Call your local AIA (American Institute of Architects)
office and ask to review several residential architects websites or portfolios.
Call the ones who you like the spaces they have photographed.
Ask for a couple references from each,
and ask how they structure their fees.
It is worth hiring them to come to your home to consult on the scope of your project,
and your expectations.
An architect is trained to provide many many types of consulting services,
and you will want to be involved in figuring out which ones you really need.
Some architects will initially consult for free,
more like a meeting/interview.
If they need to research your project in order to fully discuss it with you--on issues such as zoning or building code to do what you are requesting,
expect to pay them their hourly rate.
Once the consultation is over,
and you have picked your architect,
you can expect them to be able to provide information to a contractor to set a budget for your project,
or to figure out how much you can do for your fixed budget.
An architect can help you decide how to phase a project so you can build it over time.
A way to limit the architects time,
so as to not pay them for something you will not be able to afford,
is to work with ballpark numbers based on cost per square foot,
and then add a large contingency to the budget for changes in scope,
or issues that will come up that cannot be anticipated.
A contractor who does work similar to what you think you want will help you and your architect with that info.
The architect will know contractors that can perform this service.
You may either pay up front for that info,
so as to not be beholden to them to give them the job,
if you intent to bid out the project,
OR it is great to hire a contractor at the same time as the architect,
and work with them to set and maintain the construction budget,
in which case they may not build you for this service.
(Other sources for this info are your local building department which may have an average cost per square foot figure to set the permitting fees,
or the master builders association can set you up with average cost per square foot for renovations.
You will find the range SO BIG however,
that you will have not much use for the info.)
construction costs vary greatly regionally,
since labor is such a big part of it,
and labor rates are tied into cost of living and demand.
Once the construction budget is set,
the architect can involve you at great length on every decision,
requiring lots of meetings,
options,
sketches,
models,
discussions,
and visits to similar spaces,
or they can work a little more independently to accomodate your needs based on meeting good real estate investment practices for quality,
layout,
and materials,
keeping them consistant with your neighborhood or market to insure your property value is maximized.
Since time is money,
the architect will base an estimate of a total fee for their contract based on an agreement with you on how you want to work,
proposing a fee by time and materials,
or fixed fee,
or guaranteed maximum fee,
depending on how they and you want to proceed.
Some architects will work for a percentage of construction cost,
and will work to limit their involvement at each stage to make sure they can succeed on that fee.
The planning of your renovation project is usually divided into project phases:
schematic design (scope and big ideas,
budget setting),
design development (layouts,
materials,
lighting,
windows,
cabinetry,
aesthetics),
construction documents (finalizing the drawings for construction and permitting),
and construction itself (reviewing work,
answering questions,
resolving field conditions).
The architect may advise bringing in a structural engineer,
heating and air conditioning consultant,
lighting consultant,
or other specialist based on your project.
The amount of involvement you want,
or customization you want (ie a wall of lighted niches for your blown glass art collection,
or a full spa and massage room)
and the amount of changes your current property requires to accommodate the renovation,
including structure,
electrical,
plumbing,
etc,
will affect the amount of time the architect spends,
and therefore the overall fee.
Generally more expensive materials require more custom detailing,
which is why a cost based on percentage of construction cost is sometimes used.
So,
in short,
your architect`s fee will range from a week`s worth of time for say $5,000,
to put a dormer with a bathroom in it on your attic,
to 15% of your $250 per sf project,
which if sized at 1000 sf would be $37,500.
Or,
if you want to work developing options and designs for 3 months,
with the architect and one staff person working full time,
and then draw detailed pricing documents for all the options to get really exact pricing from contractors because you cant decide without knowing every line item of every option,
THEN document for construction and require daily site visits,
you can expect to pay a lot more.
It has SO MUCH to do with you,
the client,
and your goals,
Architecture is basically a service profession.
This is why it is seemingly hard to get an answer.
So start by finding reputable,
professionals that you trust,
ask the questions,
determine how much it is all worth to you and remember to have fun.
It is a privilege and adventure to create space!!
PS your real estate agent is a good source to see which improvements will add value to your home beyond their immediate value to you.
Once you describe your improved home to them,
and know how much it will cost you to improve it,
you can be confident about your decision to renovate!
PPS your local AIA has standard contracts between architect,
client,
contractor etc.
you will want to review one of these and be sure you sign one.
They are a great basis of discussion of fee structure,
and other project issues.
I am a Registered Architect in the state of Washington.
There are no legal initials (such as "MD" for doctor,
that a professionally licensed architect uses to identify themselves as such.
This is a shame because it causes confusion.
"AIA" refers to a professional organization that provides services to architects and their clients.
It does not indicate that an Architect is professionally licensed,
altho you must be to join the organization.
Be sure to verify that the architect is licensed in the state you are in.
It is not always required for residential work,
but it is a credibility factor that may be beneficial to your decision.
Canada
