Architecture
Working with Professionals
Architect 101: A Fuss-Free Guide
What does an architect do, how much do they cost and what are the benefits of hiring one? Read on for a basic rundown
The role of the architect is complex and varied, and can change from client to client. Here is a fuss-free, straightforward guide to what an architect does, how they will benefit your project, and what payment methods you can expect to encounter.
When it comes to building or redesigning your home, there are myriad options open to you. Do you hire an architect? Should you get an interior designer? Will you consult a building designer? And what exactly do each of these professionals do? Here, we take a closer look at architects: what they do, how they charge and what benefit you receive from using one. Read on for a closer look at the role of the architect in your next project.
What is an architect?
An architect spends five years studying at university, followed by mandatory practical experience, and a registration examination before they’re allowed to practise their trade. Architects combine the necessary aspects of building design, along with your personal dream components, to design your ideal home.
Aside from drawings, plans and renderings of your project, an architect can help you set a viable and realistic budget, while guiding you through council planning processes, managing consultants and obtaining competitive quotes for the work required to complete your project.
Important note: In Australia, any work completed by an architect is protected by copyright law, therefore you cannot ask your architect to re-draw a design you have seen elsewhere. The copyright that protects an architect’s work lasts for 70 years from the end of the year the architect died, or 70 years from the end of the year the work was originally ‘published’ to the public. The copyright can only be handed over to you if the architect signs it over in writing.
An architect spends five years studying at university, followed by mandatory practical experience, and a registration examination before they’re allowed to practise their trade. Architects combine the necessary aspects of building design, along with your personal dream components, to design your ideal home.
Aside from drawings, plans and renderings of your project, an architect can help you set a viable and realistic budget, while guiding you through council planning processes, managing consultants and obtaining competitive quotes for the work required to complete your project.
Important note: In Australia, any work completed by an architect is protected by copyright law, therefore you cannot ask your architect to re-draw a design you have seen elsewhere. The copyright that protects an architect’s work lasts for 70 years from the end of the year the architect died, or 70 years from the end of the year the work was originally ‘published’ to the public. The copyright can only be handed over to you if the architect signs it over in writing.
Why would you want an architect?
In the current housing market, buyers are prepared to pay for the practical and aesthetic benefits of good design, making homes built by architects highly sought after. An architect can identify how to situate your project on the available land in order to take advantage of all possible benefits including optimising views, aspect, sunlight, shade, natural cross-flow ventilation and efficient energy usage. Not to mention the convenience of having an architect oversee the entire operation.
Find a local, reviewed and respected architect on Houzz
In the current housing market, buyers are prepared to pay for the practical and aesthetic benefits of good design, making homes built by architects highly sought after. An architect can identify how to situate your project on the available land in order to take advantage of all possible benefits including optimising views, aspect, sunlight, shade, natural cross-flow ventilation and efficient energy usage. Not to mention the convenience of having an architect oversee the entire operation.
Find a local, reviewed and respected architect on Houzz
What does an architect do?
The services of an architect can be roughly broken down into three parts, and you can employ them to perform all or some of these parts.
Design: This is where you and your architect discuss your requirements, sketch designs to go over potential ideas along with the cost of each idea, and develop the chosen design into detailed drawings, material selection, fittings, finishes and the associated cost to produce it.
Contract documentation: This middle phase is where the technical drawings and specs are laid out; planning and building permits are obtained and tenders are invited.
Contract administration: If you have chosen to have your architect oversee the building contract, you can expect them to liaise with the builder to ensure quality of work and specifications are delivered. They can also approve any discrepancies in price and time due to delays or weather, under your approval identify any issues and rectify them, let you know if there are outstanding decisions to be made, and act as your representative during council certification. And they can advise you on suitable contracts, safeguards and trades.
The services of an architect can be roughly broken down into three parts, and you can employ them to perform all or some of these parts.
Design: This is where you and your architect discuss your requirements, sketch designs to go over potential ideas along with the cost of each idea, and develop the chosen design into detailed drawings, material selection, fittings, finishes and the associated cost to produce it.
Contract documentation: This middle phase is where the technical drawings and specs are laid out; planning and building permits are obtained and tenders are invited.
Contract administration: If you have chosen to have your architect oversee the building contract, you can expect them to liaise with the builder to ensure quality of work and specifications are delivered. They can also approve any discrepancies in price and time due to delays or weather, under your approval identify any issues and rectify them, let you know if there are outstanding decisions to be made, and act as your representative during council certification. And they can advise you on suitable contracts, safeguards and trades.
How much does an architect cost?
The cost of an architect will largely depend on their experience, reputation and the demand for your chosen professional. Architects will also charge differently according to how you have employed them (see stages above). In general, you are charged according to the following methods.
A percentage fee: Where an architect is employed under the agreement that they will be paid a percentage of the overall project value, this percentage can sometimes be higher for smaller projects.
Fixed fee project: In order to enact this method you must be very clear about what you want and how much you can afford. This is an excellent way of ensuring project costs don’t skyrocket during construction.
Hourly rates: This means there is no fixed budget and you only pay for work that is completed. This can be useful to the architect, ensuring they don’t spend more time on a project than it’s worth, but it requires excellent record keeping.
Important note: Any work done outside the client and architect agreement will cost you more, so be clear and concise about what you want, what you can afford and what will be delivered before signing an agreement.
The cost of an architect will largely depend on their experience, reputation and the demand for your chosen professional. Architects will also charge differently according to how you have employed them (see stages above). In general, you are charged according to the following methods.
A percentage fee: Where an architect is employed under the agreement that they will be paid a percentage of the overall project value, this percentage can sometimes be higher for smaller projects.
Fixed fee project: In order to enact this method you must be very clear about what you want and how much you can afford. This is an excellent way of ensuring project costs don’t skyrocket during construction.
Hourly rates: This means there is no fixed budget and you only pay for work that is completed. This can be useful to the architect, ensuring they don’t spend more time on a project than it’s worth, but it requires excellent record keeping.
Important note: Any work done outside the client and architect agreement will cost you more, so be clear and concise about what you want, what you can afford and what will be delivered before signing an agreement.
What do you need to do before agreeing to an architect and a project?
First, consider what kind of work an architect usually does. Ensure that they have a similar style to what you’re after, are experienced working in the environment you have chosen, and are familiar with local rules and regulations. You also want to ensure you can have a great working relationship with them; after all, they will be designing your home.
Check your architect’s qualifications with a local board of authority to ensure you are working with a certified professional, and if possible try to view some of the architect’s past projects to get a feel for their work.
Before meeting with your architect for the first time, make sure you have a clear, concise brief for exactly what you want to get out of your home, what things are must-haves and what are happy extras. Be upfront about what you want, or can afford, to spend on the project, and never hesitate to ask for clarification on exactly what will be delivered and its cost.
Keep notes from your meetings with your architect, or better yet, see if they use Houzz Pro software, which keeps track of all communication, invoices, payments as well as timelines etc, as it can be useful to look back on who made what decisions and when. Talk about timetables and be aware that there are extraneous variables that can affect your project going forward.
First, consider what kind of work an architect usually does. Ensure that they have a similar style to what you’re after, are experienced working in the environment you have chosen, and are familiar with local rules and regulations. You also want to ensure you can have a great working relationship with them; after all, they will be designing your home.
Check your architect’s qualifications with a local board of authority to ensure you are working with a certified professional, and if possible try to view some of the architect’s past projects to get a feel for their work.
Before meeting with your architect for the first time, make sure you have a clear, concise brief for exactly what you want to get out of your home, what things are must-haves and what are happy extras. Be upfront about what you want, or can afford, to spend on the project, and never hesitate to ask for clarification on exactly what will be delivered and its cost.
Keep notes from your meetings with your architect, or better yet, see if they use Houzz Pro software, which keeps track of all communication, invoices, payments as well as timelines etc, as it can be useful to look back on who made what decisions and when. Talk about timetables and be aware that there are extraneous variables that can affect your project going forward.
Most importantly, develop a constant flow of communication between you and your chosen architect. The more you talk, the clearer the project gets, and the more unlikely it is that you will come across an unwelcome surprise. Architects have a finely honed set of skills and creative minds, so be sure to create a working relationship built on mutual respect, and you can be sure your project will be a smoother process for everyone involved.
Tell us
Did you employ an architect for your home build or renovation? Tell us what benefits you experienced from their service in the Comments below.
More
Are you looking for more than a generalist architect? Do you want to learn about sustainable architects? If so, take a look at Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Sustainable Architect
Tell us
Did you employ an architect for your home build or renovation? Tell us what benefits you experienced from their service in the Comments below.
More
Are you looking for more than a generalist architect? Do you want to learn about sustainable architects? If so, take a look at Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Sustainable Architect