are architects expensive?

Are architects expensive is a common client question.  The appropriate answer is; ‘the lowest cost you accept will be the highest price you’ll ever pay’.  This response is a result of managing bid tender processes for over 30 years.

These are some of the considerations to the question are architects expensive :

1. Architects bring creative design solutions that generate higher asset values.

Architects bring a unique set of problem solving skills to the table for building budget savings and operational savings.  Furthermore, architects attribute higher asset appraisal values after practical completion and when the building goes on the real estate market.  Your building procurement strategy should be governed by how and what the real estate market buyer and the bank values.  The blend of functionality and aesthetics architects incorporate in the design result in innovative solutions with higher appraisal values.  Architectural designs that meet the client brief and aesthetic, maximize space, light, and energy will achieve higher asset valuations.

2. Architects design to the building budget.

When considering the question, are architects expensive remember that architects know how much it costs to build. The profession sees the impact of design decisions on construction sites after years of working with builders.  Architects are also legally and professionally responsible the building budget.  If an architect has a realistic budget in the brief; he is professionally liable to meet the project budget.  Alternatively, draftspersons are only employed to draw; resulting in continuing additional fees after numerous building redesigns.

3. Architects optimize cost efficiencies in building construction and building performance.

Architects blend aesthetics with functionality, resulting in a building with optimum performance.  Architects optimize energy efficient design with ventilation, sun angles, insulation, flexible furniture layouts and integrated green technologies.

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) creates generous annual monetary savings over a building’s lifecycle.

Architects understand the architectural brief and apply it in a cost-effective way.  An architect can initially foresee design impacts immediately and guide the client decision making cost effectively.  There can be many alternative solutions to meet an architectural brief that a draftsperson can miss without onsite experience.

4. Are architects expensive if they navigate planning and building permits?

Architects are trained in planning and building regulations, can negotiate zoning and make planning and building permit applications.  An architect’s efficiencies in this legislation ensures an expedited approval for the building project.  Architects ensure compliance with regulations; thereby reducing the risk of expensive delays or costly legal issues.

Clients who’ve been through years of disputes between Council or draftsperson know the answer to the question, Are architects expensive.  Any delay in not meeting council requirements results in the client paying additional draftsperson fees and sub-consultant fees.  Furthermore, the client is also encumbered with higher costs of holding the asset with additional interest payments.