How to Find an Architect for a Remodel
Are you looking for an architect for your remodel? Don’t worry. We’ll help you find one. Before we start, here’s a brief intro to why you might need an architect.
If you’re gutting your home, doing a large renovation, or building a home from scratch, look into hiring an architect. Architects help ensure that you make as few mistakes as possible throughout the renovation or building process.
That’s not to say mistakes won’t happen. But ideally, you’ll be working with a professional who has completed a lot of similar projects.
Architects are also a great resource for keeping your budget in check. Good architects ensure you don’t overpay for materials, labor, kitchen appliances, and anything else you might need.
You don’t need an architect for most smaller projects. Even for a complete renovation of a bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen, you’ll likely want a designer, a contractor, or both.
Do you think you need an architect? If so, it’s easy to find one!
The easiest way to find an architect is to go online. Tools like Houzz, Homeadvisor, Thumbtack, Home Builder’s Digest, and simply Google are great resources. Also, ask your friends and family for recommendations. Maybe they’ve had great luck with architects in the past.
To find reputable architects, be sure to ask about their license or credentials. Experienced architects are licensed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Look for “AIA” in the name or description when searching for a professional.
Table of Contents
Go Online
In today’s world, the internet is used for everything. You have a wealth of tools to find a contractor for your remodel.
Houzz
Houzz is a massive online hub for design professionals. They have a page dedicated to finding an architect for your remodel. Just tweak the filters to fit your location and type of project and you’re well on your way to finding a great candidate. You can also choose the type of professional you need. So it’s not only for architects.
You’ll also find interior designers, landscapers, plumbers, HVAC professionals, cleaning services…anything you might need for your project. Go check it out for yourself!
HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack, or Angi
HomeAdvisor also connects you with architects or pretty much any home project service you need. Angi or Thumbtack are also great tools to find the best professionals for your project. HomeAdvisor and Angi are essentially the same tools, while Thumbtack is a little different.
If you want more insight on which tool is best, check out this article. I break down exactly how to use these tools from start to finish.
It would be a crime to forget about Google. The perfect architect for you might be just one click away. Here are some useful searches to help you find an architect.
The following searches work if you have location enabled on your device:
- home renovation architect near me
- home addition architect near me
- architects near me
- architect contractor near me
- residential architects near me
If not, instead of “near me” you can add your state or city and state to the search.
Once you search, scroll down to the Google Maps card with a list of businesses and start there. It can be a bit overwhelming to click through all the other Google searches.
Yelp
Yelp is yet another tool that’s easy to use to find architects. Just enter your location and the type of pro you’re looking for. That’s it!
Home Builders Digest
I stumbled upon an awesome resource that breaks down home builders by state. Check out this page, click on your state, and then browse the articles to find pros in your area. Cool, right?
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB features a vast network of reputable businesses, including architects. Accredited businesses in particular are companies that you can trust. On their website, you can browse thousands of accredited and non-accredited businesses. Take a look at the BBB’s Accreditation standards here.
Friends and Family
I can’t guarantee that you have friends and family who have hired architects before and had great experiences. But, if you do, this can be the quickest and easiest way to find the right pro for your project! Ask around and gather honest opinions of professionals from your friends and family.
Did they complete the project on time? Was the project within your budget? How did the architect handle setbacks in the project? Those are a few important questions you can ask your friends. We’ll go over more below, so keep reading!
Attend local home shows.
Home shows are a great way to learn more about current design trends and professionals. At these shows, you can chat with architects and learn more about how you may want to design your home. These pros can answer any burning questions you have about home design and architecture.
It’s best not to go into detail about your specific project right then. But you might ask them, are you accepting clients for projects currently? And go from there.
Once you find candidates, it’s time to…
Conduct in-person interviews
Here is a list of the most important questions to ask an architect before hiring.
- What aspects of the project will you handle? What will I handle?
- What do I need to buy for this project? What will you buy?
- Will you help me choose fixtures, finishes, appliances, etc.?
- What license or credentials do you have?
- What is your plan to complete this project within budget?
- What is your schedule to complete this project on time?
- What setbacks do you anticipate with this project?
- How have you dealt with project delays in the past?
- How will you oversee this project?
- How often will you visit the project site?
- What is your design philosophy?
- What is your process?
- What similar projects have you completed?
- How many people will I be working with? What is their contact info?
- How will I pay for the project? What fees are involved?
Ask for references
You should ask for references during the in-person interview. You want to learn about other people’s experiences with the architect. This will help you decide if the candidate is right for you.
Here are a few questions you should ask your reference about their experience.
- If you could change one thing about your project, what would it be?
- Was the architect easy to work with?
- Did the architect communicate well throughout the project?
- How did the architect respond to any setbacks in the project?
- Did the architect have your best interests in mind?
- Did the project exceed your expectations?
- Does the architect do renovations as well as new builds?
How much does it cost to hire an architect for a remodel?
The cost to hire an architect varies depending on the scope of the remodel or new build. Architects typically charge 5% to 20% of the construction budget. Custom homes are typically a smaller percentage, around 10% to 15%. Whereas remodels might cost up to 20%.
How much does an architect cost to draw plans?
It costs between $1,000 and $2,000 for an architect to modify pre-drawn house plans. Custom house plans can be much more expensive, between 5% and 10% of the total construction costs. Most pre-drawn house plans cost between $500 and $2,000. You can find thousands of house plans online and bring them to your architect for modification.
Do I need an architect to remodel my house?
You may need an architect for large renovation projects that change the structure of your home – especially if you are gutting everything and doing a complete design overhaul. You likely won’t need an architect for smaller remodels that don’t involve structural changes.
Do I need an architect for a bathroom remodel?
No, an interior designer is best for most bathroom remodels. If you are making significant structural changes to your bathroom, consider hiring an architect.
Do I need an architect for a kitchen remodel?
You likely don’t need an architect for a kitchen remodel. An architect designs the layout of your kitchen but doesn’t typically design kitchens. For that, you’ll want a kitchen designer. They’ll ensure that you have a beautiful, practical kitchen that you’ll love. From cabinet sizes to paint color, kitchen designers focus on the smaller details. Whereas an architect focuses on the big picture.
Do I legally need an architect?
Most residential homes do not require an architect. Check with your local building department to make sure your area is not an exception. Commercial projects have stricter requirements. Depending on the type of building, its safety requirements, and its size, an architect may be required by law.
What are builders’ work drawings?
Builders’ work drawings are a part of house plans. These drawings include HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and firefighting systems. They also include any openings in walls or the foundation and equipment that must be installed.
How much does it cost for a floor plan?
A draftsperson charges between $50 and $130 per hour according to HomeAdvisor. They typically cost between $500 to $2,500 depending on the size and complexity of the room or rooms.
As-Built Drawings
As part of the renovation process, contractors, designers, and architects must create as-built drawings. Learn more about them below.
What are as-built drawings?
As-built drawings are plans that reflect any modifications made to construction projects. This allows contractors and clients to keep track of changes to the original design from start to finish. They are not typically required for homeowners but can be beneficial in planning future projects.
What is an as-built fee?
An as-built fee is the price to make the as-built drawing after a project has been completed. These typically cost between $1 to $2 per square foot or 1% to 2% of the total project cost.
Do I need as-built drawings?
As-built drawings are generally not needed for homeowners. But they can be helpful if you want to make large-scale renovations to your home. It makes renovation easier to plan with an up-to-date drawing of the foundation of your home.
As-built drawings are more beneficial and often critical for commercial construction projects. Commercial projects might have dozens of professionals working on the same building. As they are hired, they can learn about the existing structure quickly by reviewing an as-built drawing.
These drawings are also sometimes required to obtain certain building permits. They are beneficial for facility teams, who are responsible for the maintenance of a corporation’s buildings.
So, were you able to find an architect for your remodel? If all this online research seems overwhelming, don’t forget to ask friends and family for recommendations!
Good luck with your project!
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How much does it cost to hire an architect for a remodel?
The cost to hire an architect varies depending on the scope of the remodel or new build. Architects typically charge 5% to 20% of the construction budget. Custom homes are typically a smaller percentage, around 10% to 15%. Whereas remodels might cost up to 20%.
How much does an architect cost to draw plans?
It costs between $1,000 and $2,000 for an architect to modify pre-drawn house plans. Custom house plans can be much more expensive, between 5% and 10% of the total construction costs. Most pre-drawn house plans cost between $500 and $2,000. You can find thousands of house plans online and bring them to your architect for modification.
Do I need an architect to remodel my house?
You may need an architect for large renovation projects that change the structure of your home – especially if you are gutting everything and doing a complete design overhaul. You likely won’t need an architect for smaller remodels that don’t involve structural changes.
Do I need an architect for a bathroom remodel?
No, an interior designer is best for most bathroom remodels. If you are making significant structural changes to your bathroom, consider hiring an architect.
Do I need an architect for a kitchen remodel?
You likely don’t need an architect for a kitchen remodel. An architect designs the layout of your kitchen but doesn’t typically design kitchens. For that, you’ll want a kitchen designer. They’ll ensure that you have a beautiful, practical kitchen that you’ll love. From cabinet sizes to paint color, kitchen designers focus on the smaller details. Whereas an architect focuses on the big picture.
Do I legally need an architect?
Most residential homes do not require an architect. Check with your local building department to make sure your area is not an exception. Commercial projects have stricter requirements. Depending on the type of building, its safety requirements, and its size, an architect may be required by law.
What are builders’ work drawings?
Builders’ work drawings are a part of house plans. These drawings include HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and firefighting systems. They also include any openings in walls or the foundation and equipment that must be installed.
How much does it cost for a floor plan?
A draftsperson charges between $50 and $130 per hour according to HomeAdvisor. They typically cost between $500 to $2,500 depending on the size and complexity of the room or rooms.
What are as-built drawings?
As-built drawings are plans that reflect any modifications made to construction projects. This allows contractors and clients to keep track of changes to the original design from start to finish. They are not typically required for homeowners but can be beneficial in planning future projects.
What is an as-built fee?
An as-built fee is the price to make the as-built drawing after a project has been completed. These typically cost between $1 to $2 per square foot or 1% to 2% of the total project cost.
Do I need as-built drawings?
As-built drawings are generally not needed for homeowners. But they can be helpful if you want to make large-scale renovations to your home. It makes renovation easier to plan with an up-to-date drawing of the foundation of your home.
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