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 Olympia, WA 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 August 2013
That was fine. It was done as advertised. It was done in a timely manner and everything was appropriate. The deal was the same as the final cost. I never had any problems or complaints.
Eric Gedney Architect
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Reviewed in April 2019
We hired Char to help us design an addition to our home in Burien, WA. Our addition adds a 300 sq. ft master suite to our 1100 sq. ft house. Char built our trust quickly. She listened carefully to our concerns, and used her own creativity to make huge improvements to our original plans. Our...
DesignWorks NW
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Reviewed in August 2019
My contact with Mark was somewhat limited because he was the junior architect on the team that built my house, but I had multiple interactions with him in that capacity. I enjoyed working with Mark. He is smart and conscientious and seemed consistently prepared with the tasks that he had been...
MNichols Design
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Reviewed in May 2014
We didn't find them through Angie's List. They've been referred and we just checked Angie's List to find some additional information. Overall, we've been pleased and very happy. What's very good is the attention to detail and the high quality work.
Thielsen Architects
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Reviewed in June 2007
Paul is a great architect and very easy to work with. He is very friendly and worked with us to achieve what we wanted. Our contractor had never worked with Paul before but hopes to work with him again because he provided just the right amount of detail in his plans and was easy to get along...
Whitney Architecture
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Reviewed in March 2011
His name is Jeff Moffatt and he has done very well. He delivers on time and listens to what I say. He is very current on architectural methods and environmental concerns. He does a good job. I like the fact that he is creative but keeps things in the design style that I want.
Moffatt Architects
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Reviewed in April 2018
Brooks came on site for a free consultation (to replace the driveway and install a retaining wall). After assessing the site and talking to me, he got straight to the point. It wasn't worth the time, money or headaches. But then, he went on to give me idea's about what I could do instead. Brooks...
Brooks Kolb LLC
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