estimating how much you are going to spend for design and construction services, that will vary by a number of factors including: project scope, size, location, quality, etc. Here in Arizona, architects are getting fees anywhere from 4% to 15% of estimated construction costs. Contractor fees range from 15% to 30% of estimated construction costs. My fees will typically include the major engineering disciplines such as structural , mechanical and electrical. Other fees such soils investigations, surveys, interior design are typically extra. Again, talk with the architects in your area and determine what is included with their services.
I must take exception to Nancy's comment that architects "can be very expensive". This is a common misconception by those who don't understand the value that architects can provide for you. I have a page on my web site (www.morrisgroupaec.com) titled "Why Hire an Architect" that explains the value that we can bring to your project. In most cases, architects can actually save you money in the long run. Also, "taking a builder's set of plans and tweeking them" is not for everyone. If you are looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind home, have a difficult lot to build on or this is a commercial project, you will not be able to use a builder's set of plans. ( When a say "unique, one-of-a-kind", I mean a home that hasn't been construct for a dozen other people).
I see that you are from Binghamton, NY. I have family in Binghamton who are also business owners (JT's tavern and the Empire Club). My Brother in-law has used architects in your area in the past. I can find out what his experiences have been and get a name and number for you if you would like.
Bryan
bdmorris,
As my prior post indicates, I am not suggesting that existing building plans will work for everyone. I only recommended that "where appropriate" people start with an existing plan. Certainly, a 100% custom home requires plans from scratch.
I have had several positive experiences working with architects and certainly recognize that a good architect provides value. The real question, however, is does the building situation warrant hiring an architect to generate plans from scratch or can existing plans be modified. That was the point I was trying to make.
Nancy,
I did not mean to offend you. My only intention was to educate those reading these posts about the value of architects vs. the misconception of the expense of architects. Most people I have run into who want to build their own home share the same views as you have stated in your post above. I wanted to provide a pro - architects viewpoint in opposition to your pro - builder's viewpoint (the other side of the coin, if you will).
Being that we do not know what Angel's project requirements are, I felt that see should seek the advice of an architect first as they are in the best position to tell her whether or not their services are required.
I am glad to hear that you have had positive experiences with architects. When questions like Angel's come up, you should share those experiences - I think it is better to hear about these experiences from non-architects as opposed to those in the profession (it sounds self-serving if we talk highly of ourselves).
Again, I meant no disrespect. I appriciate and respect you posting above.
Bryan
Bryan,
No offense taken, and you are correct that Angel did not indicate the scope of the intended project.
I'll be happy to share my positive experiences with architects. These were in residential, and actually included builders as well as end users.
On several occasions when I was working with builders, it was part of my job to interview and recommend architects to design new residential product. Once I had the pleasure (and honor) of giving a driving tour of the area to some out-of-area architects who had respectively achieved some high level of recognition in their profession. Ironically, one of the architects was also a developer (and had won a prestigious land development award for his projects). Each of these poor guys was a prisoner in my car, and I'm sure that I got the better end of the deal by being able to pick their brains on design, curb appeal, do's and dont's, etc., and having them share some of their many experiences with me. It was a wonderful opportunity for me (my introduction to architects at the time) and one that has always stayed with me.
Another experience involved a somewhat "clueless" builder who was at least smart enough to follow my recommendation and hire an excellent architect whose clients included some of the most successful builders in the area. I watched in awe as this architect skillfully took the builder by the hand and walked him through the process of designing several brand new houses and elevations.
I don't know what the architectural fees were in either of the above cases, but there was no doubt in my mind that these fellows were worth every dollar they charged.
Find a builder and use plans from his inventory. no need for custome work because it's not your house.