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Hello All,

How do architects go about charging for their services (per sft, lumpsum etc)?
ex: I wish to build a house on 2000 sft site of around 1500 carpet area - how much would an arch charge as service for this kind of work?

Are there any good Architects (not those high flying but some one who can relate & appreciate middle class aspirations and cost constraints) who are specialize in 'green design' in Bangalore?

regards,
Madhu

Dear madhu

there is no standard rates for architectural consultancy. It all depends on how is your rapport with the consultant and your bargaining ability.

Generally these consultants starts quoting minimum of 5% (and above) of the total cost of the project.

Say you are going to construct a 10 sq house and the cost per square is 1.5 lakhs, they demand you Rs. 75,000/- as their consultancy charges. They say they give weekly and need basis visits to the site, guide the civil persons at each and every steps, ensure to maintain the high quality raw materials, quality....blah, blah.....etc. and they may even force you to pay their charges upfront one time. So don't get fooled blindly. By chance believing their colorful words, if you pay them upfront, you'll be royally screwed.

Better go by those who have availed such services and their experience, and based ontheir recommendation, you can choose a descent architect and you need to make a good study of the architects backgrounds and preferably visit the projects he has handled earlier and only if you are satisified with his skillset and the owner's opinion, select him and based on your ability you can bring down their charges to as low as even to 1% also or you can fix a descent amount like Rs. 15,000 to 50,000 based on your area of construction and quality and amenities you are adopting.

as i said, there is no hard bound chart for their services.

Hi Marur,
Architects fee is not standard in the market. There are people who give you design just for 1% and also for 12%. True architecture is not just about 4 walls, doors and windows. It is the way to express a form & functionality together.
For a person who is not keen about design will never be ready to spend money for it. He will be happy with a stereo type plan. Person who is interested in designer they spend money for it.
A simple example is you get a shirt for 100/- and the same very functional shirt you get for 3000/- in a good brand, the difference is the design & quality.
Coming to quality of services there are good and bad in any industry, you need to check it by looking at the projects, talk to their clients etc....
Before you finalize check with the scope of work an architect gives you, the fee structure will vary depending up on his scope.
There are various items that come in to architects scope.
1.1 Preliminary inventory and analysis of site.
1.2 Taking Client's instructions and preparation of design brief.
1.3 Final draft sketch and Client's approval. Preparation of drawings for
approval from statutory.
1.4 Structural design
1.5 Electrical, Sanitary & Plumbing design.
1.6 Detailed costing estimates and specifications.
1 .7 Tendering and appointment of contractor.
1.8 Structural inspections at every level by qualified structural consultant
1.9 Detail drawings for grills, flooring, kitchen, railings, toilet tile patterns, color patterns etc…..
2.0 Material selections and finalization of designs
2.1 Periodic inspection and evaluation of Construction Works.
2.2 Quality checks and schedule follow ups
2.3 Checking and approval of contractor bills

Every architect will have his own style of designing, ask any architect for client references and to show projects once you like his kind of designs. There is no use proceeding with a person without liking his style of designs.
There are many diploma civil guys making designs, for lesser cost you can get plans from them.
The most important thing one should know there is a difference between civil engineer and architect.
Architect is specialized in planning, designing, esthetics etc….
Civil engineer is specialized in structural design like column sizes, slab steel etc….

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N (Architect)
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchiects@yahoo.co.in

Could we consider the following case and comment as to will it work?

Owner of the house is well versed with latest trends and has almost zero'ed on how each portion of the house should look like/quality of tiles/switches/interiors/ Also he can read the structural plan given by the engineer.
Also owner has his father who can monitor the work and also he can understand the structural plans and is well versed with construction process.
In this case can we have following arrangement?
a) Get the design done by an architect, who can implement our requirements and also add something extra.
b) Get the architect to give us the 3D model and also the structural plan.
c) Get a good labour contractor.
d) Arrange for good material.
e) Take the service of the architect at crucial stages, like mould, pillar marking, internal stairs, partition walls and pay him on per visit basis.

In this case i think we can save a lot without compromising on aesthetics and quality.
Any comments?
Thanks

Do we get Architects who can charge us only for the following, but stay with us till the completion of the project
a) For getting 3D model and structural diagrams with every detail --> Fees need to be paid for this service.
b) Visits to the site place when the construction is in progress as and when the site owner requests --> Per visit fees.

or can we agree on lumpsum amount and guide us throughout the project??

Which is better?
Thanks

Hi,Dream home
An architect’s fee includes design and post design works.
Part-1 is to design and prepare drawings for the approved design
Part-2 is to co-ordinate with client, contractor, and sub-contractor to execute the design as it is.
Many people want to take part-2 in to their scope with some support from architect. This is very much possible. Instead of architect spending time, you are investing your own time.

First thing one should understand that plan and 3d are not separate. The building external look varies with your kind of planning. In case you want to get only 3d done, you can’t expect great looks, since the plan may not support for all kind of designs.

Yes ,you opt up to design services and then pay architect per visit as and when you need.

regards
Ar.praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@yahoo.co.in