What can I expect my architect to do for my home project?

<div>While you might think that architects only draw blueprints for buildings, they are much more involved in the overall construction process than you might realize. While they aren’t the ones swinging the hammers, architects do the following: <ul><li>Communicate with the homeowner on the project request, including assistance when exact plans aren’t known</li><li>Develop computer-aided models and blueprints of the requested design</li><li>Ensure that the design incorporates form, function, and safety features</li><li>Provide the contractor with the agreed-upon design</li><li>Supervise the general contractor and any subcontractors throughout the project</li><li>Communicate any needed changes to the project with the homeowner and draw new plans accordingly</li></ul></div>

What questions should I ask my architect?

<div>Before settling on and hiring an architect, it’s beneficial to you as a homeowner to ask some questions to familiarize yourself with their work. After all, you wouldn’t want to spend time and resources on a professional that doesn’t specialize in exactly what you want in a house. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/7-questions-ask-architect.htm">Some questions to ask your architect</a> include: <ul><li>How do you charge for services? Is it on an hourly basis, based on square footage, or based on project size?</li><li>How do we work together to stay on budget for this project?</li><li>Do you anticipate any future challenges with this project? How are these communicated?</li><li>What is your project management style? If you are not handling the day-to-day details, who is my point of contact? </li><li>Can I see previous similar projects that you’ve completed?</li><li>Do you have any specialty experience, like working on historic homes or using sustainable building materials?</li></ul></div>

How much does it cost to hire an architect?

<div>The <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-architect-cost.htm">average cost to hire an architect</a> for your home project ranges between $2,200 and $10,500. However, depending on location and project type, you might end up paying as little as $600 or as much as $45,000 or more. For example, the average cost of hiring an architect in North Carolina is between $1,800 and $2,000, but in California, that price tag jumps to $3,600 to $15,200. The price you pay for your architect also depends on their experience level. For example, a principal architect, the firm's owner, typically charges $150 to $250 per hour. However, an intern architect with three to five years of experience usually only charges $45 per hour. </div>

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Q: What questions should I ask my architect?

<div>Before settling on and hiring an architect, it&rsquo;s beneficial to you as a homeowner to ask some questions to familiarize yourself with their work. After all, you wouldn&rsquo;t want to spend time and resources on a professional that doesn&rsquo;t specialize in exactly what you want in a house. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/7-questions-ask-architect.htm">Some questions to ask your architect</a> include: <ul><li>How do you charge for services? Is it on an hourly basis, based on square footage, or based on project size?</li><li>How do we work together to stay on budget for this project?</li><li>Do you anticipate any future challenges with this project? How are these communicated?</li><li>What is your project management style? If you are not handling the day-to-day details, who is my point of contact? </li><li>Can I see previous similar projects that you&rsquo;ve completed?</li><li>Do you have any specialty experience, like working on historic homes or using sustainable building materials?</li></ul></div>

Q: How long does it take for an architect to draw up house plans?

<div>After you&rsquo;ve spoken with your contractor and agreed on a project, they&rsquo;ll draw up blueprints, or plans, that the construction crew will use. The blueprint process can take between four and six months to complete. While this can seem like a long time, remember that the architect must communicate with your municipality to determine codes, communicate with you as the homeowner with any changes or adjustments, and coordinate with the construction crew. If you simply remodel your home or add an addition, the time to draw up the plans will be shorter since fewer permits and surveys are required. Even still, it&rsquo;s best to plan for a few months for the architect to complete this part of the project. </div>

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*The Angi rating for Architectural Service companies in Parole, MD is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Architectural Service needs.

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Last update on April 28, 2025

Reviewed in April 2013
He is quite responsive and was willing to go look at properties for me when I was still living in Arizona. I was looking at a couple of different possible property to pick up and wanted his opinion on it and he drove out there and checked them out. He is very knowledgeable.
Brennan + Company Architects
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Reviewed in April 2013
Robert is not a licensed architect, however, does excellent schematic design of the building at economical price that met the company's needs. He do hire an architect, engineer, and builder when necessary on the next step and we trust him to hire his team. He is an excellent designer and is...
Robert Nichols
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Reviewed in May 2014
He is not like most architects and was hands on throughout the project and help in any way possible. He helped me in choosing color, cabinets and hardware selections for the renovation.
Patrick Jarosinski and Associates
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Reviewed in September 2021
I have used an architect in the past for major renovations at my house. Unfortunately, he passed away so I needed to find a new one for the extensive renovations that I want to do at my rental house. I contacted five architects, all of whom were not interested -- probably because one phase of...
Kapital Drafting L.C.
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Reviewed in May 2014
Mr. Little came over to check out our project ideas and land layout. We gave Mr. Little our sketch of the floor plan for our addition. In less than a week, we had preliminary drawings. Amazing! We made changes to those plans which he, again, turned around in just days. When I emailed a few...
GBL CUSTOM HOME DESIGN INC
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Reviewed in February 2009
I estimated that it would take 4-5 weeks to prepare design and blueprints. Due to procrastination, higher priority (better paying?) jobs, and computer assisted design (CAD) problems, it actually took over 3 months. When the design was finally approved by us and final drawings were to be...
MORGAN DESIGN GROUP ARCHITECTS
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Reviewed in November 2015
Company did a superb job. We bid the project and company submitted lowest bid. Worked extremely well with us and our architect. Identified problems with plans and provided cost effective solutions. Very responsive and superb quality. Has a terrific network of quality subs as well. Has remained...
Wittelsberger Company Residential Construction
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Reviewed in March 2014
We were exploring the feasibility of adding on to my 90'ish year old house to better accommodate our 3 generation family. In the end, we decided not to proceed at all. We interviewed several architects. All seemed very good. All came to my house to discuss, but this company had interesting,...
Transforming Architecture
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Reviewed in October 2005
I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME OF WEIDEMANN ARCHITECTS' WORK. THE WHOLE PROCESS TOOK 2 YEARS BETWEEN THE INITIAL PLANNING AND COMPLETION AND DURING THIS TIME THE FIRM'S PRINCIPAL AND ASSOCIATE WERE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO BOTH MYSELF AND OUR BUILDERS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. THE FIRM FOUND THE...
WIEDEMANN ARCHITECTS LLC
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Reviewed in September 2007
I don t remember what she charged us for the completed blueprints, but I do remember it was very reasonable. She is a fantastic architect and very detail oriented. The work she did had to include the tearing down of an old farm house and grading the ground all the while working within the area s...
DEBORAH M SCHWAB LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
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