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our house under construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire an Architect?
How much will my project cost?
What about engineering consultants?
What about Interior Design services?
How long will it take to get drawings?
What Architect should we hire?
Why should I hire an Architect?
The following is an article written by Eileen Moore Koenigsberg and published in Welcome Home, Mountain Living Directory and Magazine, March 2007, supplement to the Mountain Connection
Why Hire an Architect? What can they do for you and your house?
Whether you are contemplating renovating, adding on, or building a new home, an architect can help you in many ways. You may know that an architect or engineer are usually required to design and stamp your framing and foundation plans and energy analysis for an addition or new construction. However, an architect can be employed to do much more than this.
There are three main considerations of focus: the outward appearance or aesthetics of the house, the flow of the plan and spaces inside, and the building orientation and response to the site. By resolving these thoughtfully, you can have a well-designed house that serves you successfully for many years.
Orientation, site access, parking and turnarounds with the topography, view, sun and wind are all important in planning a new house. Sometimes front doors to houses have direct access, good protection from the elements, and are easy to recognize. Sometimes they are not. You might find yourself wondering, "Where am I supposed to park? Which door should I go to? Am I really supposed to walk through the garage?" In these cases, it's obvious that the entry wasn't well-planned.
Also, orienting your building to take advantage of the sun and the views is key. With the rising costs of energy and the desire to tread more lightly on the earth, this is a growing interest. I have seen houses without any windows to the south but many to the north, making for a very cold space, needing lots of supplemental heat. I've seen houses with walls of windows to the west and no protection from the sun, the owners fighting the build-up of heat and complaining of the costs to cool the space. An architect can save you money in energy costs in smart, responsive design.
Another common thing is house designs with plan problems. I have seen closets by doors that are never used as front entries while there's no closet at the actual front entrance. Or exterior doors leading nowhere, while areas that are begging for a door to the deck have only windows. An architect can solve a floor plan like a parent untangling a knot in a child's shoelace. They think spatially and are trained to think about all the different aspects inherent within a space. They consider traffic flow, function, proportion and size, relationships of spaces, structure, time of day of use, lighting, heating, cooling, plumbing and other amenities needed as well as aesthetics.
Style and aesthetics are certainly up to the owner's preference. A good architect can design the look and feel of whatever you desire, no matter if you love mountain contemporary, log, traditional, southwest, or something completely different. Communicating your needs and wants are key, and keeping an open mind for a better solution than you had ever imagined will serve you well with your architect and your house project.
How much will my project cost?
Project costs will vary depending upon the project type, degree of complexity and finish levels. For example, a house addition without plumbing will be much less expensive to build than an addition that has two bathrooms. Similarly, a kitchen remodel that uses existing utilities will cost less than a kitchen that requires new utility connections.
Another factor that can reduce cost is homeowner involvement. If you are willing to do a great deal of the work yourself, you can save substantially. Labor is the biggest cost for any building project.
As a general rule of thumb, we usually estimate new construction at around $200 per square foot. Remodels generally cost $175 / sf and basement finishes are approximately $75 / sf. Labor is approximately 2/3 of the cost, or twice as much as the materials. A contractor can also provide more detailed estimates.
Again, the design fee for the project will depend upon the scope. A simple design and project scope will result in a lower design fee. The more complex a project is, the more time it will take to design. For residential projects, Architects generally charge between 5% and 10% of the final construction cost for the design and documentation fee. On commercial projects, the fee is usually around 4% to 7%, again depending on the size and scope.
Also, if you are comparing the fees of different architects, make sure you understand the scope being provided by each. Going with the one you like the least because they are cheaper may not be the smartest choice, for they might not be providing the full architectural services. When in doubt, ask questions.
What about engineering consultants?
Architects often rely on structural engineers to design the structure of the building, which will be an additional cost which varies depending on the complexity. Civil engineers are usually hired to design the driveway and any complex grading needed. Electrical and mechanical engineers may also be needed, although this is usually only for more complex commercial projects.
What about Interior Design services?
Some architects are comfortable offering interior design services, while others prefer you use an outside consultant. Moore Koenigsberg Architecture likes to be involved with interior design services with regard to picking out light fixtures, tile, stone, floor finishes, cabinetry, wood, plumbing fixtures, and even hardware and cabinet pulls. Often this is seen as an additional fee. If you want help with draperies, furniture, rugs and movable furnishings, this is usually not included unless specifically requested.
How long will it take to get drawings?
Allow time for design, it really is the groundwork. The architect should be able to let you know how long they estimate it will take, depending on their schedule, your schedule and the scope of the project. Obviously, starting from scratch is more complicated than only adding a solarium on one side of your existing house, and so the more complex, the more time it will take. If you have a deadline you want to meet (for example, construction completed by Thanksgiving next fall) then relay this and make sure everyone is working toward this end.
There are specific phases an architect will go through when designing a project. These are outlined as Programming and Conceptual Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation, Bidding and Negotiation, and Construction Administration. Full services include these phases.
What Architect should we hire?
It is a good practice to meet with two or three architects to find one that you like and one with which you feel comfortable. They should be able to listen to your ideas with an open mind and be able to organize your desires into a program or a "design problem" they will then solve. It is good to see some examples of the variety of projects they have done and a list of references. Take advantage of these references, give them a call to chat about their experience. Personally, we think you should hire Moore Koenigsberg Architecture, they're the best!