What could co wrong when hiring an Architect?

 In our seven years of practice, we’ve never had an issue so far. However, this unfortunately is not the case for everyone when hiring an architect. We believe the best way to avoid issues is to do your research and be prepared for all possible scenarios. This what risk mitigation is all about: being two steps ahead and always bearing in mind that humans occasionally make mistakes, even the ones with the highest standards.

Budget Management and Priorities

Whether the project is large or small, there is always a budget constraint, and we cannot have it all. A construction or building projects´ budget can be allocated in different ways, and for different things depending on your priorities.

Some clients might require a more practical approach to architectural design. While others may be risk averse and want to allocate more budget into risk mitigation measures to avoid issues during the construction and architectural design process. For some, it may be that time is of essence, and allocating budget to ensure the deadline is met is most important priority to them.

Fundamentally, each client has different needs and priorities. This needs to be clear and agreed with your Architect to avoid spending money on things that are not important to you to invest in the ones that are.

It is normal that you and your architect’s priorities may not always be aligned. It is your architect’s duty to find out what these are and stick to them.

Availability , workload - timelines, deadlines and agenda:

Some architects tend to take more workload than they can deliver. On top of this, project schedules do not always run smoothly as there are many moving parts, with an agenda and workflow that is often dependant on others (consultants, approvals) .

When hiring an architect, clarify whether it is feasible to deliver the project within your timeline and that they have the resources to do so. It is important that this is in writing, alongside identifying the risks that could impact the timeline. This becomes in essence a written contact that specifies the architect’s fees, scope of work, and a timeline in which this scope of services will be delivered.

Planning Consent, Feasibility and Managing Expectations

From our experience, potential clients with ideas or building projects that aren’t 100% feasible are usually due to their expectations on budget, time, planning approval, and eventually, technical viability.

 Understandably, often clients are excited with their plans, and it is tempting for us to be too positive or optimistic. You do not want to be the one that tells the client that what they want to do might not be possible in the terms they want, especially while your competition might be telling them something different.

Identifying the Scope of Service

Another key mistake to avoid when hiring an architect is to fail to agree a detailed scope of service. Simply put: a breakdown of what’s included and what isn’t.

 Architectural services and the scope of work is generally difficult to understand for people outside of the profession. In every RIBA stage there are complex tasks, plans, schedules, and actions that must be completed.

 A detailed breakdown of what is included in a fee proposal is crucial - if not, then it should be assumed it’s not included. Quotations that are underestimated without a detailed breakdown of services do not mean much contractually. By ensuring a detailed scope of service, you are taking crucial risk mitigation measures to prevent costly issues further down the line.

Additional Work also known as ¨Variations¨

If additional work is required, but was not included in the scope of service, this will be charged as a “variation”. You should be clear in advance with your architect where and when there is a risk of additional work required. “Variations” are charged on a time basis per hour, which usually starts at £70/h, up to £140/h, so can lead to painful unexpected costs if not managed.

Schedules of Payment

As part of your risk mitigation measures when hiring an architect, it is important you understand the terms of payment. Some construction and architectural firms may ask for deposits, while others may not.

The Team, Point of Contact and Main Form of Contact at an Architectural Firm:

Ensuring excellent communication is vital to the success of all architectural projects, but especially in medium sized practices. Typically, while you are potential clients in the initial stages, you will deal with the Director. When you become a client, your project might be passed to a team, which could include a Senior Architect and a couple of Junior Architects. Make sure you know who your point of contact will be, who will develop the design, schedules, documents etc, and crucially, who will be dealing with the builders/contractors onsite and offsite

Design Approach Clashes

 There are many ways to approach a project from a design and aesthetic point of view. This is one of the most exciting elements of working with an architect to bring your project to life. Key to the success of this is to make sure you and your architect are aligned in the design approach and the objective is clear.

Clients´ ¨Homework¨

Sometimes an architectural project will require your input and availability. For some clients who do not have the time, this can become an issue. To avoid issues such as this occurring, it is important to clarify and agree your involvement in the project from the start.

Due Diligence on an Architect

Ask for ideally at least two references when hiring an architect. Talk openly with your potential architect about the experience and acumen they have, and how they would accomplish what you want to achieve. Due diligence questions for an architect should include: are they RIBA registered? What Professional Indemnity Insurance they have? etc. You can check our video interview testimonials series here.