Date Posted: 2012-08-29 10:03:46
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
Architects are licensed professionals who are qualified to design and provide advice on built structures. They are trained in many areas, from designing houses and landscapes to urban planning and historic preservation. Their role is holistic, blending diverse requirements and disciplines in a creative process while serving the interest of the public and addressing health and safety concerns.
Hiring an architect, however, entails a cost. An architect's professional fee depends on the type of project or service one is bound to perform. Likewise, fees vary depending on the size of the project and its geographical location, complexities of the work, and the expertise needed to perform the task.
It is, therefore, prudent to take as much time as you need to select the right architect for your home construction.
The pros of hiring a pro
The intricately designed houses you see in glossy magazines are almost always custom-designed by licensed architects. Licensed architects have completed college degree programs, lengthy firm internships, and passed a series of rigorous examinations, including that of the Professional Regulation Commission's Architect Licensure Examination (ALE).
Their practice covers many areas; thus, architects can help you in your home project from start to finish. They can sketch your home's structural design, do the drafting of blueprints, comply with the necessary legal and technical requirements, and supervise the entire building process. In addition, their eclectic discipline makes them capable of finding viable solutions to your special project requirements. They can anticipate your needs —even if you are not sure how to express or visualize them.
Here are some tips in snagging the right architect for you:
? Ask your friends and relatives if they know any good architects. They are most likely to give candid feedback on architects they know and may have even hired one for their own project. You can also seek the adviceof professional associations such the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA).
? When you come across with a potential architect, it pays if you do some investigating. Ask the architect’s current and former clients about their experiences. Visit at least one project by your prospective architect. More importantly, verify the architect's licensing and other credentials. You may visit the website of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for verification purposes.
? Choose an architect according to his or her expertise vis-a-vis your home project requirement. Take your project’s complexity into account. Architects have their individual style, approach, and field of expertise. Although, most architects nowadays are going modern or contemporary; however, there are still some who are espousing classic motifs and some who are advocating “green” concepts. In the same manner, there are architects who specialize in designing certain types of structures such as single-family dwellings or multiple residential rows, while others design a variety of condominium types.
? Consider your allotted budget for your home project. You should be curious about each prospective architect's payment options, i.e., lump-sum or fixed project fee, hourly or per diem rate, percentage of the project’s construction cost, or combination of the aforesaid payment schemes. Select the option that will work best for you, and tailor-fit the payment contact to suit your project's unique circumstances.
Regardless of whether your home project is big or small, expensive or thrifty, choosing an architect doesn't need to be daunting. Architects can make your home better and your life easier.
If your project is frugal, must you hire a pro?
Not all constructions need the services of an architect, particularly if you are simply embarking on a “traditional indigenous type of dwelling” construction, according to the Building Code of the Philippines. But other than that, it seems that architects (if not civil engineers) are needed, at all times, when it comes to architectural and structural works and designs.
In the event, however, that you opt not to hire an architect for your home construction due to budget constraint, you may use one of these cost-saving alternatives:
? Work with a home builder. Home builders, generally, construct on properties they own. They have contracted with licensed architects to create housing designs suitable for the location of their residential projects. All you need to do is to select one of the builder's offered plans. You, then, customize the plan by choosing exterior siding, light fixtures, bay windows, and other architectural features from a menu of options. Nonetheless, your home will be assembled from a limited array of standard features. The builder may refuse, or charge highly for, any significant changes that are not on the established list of options.
? Purchase a catalog plan or stock building plan.Catalog plans are pre-drawn building plans by architects that you can order from magazines, property listings, and the websites. Most home builders also offer such plans, which is known as stock building plans, where you can choose home designs from a wide variety of sizes, styles, and budgets. These catalog plans or stock building plans, however, are not designed to suit your specific needs. You may eventually resort to hiring an architect if you want to make modifications.
? Find a stock blueprint similar to your intended house construction.Changing an existing plan is always less expensive than designing a house from scratch. You may be able to hire a building expert (e.g., civil engineer) to make alterations. But be careful, though. Because most architects’ designs are protected by copyright. You may end up paying a fee, just the same, to acquire the right to use the blueprint.
Do you think you can't afford an architect?
Just remember that architects do more than drawings and sketches. They are in the best position to minimize construction costs (by choosing the appropriate construction materials); reduce the completed project’s energy consumption (by designing efficient lighting and ventilation); and physically manifest the vision you have in mind. In addition, your architect will visit your building site to observe the direction of the sun and the placement of trees and other tall structures within the vicinity in order to determine the appropriate views for your home.
Even if you are working within a tight budget, it does not make good economical sense to cut corners on construction and design. The best thing to do is finding, selecting, and engaging the right architect for your home project. Your chosen architect must bring value to your project by taking care of your interests, helping you avoid costly mistakes, and ensuring that the completed project meets your desired outcome.
About the Author
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Ludwig Ritchel A. Kalambacal is the Editor in Chief of Archikonst —the Philippines' longest-running architecture and construction magazine. He is also a freelance writer who has contributed articles to various publications and composed copies for several advertisements. Feel free to send him an email at lrakalambacal@gmail.comor visit his website at www.kalman-chronicle.blogspot.com.
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