Choosing Architect/Designer

[gknaus]

I'm looking to build a house on property I recently purchased. Thing is, I have no idea how to find an architect/designer nor what the actual difference is between an architect and a designer (other than cost). I've heard some not so good stories about architects that take forever and make your project theirs. Where can I get info???

Graham
Sacramento, California

[Rich]

First off - in some areas you are required to have a licensed architect design your home... in others as long as you have a set of plans you are ok. So I would start there to make sure you do have an option. Local building department should be able to help.
As far as an architect and a designer - I would choose an architect everytime. A designer can be anybody with a flair for design.. whereas an architect will typically have training in whole house design. Yes they are oftentimes more expensive but in the overall scheme of things it will cost approximately 2-5% of the total homes cost.

[mjpliv]

Many home designers out there are actually well trained and very capable.

Here is a thread on the subject from last week. You may find it usefull -


http://www.construction-resource.com/forum/ftopic879.html

(did I mention I am a home designer?)

[Rich]

:)
Not saying home designers aren't capable.. just that with architects there is less of a chance of having problems. Trust me - there are quite a few architects that aren't worth a **** too. I suppose it's like anything else - it's just a matter of searching for one.. bid it out, get references, look at the work they've done, etc..etc.

[mjpliv]

Thats OK Rich! I knew what you meant. In some municipalities bylaws dictate the use of an architect or engineer in the design of a house.

I tell everybody that the difference between a home designer and an architect is the invoice - just move the decimal point over one spot!

(before I get a lot of nasty mail from all the architects out there, this is a joke! Most architects I have met are consumat professionals who have a gift for creating something out of nothing. They have trained long and hard to be able to call themselve architects and I do not begrudge them their fee structure.)

[Rich]

LOL @ decimal point.
I have a few friends that are architects - and most of their pricing structure is setup by the firm... not them. We've talked quite a bit about it too - because I have the same problems with them. The ones that have gone out on their own are much easier to deal with and you get a better deal. So look for an individual not a firm for better pricing.

[gknaus]

Thank you all mucho mucho. I'll be interviewing both Architects and Designers...we'll see where I end up

[mjpliv]

Let us know how it turns out!

[kinger]

Best way to find a good Architect/Designer is word of mouth. But it is important to find someone who used an architect as opposed to someone who just knows one. If there is any new construction in your area, and something catches your attention, stop in and asked who designed their home, and what experience they had.
The best advice I can give you when hiring an architect is to find out up front what the total fees will be. They love to work by the hour and you would be amazed at how many hours will add up. In every case I have seen the cost ran significantly higher than what was first suggested. This is not always the architects fault. Almost always there are revisions made, or your contractor may want some changes made. Once you find an architect who you are comfortable with, ask them what their scope of work will be, and have them give you a bid on this scope of work. Make sure that this work will get you through to your building permit. Have your contractor look over the architectural drawings as they develop. Sometimes contractors despise architects. But if there is a problem regarding design detail and how it is constructed, it's better to work that out on paper.
Good Luck!