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 The Hills, TX 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 10, 2025

Reviewed in June 2024
Zachary went over and above with the services I received... he does everything. He always kept me informed and was always punctual. Would never think twice about using his assistance.
ZRC Designs, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2023
Ruben is great. He’s a good listener and has an intuitive sense of design. He works efficiently & and delivers as promised. Highly recommend.
Ruben Cantu Design & Drafting Services
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Reviewed in July 2010
They are very good and easy to work with. They are tolerant and made the changes that we wanted in the initially plan. They worked with us really well. They are close to completing the plan.
Cornerstone Group Architects
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Reviewed in July 2011
C Reese Design - Architects and Building Design She helped me to design our house architecturally wise, and drew it out on plans. I liked everything about her, there wasn't a single thing that I disliked. Always prompt, asked questions, if she had any she wouldn't hesitate to call or...
C Reese Design
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Reviewed in October 2005
FABULOUS EXPERIENCE. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS FIRM IS GREAT. THE ARCHITECT I WORKED WITH, REBECCA DEVINE, DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB. SHE CAME OVER AND SPOKE WITH ME ABOUT THE WORK I WANTED DONE, HAD A GREAT INTUITIVE SENSE OF WHAT I WANTED AND MADE IT HAPPEN...ON TIME!
MELL LAWRENCE ARCHITECTS
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Reviewed in May 2014
I have worked with quite a few Architects over the years and Daniel Boardman was extremely accommodating. He is concerned with your ideas and wants not HIS ideas about what you should do. He stayed within budget, made fantastic recommendations for designs, and was available for all kinds...
Daniel Boardman Residential Design
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Reviewed in August 2017
Bob was great. He was once a builder which was a huge help. We worked with 2 architects who were coming up with ideas that were simply unrealistic. Who needs 16 ft ceilings in their master bath? Bob was able to take our crazy plans and turn them into something that made sense and that we could...
House Plans Etc
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Reviewed in June 2009
I am so glad that I did this. The drawings are great and they are to scale. The can be sent right to architects for us to start a dialogue about what I can build. The drawings also place the significant trees and outbuildings so I can see what would be too tight to alter. Francis was great to...
TexDraft, LLC
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