Planning to build your first home or adding a new one is a step towards an exciting journey. The dream of a new home will become a reality with the expertise of an architect.
Your chosen architect will consider your preferences, personality, and your family into weaving a home design that suits you. This website works with a group of engineers and architects who have already proven their skills for various clients.
Since the realization of this dream depends largely on your choice of architect, you need to choose who you will work with carefully. There are various considerations to keep in mind, but your budget could be the limiting factor to your choices.
Listed here are the steps to find an architect to suit your budget and more.
- Set a budget.
A smart move in building your new home is to work closely with the architect in the design and planning stages. You should inform the architect about your budget right from the start.
Give the architect an outline of the work you expect to be done. Ask if this work is something that they are willing to do. You should then hold them to this budget before signing over the dotted line. The clearer the budget and work discussion is, the lesser possibilities of being disappointed in the outcome.
- Inquire about the cost of hiring an architect in your location.
Architects can charge their work differently so it would be a challenge to find out the exact range for any location. Also, they may charge per square foot per hour or as a portion of your building cost.
You can expect to pay around $2-$5 for every square foot for concept development and about $1-$4 for production of construction document. Others may also charge 10 to 15 percent of the total project cost.
- Consider working compatibility.
Since you will be working with an architect in your project, the budget is not the only thing to consider. You need to like the person who will be designing your new home.
Find someone you can work with efficiently and have these qualities:
- Amenable to changes of your plans
- Listens to your ideas, regardless of how crazy they may sound.
- Creative enough to adapt their workload and designs when faced with challenges.
- Can think outside the box.
- Have a working style that’s compatible with your own.
- Be prepared to meet with different people.
This may be the hardest and most lengthy step in your quest for finding an architect. Given the wide range of architect costs, you are most likely going to meet someone who is way beyond your budget. But this is a crucial step since you will learn plenty with this step as they will showcase their styles and present the different works they have finished.
Also, if you find someone you like but costs higher than your budget, you can discuss to have a non-custom home option. This means that they use a previous design and change only a few things to suit your needs.
- Check their level of involvement.
With your given budget, find out what level of involvement they can give. Ask how much detailing they would be able to provide for the job.
- Require references.
In narrowing down your choices, it is crucial to require them lists references. This list should not be limited to their previous clients but should also include builders and other professionals like structural engineers. You can also ask to visit houses they have designed or visit their website.
- Keep in touch.
Once you have chosen the right one, do confirm that the both of you will be communicating throughout the process. This direct communication is crucial for helping the architect understand your needs and ensure consistency of the design. They will simplify the design and construction process for you from the start of the pre-design meetings until the end of construction.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an architect can take a rather long time, but in the end, you will be more confident in your choice. Setting a budget is an important part when choosing an architect to work with. It is important to meet as many as you want and discuss your financial constraints upfront. Find someone you feel comfortable working with and keep an open line of communication throughout the process.
