FAQs
   
  
Here are some of the questions most commonly asked by people considering hiring an architect.

How do I go about selecting an architect?

Choosing an Architect is one of the most important decisions to be made in starting a new building.  Architect selection should be made based on a variety of factors. Firm experience, familiarity with the project type and  size, availability of personnel, design and technical capabilities as well as personal compatibility are all factors that should be considered.  When searching for an architect contact others who have designed similar facilities and find out who they contacted and why. Contact the local AIA offices and ask the director for the names of firms suitable for the project. Find out who designed any buildings that you find appealing to you. You may also want to talk to family, friends or business associates for referrals. Once you have assembled a list of names contact a few of the firms that seem most appropriate and find out how they would approach your project. Ask to see previous work, discuss the particluars of your project and ask any additional questions that you may have. Based on this information you can come to a final decision on which firm to work with.

When is the right time to get the Architect involved with my project?

Ideally it is best to get the Architect involved in a project as early as possible. The Architect can help evaluate building sites, provide information on existing zoning and code requirements, give preliminary ideas on construction costs, answer general questions pertaining to the project,  and possibly identify advantages or drawbacks associated with various options associated with a given project.

Are there any projects that are required by law to be designed by an Architect?

Yes. Basically any apartment or multifamily dwelling over 16 units or 2 stories in height, commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet or 2 stories in height, public buildings (in Texas) exceeding $100,000 initial construction cost and any institutional residential facilities are all required to be designed by a licensed architect.

Why should I use an architect for my project? Why not use a plan service, Designer or General Contractor to provide plans?

Plan services and designers may have standard plans or various degrees of custom plans that can be modified for each project. Their services usually begin and end with the design and drafting of constructions plans. For Owners who have a typical site or may not be interested in spending the time, money and effort it takes to design from scratch this is the approach to take.

On the other hand, General contractors are in the business of building. If they provide plans they typically have in-house designers or will hire an Architect. The disadvantage is that the Owner has no one to independently evaluate the work done under the Builders direction. There may be some initial cost savings but these are realized at the expense of quality control.

By using an architect you have flexibility to bid the job to a number of qualified builders or negotiate with the builder of your choice. In addition, Architects are specifically trained to evaluate individual factors and come up with solutions that are unique and appropriate to different projects. The Architect can also help the Owner by providing a wide range of services in addition to basic design and drafting.