Architects??

[ejb]

Hey guys,

Question for you architects, or people who have used architects in the last few years...

We want to do some serious remodeling of our place, which is more or less the same as it was when it was built for the previous owner in 1962. i.e., it needs updating, bigger kitchen, more windows, a few walls moved around, perhaps a second story put on, change the whole "look" of the outside (which I hate to say more or less looks like a ranch - nothing wrong with ranches, just not my taste).

I will probably end up doing a lot of the work myself and sub'ing out those tasks I am not qualified to do, but I really need an architect to figure out what we need to do, and to do some drawings because I have a hard time visualizing so much in my mind...

Question is, what is a ball-park of what it might cost to get an architect to sit down with us, get some ideas, draw up some sketches and then refine those drawings?

I have heard some people pay 10% of the cost of the project (which seems high to me) and have had others tell me a couple of thousand might do it...obviously its going to depend on how quickly we all can identify a "style" that we are all happy with, but am curious what others have found?

Also, what other things should I look for when selecting an architect? I am at this point going to just call people out of the phone book because I don't have any personal references...

Thanks!

 

[Golfgar4]

EJB,

I'm not an architect, but we deal with them frequently through my wife's business. So this will be just a little general guidance.

The 10% of project total is a fairly common figure. However, we've seen acrchitects shy from that when the project is a renovation like you're talking about. For this kind of project, they usually go with an hourly rate. In our area, we've seen it range from $150.00 to $250.00 per hour.

Now having said that, there is a way to reduce that cost. If you can find a designer (not an architect) that has experience in designing homes, the designer might be able to draw the plans accurately enough to just have an architect review and approve them. This is what my wife does. She designs homes from the ground up for her clients. She's been doing it long enough that she knows all the code requirements, etc., and can draw the plans accurately enough that all the architect does is review for code requirements, make minor changes (yeah, right!) and then sign off on the plans. In our neck of the woods, the plans have to have a licensed architect sign off on them. But it means that usually the architect only has the plans for a day or so rather than weeks. Saves a bunch of money for the client. Check with your area builders association for possible names of people that can do this. You can also talk with the various builders that you would be considering to general the project. They would probably know about someone like this also.

Now if you can't find someone that can do that, then again, check with the local builders association and/or Chamber of Commerce for the names of architectural design firms or individual architects they would recommend. You would at least know that the firms or individuals they send you to should be reasonably legitimate.

Once you've narrowed it down to however many you want to narrow it down to, then you start checking their credentials. Ask them what licenses they hold, check a list of references they should supply, and go look at some of their work. I would also pay a little visit to the local County courthouse and see if any of the firms/individuals you're considering have any suits filed against them - or if they have any suits filed against anyone else. Remember one thing during all of this. This firm or person will be working for YOU. when you talk with them, if they're not asking what you want, and how want to do it, get out of there! Find someone who wants to please you.

After all that, it's like buying a tractor. Do your research, get a feel for how they'll work for YOU, and then go with your gut feeling! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Good Luck!

 

[njrqs]

I work with them all the time for a living but not sure I can offer too much.

Don't always look for the lower fee, as shoddy documents can add costs for the builder's/subbies involved.

If you are going to do the building yourself, maybe just get the architect to do the design only, then get a draftsman to do the plans to submit to the council.

Architects don't like that however, but it is cheaper for you.

Up to 10% (over here) would cover you for the full design, documentation and running/supervision of the project. Purely design and documentation would be less than that.

Yes get references, as some architects here win things by telling people how good they are, but people in the know, al know they do crap work.

Good luck !!

 

[Jag]

As an engineer I have had to deal with them from time to time. Architects have always accusued me of trying to turn their marvel type structure into a pole barn. I have always heard the best descripition of an architects------ "A person who builds a monument to his creativity with, your money"

Please do not hate me I am just kidding, there is even one who I sent funny stories to every now and then....

 

[njrqs]

<font color=blue>"A person who builds a monument to his creativity with, your money" </font color=blue>

Not heard that one before, but as architects normally go through me to spend your money, I cannot agree more /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

PS - I see we have at least 4 architects registered on TBN so maybe we'll get a bite.........

Cheers

 

[JTD]

On our last remodel we went the designer route. Only needed a structural engineer to do the engineering calculations (plus heat loss, etc) in addition to the designer's work. This was in the Bay area in CA. This was about one third the cost of an architect for a major remodel. Our contractor was very knowledgable so that probably made it go easier too.
I'm using an architect for my new house now, but that's because we want it designed to fit the location. A good architect will be involved throughout the construction. Designers basically are finished when the plans are finalized. I agree with Golgfar4 that the designer route is probably best in your case.

 

[RobS]

ejb, we used a designer for our new house then had the plans reviewed by an engineer. All has been fine so far and we were very happy with the work of the designer. We paid by the square foot, something around 40 cents per. We had a quote from an architect to do basically the same thing and it came in at over a dollar per square foot. If you have a pretty good idea of what you want, you'll get your best value out of a designer. Check with some of the local builders for recommendations /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MarkV]

EJB,

Just to add to all the good advice, the more you narrow down what you want, the less time and money you will spend with a designer. Look at magazines and start an idea book. Try to decide where you would like to add windows, what walls do you want to move and so on. If you can work a plan that does not involve moving your bearing walls the cost will be considerably less expensive during construction. If you want to add a second story the cost can go out the roof (sorry for the pun). If you have the room on your property, you can many times add to the foot print of the house cheaper than adding a second floor.

Around here there are many design/build firms that will work with you on design only, or handle the design and construction of the parts you want to sub out.

MarkV

 

[ejb]

Thanks guys for all the imput...sounds like a designer would better suit my needs than a full-blown architect. Not sure I even need a *real* architect anyway, in the small town building plans are not scrutinized that much anyway.

I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[cp1969]

Watch 'em-- Sometimes even the fact that they're architects doesn't mean they can't mess up.

I just paid $1100 for a set of house plans from one of the supposed "leading house plan architects" that has no means to get HVAC air from the furnace (in the basement) to the second floor.

This didn't get caught until the HVAC man looked at them. I can hardly wait to show it to the next subcontracor to see what he'll find wrong.