|
|
|
Architect Design Services and Fees
Architect Design Service offerings go beyond
Simply Designing Home Plans
By: Mark J. Donovan
|
|
When
building a new custom home or home addition many homeowners enlist the design
services of an architect to generate a set of house plans. For most people who
visit an architect for the first time they walk away both excited and confused.
Their excited about making their home construction a reality, however their
often confused on the architect design services and fees offered to them during
their meeting.
Architect Design
Services
Though there are some architectural
firms that mainly focus on just creating blueprints and house plans, there are
many others who offer full turn key architect design services. |
|
As part of their full service
architect design services, the architect firm will review your local
building code requirements, perform structural engineering analysis, develop
detailed engineering schematics, generate bills of materials, assist you in
your contractor selection and construction bidding process, and provide
project oversight to make sure your new home construction project is built
as specified in your architectural home plans.
In addition, architectural home
plans are not all created equal. Architects can develop home plans in
various levels of complexity. |
 |
|
|
They can produce basic home plans
sufficient enough to pull home construction permits, to detailed home plans that
include everything down to which kitchen cabinet knobs, and wall coverings will
be used.
Architect Design
Fees
As can be expected architect design
fees vary with the level of services provided. For a basic set of home plans,
architect fees are usually a set dollar amount. With full service architect
design services, expect to pay architect fees anywhere from 5-15% of the entire cost of
the new home construction project. |
For the average homeowner, the first
question that often comes to mind when hearing the various architecture design
services and architect fees offered is “why do I need to hire an architect for anything
more than designing a complete set of house plans”. On the surface this is a
valid question, however an architect can be a godsend when building a custom
home or even a home addition.
A new home construction project is a
major endeavor, and unless you are knowledgeable about the home construction
industry you may lack the resources to ensure your new custom home is built to
your complete satisfaction. An architect, on the other hand, who has designed
your house plans, and who intimately knows the residential home building
industry, can provide the right level of project oversight that most homeowners
cannot.
|
Find a Qualified Home Remodeling Contractor in Your Area |
|
Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner
NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
|
|
|
Get Matched in 48 hours with Home Remodeling
Contractors! |
Though the thought of paying 5-15% of
a new home construction project for architect design services seems like a lot
for many homeowners, it is important to realize the amount of work and expertise
required in designing home plans. Architects are a unique breed of people as
they possess a combination of artistic skills and engineering knowledge acquired
through extensive education and experience.
In addition, there is an incredible
amount of work and responsibility that needs to go into producing a complete set
of home plans. They have to design home plans that are both aesthetically
attractive and structurally sound. To accomplish this they have to fully
understand your home requirements, and national and local building codes, and be
extremely knowledgeable in structural engineering. Add to this the architect
design services of contractor selection, bid reviews, and project management
functions, and it becomes easier to understand why their fees are as high as
they are.
So before immediately dismissing a
full architect design service package, consider all the benefits and value it
can bring to the table with your new custom home project. For the homeowners who
have enlisted the full services of an architect firm the experience is almost
unanimously positive. For the most part, even professional contractors like
working with architects, as they know they are working with a fellow
professional in their industry.
How to Finance your Home Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related Home Plans and Home Remodeling Articles
Additional Home Floor Plans and Home Addition Resources from Amazon.com
Custom Home Building Price Quotes For FREE,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on custom home building from one of our prescreened and licensed custom home
builders. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you
receive your custom home building price estimate.
|
|
|
