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 October 25, 2007

Home Architects Are Not Only for the Rich
In a time when tract homes and carbon-copy subdivisions that define our suburban landscapes, an architect-designed home may seem completely out of reach to some who want their dream home to be different. Savvy individuals will find that there are ways for non-billionaires to find and hire an architect while keeping constructions costs down, and build the unique home of their dreams.
Randall Mars of Randal Mars Architects in McLean, Virginia states that for those on a tight budget, hiring an architect may mean forgoing on working with a superstar designer or perhaps trimming back on the overall square footage of their home. They may also trim overall costs by opting to install standard windows, doors, sinks and roofs.

Architects charge their clients in different ways. The more common method is to charge a percentage of the final cost of the home- usually from 7% to 20%. Keep in mind costs can escalate during the construction process.

Other architects charge hourly rates for their work; sometimes between $50 and $200 per hour. Others charge a flat fee which is based on the projected cost of the home. Many clients tend to prefer these payment approaches, noting that an architect will have less incentive to keep costs down if their payment is based on the final cost of the home.

Interested clients who do not have the means to hire a partner in an architectural firm would be wise to consider a younger architect who is talented, yet less experienced. One other option is to hire a private practitioner that works out of his or her home. These architects tend to charge lower fees due to lower overhead costs.

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