Architect Fees

Architect Fees

From: Sam

"If you plan on "designing" your own home, that is you have an exact idea of what you what the house to look like and can come up with rough sketches be it on the back of an envelope, or using software, how would one go about saving on architect fees in this situation. Will also be acting as own GC.

Thanks,
Sam"

Hi Sam,

Architects draw very few homes for us average individuals.

Many Architects feel can’t make enough money drawing the average house unless they sell multiples of a plan trough plan books & web sites, or design for the “rich & famous”, or at least wealthy folks.

Most cities, townships or counties do not require the use of an architect unless the house is over a certain sq. footage or is very complex in design, and then they can require an architect’s signature, and/or an engineering seal of approval on your home plans!

So, call the building inspection department where you plan to build and ask them what their blue print (home plan) requirements are.

Ask them point blank if an architect's seal is required on the plans. Ask them if an engineer's seal is required. Sometimes a separate truss plan is required with an engineer's seal, even if the trusses come from a truss company that has its own engineers. (You can't fight city hall)

If an architect’s seal is required, you will have no other option than to employ an architect. I doubt that this will happen unless, as I stated above, you are building a large house or one with a complex design.

There are several different ways in which architect may structure their fees. The most common fee structure is a percentage of the cost of construction, usually 6 to 15%.

On small projects such as a private residence (yours) a negotiated fee is not uncommon. It could be an hourly rate or a percentage of the total estimated cost, or a “cost plus” fee, or even a fee based on the sq. footage.

I would prefer the later (sq. footage) as you don’t know the cost of construction yet. The “cart” is clearly ahead of the horse at this point.

An architect may say that he (or she) could estimate the cost for the purpose of establishing a fee, but I wouldn’t go that route as his (or her) estimate and yours when you finally get around to getting one, probably will be different by thousands of dollars, with the architect’s being the higher one.

See "Finding a Home Designer" for an alternative to hiring an Architect.

Good luck,

Carl