How to hire an architect for your home construction?

[ecis2016.org] Here is a guide to finding the right architect for your house remodelling or construction project

Professional architects play the vital role of visualising and creating detailed plans for a building or a structure. If you are embarking on a construction project for your dream house, selecting the right architect, who can transform your vision into reality, is an important task.

You are reading: How to hire an architect for your home construction?

What are the kinds of architects?

Before you proceed with a construction project, it is essential to understand the type of architects, to determine if they possess the right skills to develop a project.

Commercial architect

Commercial architects specialise in designing commercial spaces, including hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, museums, schools, etc. They must have thorough knowledge about the commercial building codes and safety regulations. Commercial projects are usually large-scale projects and involve a team of architects and consultants.

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Residential architect

Residential architects work with private clients, home owners and real estate developers, for designing homes, including apartments, independent houses and villas. They must possess the skills to transform a client’s vision into reality, while working within a budget. Apart from creating individual floor plans, residential architects are also responsible for designing layouts and serving as advisors for developers regarding multiple housing units.

Industrial architect

Industrial architects have expertise in designing and planning industrial units, including factories, storage buildings, warehouses, power plants, logistics facilities, etc. Industrial architects aim to design spaces that can be optimally utilised and to provide ergonomic space for users.

Landscape architect

Landscape architects mainly design outdoor areas, such as lawns, public gardens, parks and walking paths. They are also responsible for designing projects, including resorts, golf courses and recreational spaces. Many landscape architects work on seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. They have expertise in horticulture and focus on creating spaces having aesthetic value.

Interior architect

Interior architects are accredited architects, who focus on the art and science of creating interior spaces, covering aspects like materials, lighting, etc. They work on the structural aspects of how a design will transform and possess technical know-how of construction methods.

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How to hire an architect for custom home?

Remodelling or constructing a house requires a lot of planning. Hiring a qualified architect will take you closer to your objective, as the person will study your project, address the challenges and present solutions that suit your budget and needs.

• Consult friends and family: If you are remodelling your house for the first time, it is better to check with your friends and relatives, to know about their experience of redesigning their homes and ask them for to refer architects.
• Estimate your cost: Determine the final construction cost and know the charges for the architecture design. If you are hiring the top architects, be ready to spend more but it could also bring more value-addition to your project.
• Do your research: Good research will always help you find the best architects. Inspect their past work and the services they provide. Find out experts who have managed various kinds of projects and have diverse experience. Consider the options available to you and choose the right one.
• Look for licensed architects: Before hiring an architect, it is crucial to check if they are licensed. It establishes their credibility and you can be assured that a professional will have the required skills and experience.

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Questions to ask an architect

Careful research is a must, to find the right architect who will deliver a complete range of services that is financially viable for you. Here are some questions that you should ask your architect to make an informed decision.

How does the design process work?

Designing a home is a collaborative process. It starts with assessing the project requirements. The architect then moves to a conceptual design and discusses technical issues and the structural integrity of the house with structural engineers. Since the demand for sustainable buildings has increased, architects are responsible for assisting in improving energy efficiency, by integrating designs that allow maximum natural light and ventilation.

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Do the architect have a signature style?

Make sure the architect’s vision is aligned with your vision and idea of a project. Most architects have the skill to modify their style to match a client’s needs. An architect may have the expertise in designing cottage homes, contemporary or traditional-style structures. By understanding their signature style, you can decide what works best for you.

What are the services that they offer?

It is important to know the extent up to which the architect will manage a project. Many architects provide a complete range of services, apart from creating the design and blueprints. They can also provide services, such as managing the entire project, hiring a contractor, monitoring the contractor’s work, making design adjustments, reviewing invoices, etc.

Does the architect provide three-dimensional drawings?

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It is essential to get visuals and understand how ideas and drawings will be shown. It may not be easy to read a standard two-dimensional plan. Most architects nowadays have software to deliver three-dimensional drawings that you can rotate and view from different angles, to know how a design will look in the real world.

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What is the estimated timeline for the project?

It is crucial to have a frank conversation with your architect and set a realistic timeline for the house construction project. Sometimes, project delays may happen if the client is not available for discussions. So, it is necessary to plan a timetable and mutually adhere to it.

What are the charges for the work?

One should also have an open conversation about the professional fees and budget. Typically, architects charge a fixed fee rate or a percentage of the project’s cost. The charges may vary, depending on the services provided.

What are the issues or challenges in the project?

There may be some challenges related to the technical aspects of the project. Sometimes, the home owners may have unrealistic expectations pertaining to the time and budget. There could also be the challenge of making every room Vastu-friendly while fulfilling the other requirements. Problem-solving is one of the traits of architects. An experienced architect will look at these challenges and evaluate all the possibilities, to provide the best solution. You must ask if the architect has worked on a similar project.

Will the architect be open to inputs and feedback?

Some home owners prefer leaving the entire design of their house to the architect, while others may prefer to get involved in the project. It is better to ask beforehand, if the architect is open to taking suggestions and inputs.

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How much does it cost to hire an architect?

The services rendered by architects vary, depending on the type of project. In India, architects charge for their services as specified by the Council of Architecture, a statutory government body constituted under the Architects Act, 1972.

Usually, the charges are around 5% to 15% of the total cost of a project, depending on various factors like plot size, security features included and scale of the project. Architects may also charge a per sq ft rate or a lump-sum amount, depending on the project cost.

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