Architects can offer valuable services to clients, thanks to their diverse experience and unique knowledge. You can provide the best service to your clients by providing additional services in addition to the foundation you have already built.
Andreas Christodoulou Architectural Associates
42 Granville Place, High Road, London N12 0AX, United Kingdom
02074594359, (0) 7902 971022
BASIC SERVICES
The architect must provide basic services for each design. These services should be considered basic because the owner should expect them to be included in a standard agreement. We have covered many of these services as Design Phases, so we are only providing a general overview. The following are the most common basic services:
- Programming
- Schematic Design
- Design Development
- Construction documents
- Construction Administration
PROGRAMMING
Programming is the process of defining the scope of work that will be done. At this stage, no design is being created. To gain an understanding of your client’s problems, wants and needs, you will ask them questions. This is where the research and decision making process takes place. Although this is a consulting job, it’s important to have a list with the client’s needs and wants by the end.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
This is where you will develop the basic design of the building. You will need to do a lot more sketching than you would with formal drawings. You will need to create the floor plans, site maps, and building elevations. This will allow you to describe the entire building system (structural, mechanical and electrical) and the exterior and interior finishes. At this point, you should have a basic plan.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Once you have the basics, you can start to refine them. This phase will involve examining specific materials and evaluating their beauty, durability, price, and other factors. This is where your client will choose the materials for their countertops and shower tiles. The complete design should be available by now.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
This phase will require you to provide two sets of drawings. Construction documents will include all details and every element of the design.
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
Construction Administration is typically performed by the architect as the owner’s representative. Inspections, material testing, and size visits ensure that the contractor is following all specifications and not cutting corners.
There is much debate about whether this is a basic service or an additional one. This is a common service that architects include in their basic services. If this is a standard service, owners should discuss it with their architect. It is up to the architect whether they wish to include it. It is in the owner’s best interest to request this additional service from the architect they select. Many owners lack the skills and experience necessary to act as their own advocate during construction. An architect can guide and advise owners to ensure a successful completion of their project.
Additional Services
Additional services are those services you can offer that aren’t required to be included in a basic contract. Your clients will appreciate the additional services that you offer. You have already been awarded the job so you know that you will provide your basic services. You want to make sure that your clients get everything they need. You can also make extra money by offering additional services.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, it will help you get started on your list.
ALTERNATIVE PROJECT DELIVERY SALE
Most times, either design-bid/build or design-build are the best project delivery methods. These are the most common delivery methods, and they are well-known by contractors, owners, architects, and contractors. Sometimes, however, an alternative delivery method would be the best for a project. Perhaps the owners must follow a strict schedule or minimize changes orders.
Whatever the situation, an architect is familiar with various project delivery methods and can help choose the best one for your project. An owner should choose the delivery method for their project. However, an architect can help by providing additional services. An additional fee would then be charged.
RECORD DRAWINGS
Each property owner who owns an existing building should have drawings of the current state of the building. These drawings are useful for future development and architects often need them to begin work on a project. The owner could lose these drawings for many reasons. They will need an architect to redo the drawings if this happens.
As-built drawings are not included in record drawings. According to the Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, as-built drawings can be defined as drawings that the contractor has completed to document any modifications made during construction. As-built drawings should include the red ink changes.
Although architects sometimes used interchangeably, architects no longer recommend using the term “as-built”. As-built can lead to liability, which architects do not want. The architect cannot verify the record drawings created by architects using contractor information. Therefore, there is no risk to the architect.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Clients are increasingly asking architects to provide sustainable design services due to increasing environmental concerns. An architect may offer sustainable design services such as analyzing the impact of materials on health, design to promote well-being, ventilation and computational fluid dynamic, carbon accounting, project sustainability assessments, workshop facilitation, and LEED, BREAM and WELL. These services are not available by all architects. Any architect offering them should charge additional fees.
URBAN DESIGN
Urban design is about how buildings and structures interact to create a pleasant environment. Many architects will need to hire experts in urban planning and architecture. As the project grows in scope, the contract for architectural services can be expanded to meet the requirements and create a more comprehensive project.
BIDDING/NEGOTIATING/PRICE DISCUSSIONS
The architect is often the only person on the owner’s team who has experience building a building and the costs involved. The owner often handles the negotiations, who may have little or no experience. It is possible that they don’t know what it should cost.
An architect can help you with this. They can tell the difference between too much and too little cost. They are able to make changes that reduce costs while still maintaining the integrity of the original design. An architect can help clients who are uncomfortable with these types of negotiations.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
These services include those that the owner isn’t able to handle on their own. This could include coordinating other parties or the selection and distribution of materials.
If an architect requests to add project management as an additional service, it will typically be charged hourly. The owner and architect don’t know how the service will look throughout the project so an hourly rate rather than a flat fee would cover them.
3D RENDERINGS
Modern design software allows architects to create 3D models of their designs. This allows the owner to see how the building will look. This can be used to promote the project. Architects will often create a short film that shows a camera moving through the 3D rendering. Basic services include design drawings. However, 3D images are usually not included because they can be expensive and take longer to produce.
Clients care primarily about the final product, a clear and legible image. They don’t care much about how it was created. For architects, outsourcing rendering services to other companies is a common source for revenue.
STUDIES IN FAASIBILITY
A feasibility study is used to determine if the project is worthwhile. Architects will normally look at the location and other factors to determine whether the project will achieve the desired outcome. The feasibility study will also examine the legal rights to build the project the owner wants. A feasibility study can help owners determine if codes prevent them from building their desired things.
MIXED-USE ARCHITECTURE
If a property owner has a design in mind for a building with mixed uses, they should find an architect who is experienced in this type of design. Mixed use is a single building used as a residence, restaurant, workspace, or medical facility. People are looking for buildings that have a village feel. Urban design is often used to create micro-neighborhoods in urban areas where people don’t need to travel far to get to work or play.
SITE SELECTION
The location of a building is just as important as its design. Selecting a site is multifaceted and will vary depending on its intended use. When choosing a retail location, you will consider the local competition and the cost to live in the area. It would be a terrible idea to place a business in crowded areas with other similar businesses, or where locals can’t afford the products and services.
Single-family homes are often slightly different in the process of site selection. Most often, the land is already owned by the owner. An architect can help you locate the house in the best location on the property.
BUILDING CONDITIONAUDITS
An architect will perform a building condition audit on an existing building. An architect can assist in identifying structural problems or components that may be outside of code. An audit could ask questions such as: How is the building’s overall condition? Can the current capacity safely increased? Is the building sufficient to meet the owners’ needs and how long can it last?
FULL-TIME SITE REPRESENTATION
The basic service of construction administration is part-time site representation. The architect will not be present on the site for certain inspections, testing or supervision of sensitive construction activities.
Sometimes, an owner may need additional full-time representation. This might be necessary for legal reasons or to help with complex projects. Full-time supervision might be necessary if small errors cause major headaches or put people at risk.
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATIC
Although electrical schematics are an essential part of a building’s design, architects do not require them. These drawings are best provided by architects, who deeply understand the final layout. Clients who require electrical schematics will have to pay an additional fee.
CABINETRY ELEVATIONS
Cabinetry elevations are a more detailed drawing showing the layout and design of cabinets. Cabinetry elevations are typically very detailed and can take hours to design. This is not something required by any housing authority. As with electrical schematics and other drawings, architects can create these drawings. They will also know which cabinet configuration will work best with the overall design.
MULTIPLE CONTRACT PREPARATION
The project owner will often need to prepare multiple contracts with different entities. An architect can help you to put together these contracts. This will ensure that the contracts are more consistent. An architect can ensure that all contract components are included to make the project run smoothly.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Some architects offer in-house interior design. An architect often offers this service. The holistic approach to a project that incorporates all design elements is a benefit. This results in a more cohesive and complete final project.
We mentioned at the beginning that not all architects will include the same basic services or add-on services. Your abilities and strengths will determine what additional services you include. Each client should review the contract to ensure that they receive the services they need and the essential services they want.