I've never used an architect. Do I really need one?

In the state of New Jersey, a licensed architect is required for every project except for single family home occupied by the owner. For single family owner-occupied homes, the owner is responsible for their own drawings and assumes the responsibility of construction being done properly if they do not have an architect representing them. You are permitted to have work done by a contractor with no architect, but just keep in mind, the owner is always responsible for having the work completed properly, not the contractor, even if the contractor is the one producing drawings. With an architect, they assume the liability of making sure everything is designed to code. I am licensed in NJ, NY, and FL and am required to take continued education credits each year to ensure I am up to date on current techniques, materials, and building codes. 

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I want my addition completed this season. How long does the entire process take?

Most projects take weeks or months to complete. Once an architect is hired, they work with you to come up with the best concept design possible. Time for this is usually determined by the response time of the client. If approval is required by the town, you must be heard at their board meetings, which are usually held once a month. Construction document time vary based on the scope of the work, but can last an average of a few weeks to a month. A contractor can take a week or two to submit proposals for bidding. Construction time can usually last 3-5 months for an addition, for example.

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How much does an architect cost?

Every architect charges differently based on their experience, the scope of the project, some by the hour, some by the cost of construction. When shopping for an architect, ask them what they base their fees on and how experienced they are in your type of project. There is no real fee schedule architects share between each other. A good resource to get an idea of the cost of an architect is www.architecturalfees.com., but expect to pay a few thousand dollars for an addition to a few ten thousand dollars for a new home for a good architect.

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How much will my project cost?

It is hard to determine the price of a project before it is completely designed, but there are averages based on your location and type of project available. An average for NJ is about $200-$350 per square foot for new construction and about $75-$150 per square foot for renovations. After construction drawings are complete, multiple contractors can bid on your project more accurately. Make sure to chose a contractor that has experience on your type of project prior to having them bid on your project. Contact us for a free Design Fees Menu that describes our services. After our first meeting to review the requirements of your project, a formal proposal is provided.

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Where do I start?

The best way to start is to pick up the phone and call or email me. I can help you determine what kind of work you need done and help you decide who you need to hire to get your project completed successfully. Let me explain the process to you and answer any questions you may have about town ordinances, building codes, contractor bidding, etc. The first initial consultation is free!

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