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 Orchard Lake, MI 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 August 2009
James Dudzinkski agreed that my builder did EVERYTHING correctly and there was absolutely no basis for the inspector's comments or concerns. He followed up with a phone call to the inspector and then drafted a letter detailing his findings and assessment which allowed me to receive final...
James Dudzinski Architect
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Reviewed in September 2013
I contacted the architect via e-mail, and I got an immediate response. He came out 3 days later per our agreement with our schedules, and talked to us for about 2 hours and a week later we had drawings for detailed trusses and hge also provided code requirements for windows and crawl spaces...
Robert Lipka & Associates
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Reviewed in July 2016
We hired Scott Koch as the architect for the kitchen remodel on our recently purchased home. Scott was the original architect on our home when it was built in 2000. Scott was highly professional, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable about his craft. We went into the project with some strong...
Scott D Koch Architect LLC
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Reviewed in July 2014
Innitally i would have said fine. As the house was built if failed inspection because the architect (Stephen Auger and Associates) failed to design the house to basic building code. They labeled a basement window as an egress window which did not meet the code requirements. The exact windows...
STEPHEN AUGER & ASSOC
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Reviewed in October 2012
My wife and I decided it was time for a new kitchen. Many years ago I personally did kitchen renovations in other homes we owned but this time we wanted a professional to do it and we wanted to have the complete experience. We hope to live in the home for many more years so we were open...
ANGELINI & ASSOC
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Reviewed in March 2012
My husband and I were very concerned about the settling that was happening in our house. We bought the house 7 years prior and there was lots of cracking taking place in the ceiling and walls. The cracking was getting worse with time. We were to the point where we were thinking of moving because...
Johnston Design Inc
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Reviewed in November 2012
I needed architectural design assistance on a kitchen and living room project in a 1958 4-bedroom ranch. I had hired two "designers" previously (not associated with Angies' List), but they both turned out to be builders in architect's clothing. They wanted to design the job for cheap ($600...
Arcbazar Inc
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Reviewed in December 2020
When my wife and I first decided to completely remodel our home several years ago, we planned to interview three architects. Michael was the first on our schedule, and as soon as he left our house, I told my wife there was no need to interview anyone else, so we cancelled the other two...
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCE
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