Advice about Working with an Architect

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  • How much for an architect?

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    Jul 4, 2024

    I know the answer is broad and depends on many factors, but trying to understand the cost for an architect is so I can start budgeting for a project that in 2025 or 2026 that is essentially a 150 square foot add-on. $5k? 10K? $20k? More? Anyone here have a similar project they can estimate based off what they paid? It seems from older threads that $80/hour on the cheap end and more like $150/hour for a principal architect. But how many hours are we talking about?!? Just curious of others experiences.

    I have an add-on porch that was converted into a laundry room and water closet many decades ago, about 120 sq ft. It needs to probably be torn down and rebuilt with a real foundation, but still being a laundry room, and convert to a half bath, and redesign the outside porch around it.

    Jul 4, 2024

    At least 20 to 25K including structural engineering. For a “small” project, you can’t really use price per square foot method. 

    Jul 10, 2024

    This may seem obvious, but have you thought about reaching out to a couple of an architects? I would assume there are numerous recommendations on this forum. 
    You might get a clearer answer and also a chance to vet some potential professionals. 

    Jul 10, 2024

  • How can you tell if an architect has good ideas for your home?

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    Jul 8, 2023

    Hi-

    I'm looking to do a second story addition to my tiny home. The current space has an odd layout, so the architect would have to be creative (in terms of where to put the staircase, etc). I'm loathe to hire a specific architect if they don't come up with any design ideas I like. Do you have to hire the architect before you get design ideas or is it reasonable to ask them to give verbal ideas or sketches first? And are there architects or design build firms that you love who are creative in terms of ideas/solutions? Some architects recommended on BPN don't have websites- how do you evaluate if they can come up with good renderings? Also I'm a single mom and last time I did a small remodel I think I was overcharged because the contractor knew I wouldn't have the knowledge to argue against the changes/updates that are inevitably made.

    Thanks in advance!

    Jul 8, 2023

    As a retired architect, I suggest you meet with a few architects, look at their work, and decide which one you want to go with. Ask if they will work on an hourly rate and provide a time estimate to provide concept sketches before executing a full service contract. Do not expect design work or ideas gratis. Architecture is a high-risk, low-paying field and architects deserve to be paid for their efforts.

    Jul 12, 2023

    In my experience, most architects will meet with you and many will come see your space if you are seriously thinking of building. We interviewed 6 or 7 architects before hiring, and they either met us at their office or our home, for about an hour for free. All had examples of their work to share. Most gave verbal ideas, but no actual sketches. Based on the meeting, they'd give us a quote, either hourly or based on cost of construction. Some wrote up long proposals and provided resumes.

    Ask for their portfolio and references. Feel like you have some trust before you hire them. Check out things like the state of California's "Consumer's Guide to Hiring an Architect" available online.

    There are usually 5 stages to architects' contracts: Schematic Design, approx 15% of fees; Design Development, approx 20% of fees; Construction Documents, approx 40% of fees; Bidding, approx  5% of fees; Construction Administration, approx 20% of fees. The contract you sign may let you or the architect "divorce" at various parts if it's not working out.

    It's definitely nerve wracking to build anything if you are on a budget, and wise to be cautious. But there are almost always extra costs you didn't foresee, or come with changes to the design or construction. It is a good idea to keep 10% of your budget for these, so you don't stress out too much when it happens.

    Jul 12, 2023

    I am sure you can find an architect who can sketch out a few ideas for you on an hourly basis. Once you get an idea you like, you can hire for the project. 

    Jul 17, 2023

    One small bit of advice that may seem obvious: make sure they are actually a licensed architect. We worked with someone we thought was an architect, who came to us through a 'design and build' service, and it turns out they were a "designer". They didn't lie to us, we just didn't know the difference and didn't think to ask. It seems their skills were more toward making your kitchen pretty and not toward the kind of project we had, which involved some tricky structural engineering. Your project sounds similar. The designer made significant mistakes that cost us money and the work had to be redone by a real architect -- and he was wonderful and I recommend him highly: Ian Macleod, http://www.macleoddesign.com. . Good luck!

    Jul 22, 2023

  • Is it hard to make initial contact with an architect?

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    Mar 14, 2018

    Looking for advice from those who have done recent remodels. We just bought a home in Berkeley but it needs some extensive renovation. 

    I've called and left messages for atleast 4 architects recommended here or otherwise through friends, but no one has called me back. Is this normal? Are architects really slow to respond at every stage of the process? Or should I be emailing instead of calling?

    Any advice would be much appreciated. 

    Mar 14, 2018

    For what it's worth, I heard recently that architects/contractors in the Bay Area are currently busier than usual, and may be for awhile, due to the recent Santa Rosa fires (e.g., re-building homes that burned down). It's just a guess - but it may explain why folks aren't able to get back you.

    Mar 21, 2018

    We used architectural designer, Ann Maria Celona, in Berkeley, and have recommended her to others. We were very happy with her responsiveness and design work. Ann Maria Celona, Custom Homes, 510 420-1128

    Mar 21, 2018

    It's possible they are all busy. Email is probably best

    Mar 21, 2018

    We were pretty happy with Sogno Design Group I think it's called. Maybe make a visit to their offices?  Kathy tended to be overcommitted, but once I got her on the phone, we could get our work done (full on kitchen remodel).  Thing is, the market's booming, so I'm guessing everyone's super busy; and busiest are the most sought after folks. Good luck! Keep calling is all I can suggest if you aren't able to visit their offices in person.

    Mar 21, 2018

    Yeah, that's normal.  Residential architects and contractors are all pretty busy and (especially if your job is a smaller one) they aren't likely to get back to you quickly unless you've been referred by someone important to them.  At least that's been my experience.  Certainly it doesn't hurt to email as well as call, or vice versa, given that most people are much better at responding to one than the other but there's no predicting who is which!

    Mar 21, 2018

    I had a similar experience with designers when we recently remodeled a bathroom. One even promised to send drawings after looking at our space and taking photographs but never followed through and another disappeared after I sent him the photos he had requested. In our case we just took it as a behavioral sign of someone we would not want to work with and we contacted other people. We just kept moving forward until we found someone we could work with. 

    Mar 22, 2018

    Having the same problem - all of whom were recommended.  

    Mar 22, 2018

    Thanks everyone! And your collective wisdom was spot on. I did finally hear back from 3 of the 4, but it took about a week. And everyone is super busy right now. So even after setting the initial meeting, and getting the proposal, it could be 4-6 weeks before they would be ready to start designing our project.

    Will call and email a few more that are recommended on this thread. Seems like I'll have to interview a lot of architects to find one that we like, who is willing to take on our project, and could start right away!

    Mar 27, 2018

     Yes, the architect/contractor business is booming right now. But we used the responsiveness of architects to make our choice. Even an overworked business should be professional enough to reply, if only to say that they're too busy or won't be available for a year. We actually called 10 architects, then met with those who replied.

    Mar 28, 2018