Clients Need to Know

Before Getting Started How Things Work

My office has set up hourly rates along these lines:

• Owner - $175

• Project Designer - $115

• Project Manager - $95

• Drafting - $65 

1. I will treat you fairly with my fees and you’re not going to waste my time.

2. I will make myself available to you and you’re going to make yourself available to me.

3. You will tell me your “real” budget and I will be accountable for designing that meets that budget.

4. If I design that comes in over your budget, I will revise the drawings at my cost.

5. If I tell you that you have changed the program and are at risk for exceeding your budget, and you ignore this advice, you should expect to pay me to revise the drawings

6. If you tell most architects that your budget is $500,000, they will assume that this means your construction budget. Make sure that your budget includes monies for professional fees, landscaping and contingency

7. Make sure that you have a conversation in the beginning what scope your stated budget will cover. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilities Planning. Typical tasks: meets with clients to determine construction needs; develops plans for new facilities, additions, or alterations by analyzing existing spaces, and future facilities requirements; submit preliminary proposals for approval; 

2. Architectural Plans and Specifications. Typical tasks: prepares, revises, and reviews all construction drawings and specifications for approved projects including floor plans, site plans, elevations, section details, electrical, and mechanical plans; determines and specifies materials to be used; prepares contract documents used as a basis for requesting bids on projects including estimates of labor and materials to be furnished by contractor; checks all plans and specifications to ensure they meet building codes, local regulations, and energy conservation laws as well as aesthetic requirements; may assign portions of the project to be drafted by others; may use Computer Aided Design (CAD) system to prepare plans.

3. Construction Management. (Special request only. Not a typical service offered) Typical tasks: contacts local authorities to secure construction permits; observes ongoing construction projects to ensure contractors' adherence to plans and specifications; responds to problems which arise during construction by providing contractors with additional details or drawings which are needed; provides drawings when changes occur during the course of construction and adjusts contracts accordingly; reviews requests and payments to contractors at project completion points as specified in the contract.

4. Research. Typical tasks: reviews professional journals, trade publications, and manufacturers' literature to stay current on materials and practices of the construction industry; reviews government publications to keep abreast with changes and updates in building codes and regulations.