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When building / adding onto a home - do you pay architect for a proposal?
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:44 am
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:44 am
We are trying to plan some major renovations to our home and are trying to get an idea of how much it will cost. We found a contractor and architect. The architect wants to charge us $100 for the initial meeting, to assess the current structure, and to put together a proposal. Is this normal? I wasn't really expecting this, especially because I was hoping to get quotes from a couple of different contractors... I wasn't prepared to spend $100 each time I want a quote.
20
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:45 am to SUB
Time is money
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:47 am to SUB
quote:
I wasn't prepared to spend $100 each time I want a quote.
You may not be prepared for a renovation
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:47 am to SUB
quote:
Time is money
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:49 am to Boudreaux35
quote:
You may not be prepared for a renovation
I'm not saying I won't pay it. I've had renovations done before, but never involved an architect. I just want to make sure this is normal practice, since I'm obviously clueless.
And I know time is money, however, businesses submit proposals to companies all the time for work, without the company spending a dime on them to do it.
This post was edited on 8/14/15 at 10:51 am
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:51 am to SUB
For a quote, you owe nothing. For any work done, you are on the clock.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:51 am to SUB
depends on the size and structural work. If its big you'll need an architect, structural engineer and contractor. if its smaller a contractor should be able to handle it but he might try to screw you because you don't know the business
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:56 am to SUB
quote:
assess the current structure, and to put together a proposal.
Something he needs to do to have an idea of how much the design and renovations will cost. You'll be getting some ideas from his proposal and it will take him some time, more than $100 worth. Sounds fair to me. He probably also wants to see if you are serious.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:58 am to SUB
Tell him to do it for free then. You have xxx number other potential architechs. Not really hard.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:59 am to SUB
No, all of the architects I know work pro bono.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:59 am to SUB
You pay the architect once for his proposal then shop it around to different contractors. You don't need to pay $100 every time you get a quote from a contractor
Posted on 8/14/15 at 10:59 am to SUB
How old is the home?
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:02 am to icegator337
So if you want to look at several contractors, is it better to have the contractors give you an estimate on the work needed to be done, then have the architect come in? It's not a huge project that involves adding onto the house, but it will require a lot of work to one big room, wiring outlets, and moving plumbing.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:03 am to El Magnifico
quote:
You pay the architect once for his proposal then shop it around to different contractors. You don't need to pay $100 every time you get a quote from a contractor
Ah ok, this is the answer I was looking for! Thanks!
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:04 am to wickowick
quote:
How old is the home?
40-50 years.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:04 am to SUB
if you use the architect, expect that time to be worked into your bill
if you do not use that architect, expect an invoice
if you do not use that architect, expect an invoice
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:25 am to Rouge
I generally don't charge for initial consultations but I do tell people what my typical fee is when I take their initial phone call. That usually scares them off. If I had to go meet with every homeowner that calls me that is "thinking" about doing some work, I would go broke. So it is perfectly legit for the architect to charge you for his time.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:35 am to SUB
You are planning a "major renovation" and you are worried about 100$?
You should reevaluate your decision
You should reevaluate your decision
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:39 am to SUB
quote:
The architect wants to charge us $100 for the initial meeting, to assess the current structure, and to put together a proposal. Is this normal?
We have never charged for an initial site visit and/or proposal. Yes Im an architect.
Maybe this should be a clue for you.
Posted on 8/14/15 at 11:42 am to SUB
quote:
When building / adding onto a home - do you pay architect for a proposal?
I don't know the answer, but if the answer is yes, good for architects for scamming that standard into the industry.
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