So if you’re on a budget, it makes more sense to handle dealing with the contractor yourself. While it might be nice, in most cases hiring the architect who designed the plans to oversee an addition or remodel isn’t necessary. It can be a good solution for someone who doesn’t want to deal with a contractor or get involved in the day-to-day decision making process during the course of construction. Hiring an architect to oversee a project is the highest level of service you can buy, since you’re responsible for little more than writing the check. If extensive changes are made, which often arise once contractors start bidding on the project, the architect will redraw the plans for an additional fee.
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After the architect meets with the homeowners to determine their needs, they will present a full set of plans for bid, including renderings of the outside of the structure and all building details from roof to foundation.
Usually homeowners will hire an architect before the contractor is involved. They act not only as a point person to handle the inevitable problems that arise, but also as your advocate with the general contractor and the subcontractors. Licensing of architects is a separate process that is administrated by each state.Īs project manager, an architect can keep an eye on the progression of work. This indicates membership in the American Institute of Architects. You’ll often see the initials “AIA” after an architect’s name. And, of course, so does a home where you want to make a one-of-a-kind statement. So does an older home where you want to extend the existing historic look to new work. If you would like the architect to manage the project, solicit bids, choose the contractor and subcontractors, control money, and oversee work they will charge an additional 5% to 10% of the cost of the project.Īrchitects are skilled at coming up with inventive ideas to solve complex design problems and at making sure a project is true to itself aesthetically (whether it’s classical or original in styling).Īn addition, or other complicated project with lots of roof lines, really benefits from an architect’s vision and ability to visualize ideas three-dimensionally. Rates vary by region and individual architect. Architects are trained in design theory, engineering, and project management.