When Architecture Clients Say You're Too Expensive

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 70

  • @timothyskinner375
    @timothyskinner375 6 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    For me the value of an architect is less in their ability to specify quality fixtures/fittings as you have suggested and more in their ability to unlock the highest potential of a project through creative input and guiding a client through the process. Kitchens, bathrooms, floor finishes etc. are likely to be 'client choice' in a contract when you do not specify the product, so there is no real danger of a contractor fitting a crappy kitchen. However, 'cheap architects', 'contractor designed projects ' or anyone offering a cheaper service is fundamentally promising to spend less time on the design, less time on visual aids (drawings, 3D, models etc.). They are therefore more likely to produce a weaker design that is less suited to the clients way of life and needs. That's not to say it won't work... it will just more likely be less valuable, less practical and less special. The trick is, as you suggest, educating or demonstrating to the client the value in the design and services of an architect. If speed and cost are their main objectives, then they probably aren't looking for an architect led project.
    Thanks for the videos!

    • @bartekdrabik9663
      @bartekdrabik9663 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's it! a good architect will design a house that takes advantage of the plot's potential and will be like a tailor-made suit. No matter what kind of pipe will go to the sewage system. This can be decided by the investor or contractor knowing the budget limit. It does not affect the real value of the project but only the value of material.

    • @skh934
      @skh934 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      yeah u r r8 !!!!!

    • @GideonAbochie
      @GideonAbochie 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      How do you demonstrate to the client the value in the design and services ?

    • @the_alchemy_method
      @the_alchemy_method 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Timothy Skinner whats the full process for an architect going from pitch to securing the client? And is it feasible to get clients online via funnels? This might filter out the tyre kickers who think you’re too expensive (?)
      Thanks

  • @RealLifeArchitecture
    @RealLifeArchitecture 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Shortly after becoming a sole practitioner I published my fees on my website, just to avoid potential clients wasting my time. That was 2009 and shortly afterwards I stared getting a stream of enquiries via google, am my page ranked No. 1 for the term Architects Fees. Without planning it, that move kept my business afloat until I got established.

    • @runningfromabear8354
      @runningfromabear8354 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I wish more did this instead of wasting the average persons time telling us that architects are affordable. The lack of transparency is what convinces people not to hire an architect. Historically, anything without a price tag means that the average person can't afford it.

    • @catomares
      @catomares 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Were there any clients in 2009?

  • @user-hs7nr3xp9v
    @user-hs7nr3xp9v 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    We lost our home in the 2017 Thomas Fire. We hired a Laguna Beach architect (so what) based on the recommendation of a close friend in the construction business. The architect told us how much he "cared" about us and would reduce his normal fees in light of our situation. We told him our budget was $800,000 dollars including "soft costs" (his fees plus engineering, surveys, etc.) to rebuild our 1780 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath house on a perfectly flat lot. We didn't even need a garage as it was detached and survived the fire. That was $400 dollars per square foot and he assured us he could design a house to fit our budget. So, we signed a contract with him that stated such. $83,000 dollars and 18 months into a set of plans that he allowed us very little input towards, he presented us with a set of plans that included 88 windows, 6 sliding doors, mahogany ceilings, multiple levels, 10 foot ceilings, pivoting front door, etc., etc. When we expressed our concern over all the unauthorized items, he just assured us it was on budget and told us not to worry. When we put it out to bid, we initially received about 5 rejections stating it would be impossible to build on our budget. In a panic and without a plan, we raised the budget to $1,000,000 (about $500 per square foot) even though we had no idea where the additional money would come from. We have since received 4 detailed bids over $1,400,000 (about $815 per sq ft). We have now been told by at least 14 contractors and 5 architects to throw away our $83,000 plans and start over. The point is that "regular people" who do not have the ability to absorb an enormous financial loss, cannot afford the RISK of hiring an architect. It's not that we could not afford to hire an architect - it was in the budget and we paid him in full, but regular people just cannot afford the risk of losing that money to an unscrupulous or incompetent architect. We were taken advantage of at one of the most difficult times of our lives. I would never trust an architect again. PERIOD.

    • @archwaldo
      @archwaldo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sorry to hear that, sir. Not listening to client input is actually a red flag for a bad architect. We're taught to always consult with the client and do our best to keep within budget.

  • @AymanSafi
    @AymanSafi 8 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Well I think clients see this explanation as an excuse, everyone will say that his work has more value. Sometimes in high competence market it is smarter to know your client and to design him a package of what he seeks, technically and financially, if the client terms suits the architect he can proceed with him, but educating the client isn't always a solution. From the other hand, I prefer to state my price clearly if its a percentage, or state my minimum for what I see suitable without any further explanation. Also, the type of the client, project, even its location, all are factors to determine how to price. Anyway, I think that architecture like any other business, one should price his services, have a contingency margin within that price, then accept the fact that he may loose some projects and/or some clients only because of the price, thus he shall be confident and fully convinced with the price limits he draws for himself.

  • @builderspluscustomhomesand2146
    @builderspluscustomhomesand2146 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I mean I can respect this video but lets get real here... Clients don't care about "better" information or the quality of the plans, they don't care about the quality of the product, they care about when, how and how long for a build. Ambitions with clients especially for the ones I've dealt with has $200,000 mindset but only have a $90,000 total budget.
    There's nothing much to it. Yes, I agree, you just have to educate them. But if they haven't even taken the time to educate themselves and you can define that by asking right after them, (Did you read our documents and website on all of our provisional services and how we help our clients?)... Most of them "Mostly" which means they didn't. They were skitting the site/paperwork for free plans and focused on others work while looking for a price, gave up, called you and expected a 90,000 sq ft commercial building built at only $10/sq ft. These clients are your low-level clients that are seeking bottom dollar NOT the value of the end result.
    You can thank today's services with the sketchup quality layouts people are doing for $20 a pop and expect a service. Nobody pays by the hour which requires you to charge for the day service for however long. Shimmy the market. Tell a client for a single family custom home $108/hour, they will think EMPLOYEE hourly rate of $15.00/hr and will say you are too high not knowing the levels of how hourly rates work between the two and how they are completely different.
    But even the people in here are like "WOW $50,000?!?!?! :-O " ... Prime example without shading them... bottom dollar focused. The breakdown is $555/day to plan and develop, constant trips to the site and client, constantly collaborating on design choices, making the runs for material examples, compliance checking, code review, approvals, notations...(haven't even gotten to the drawing yet), the mind changes... you get the point. NOW were are at the designing phase so you have an initial sketch, the approval, the changes, the oh hey can you add/subject, move, make... etc.
    Sitting on the computer 12 hours drawing out the CAD layouts, and this is about 2 weeks worth and remember, they are not the only client. The CAD details such as the elevations and what is going to be uses, the notes to be placed. You're not just "providing the same level of service for a higher price", he is offering a competitive edge to the marketplace for what he provides, maybe his designs offer much more to the client than what the $20,000 guy charges
    Hey just like building a deck for example... I built a 19x19 deck recently and total costs was $10,500, we built one a long while back and it was $7,680. So why the dramatic price change? Because the $10,500 was more involved than the $7,680. Different material, different supplies, different setup that required a completely different aspect on the overall build quality such as joist hangers, longer footings, braces and etc. We had to educate our client on that as well and had to explain we don't just jam nails into every piece of wood and call it a day, we take certain standards and quality to be sure the deck we built according to our design plans you chose will suffice us having to come back in at least 15 years... Client signed retainer right then and there. So my clients didn't see the bottom dollar, they saw the value in the cost which that initial $2,820 was their investment towards quality and build specs. No knowledge, no power

  • @marathondude
    @marathondude 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    People hear what they want to hear. K-Mart customers can t afford Nordstrom homes.

    • @BusinessofArchitecture
      @BusinessofArchitecture  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      True. Lol.

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      YES; in a nutshell

    • @runningfromabear8354
      @runningfromabear8354 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BusinessofArchitecture You laugh at them but it proves the point that the average person building a house can't afford an architect. There's architects online arguing that it isn't expensive to hire an architect. But it's a lie. The average person can afford to build a house with a contractor. But the difference between $20k for plans vs $50k plans can be the difference between building the house or not building the house.

  • @lifeofabachelor8547
    @lifeofabachelor8547 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i recently had a set of drawings done and someone wanted to charge me 50,000 for a set of plans when i already had a basic floor plan done with appliances set out and where cabniets will be with rough measurements. all i needed was for them to finalize the drawings and make it legal as to engineering where the support posts etc would go i decided to go to a draftsman instead as i did not need the services of what they were charging me for

    • @explosivetwist
      @explosivetwist 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      sometimes when you don't want a client you throw a huge fee at them you know they'll never go for. usually there is a reason they don't want the client...just sayin'

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Some people honestly, do not have the mental capacity to understand WHY architects are different to draftsmen. The educated & cultured person will know.

    • @archwaldo
      @archwaldo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@explosivetwist looks like you misunderstood.
      This guy is the client.
      Architect wants to charge him for 50 grand, so he went to a draftsman instead.

    • @archwaldo
      @archwaldo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thing is you ONLY had a floor plan, brother.
      The architect could visit the site, evaluate the plan and make changes to make it even more suitable for you.
      Then the elevations, sections, details, structural systems, MEPs, Notes and Specifications, etc.
      If it's a design-build firm, they'll even do the project management and construction for you.
      Then there's consultation with engineers and other allied professionals.
      And there's the building permits and inspections.
      There are still so much more to do after the floor plans have been established. That's where the 50 grand will be going brother - SERVICE.
      PS: 50 grand is actually just based the estimated project construction cost. As the design process goes on, the building estimates would become more accurate - and this could actually lead to a lower actual PCC, which would result to LOWER fees for the architect.

    • @tonypriest1545
      @tonypriest1545 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@archwaldo The client had drawings already prepared, R was suggesting too much liability for Architect, as does the 50k would suggest. R is actually on point.

  • @paridesaraceni9271
    @paridesaraceni9271 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Question: Let's assume I am a damn good Architect. Am I getting paid more for having saved you (client) some extremely valuable time by coming up with a sound proposal that increases your business' (say, a commercial property) profitability by 25% (thanks to my new plans and layout - which do not necessarily entail extra building costs) in just one day? (just as an example)
    - If costing is based on my time, I most certainly be losing..
    - If my fee is based on construction 'cost', I am missing out on that extra value I have added to your business.
    It seems to me that most Architects do their maths with their own wallet, instead of doing them with their client's wallet; looking at their own time, costs and resources to carry out the service, rather than looking at the economic value they are bringing to the other side of the table.
    What if my pricing was also based on the value my proposal is adding to your project and your business, once the project is realised and running? thoughts?

  • @joeframer9642
    @joeframer9642 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Architects make income based on reputation. The problem with architects is that they don’t have framing or building experience. There should be a mandatory minimum 3 year framing experience as part of their license.
    An engineering degree would also be extremely beneficial. 90% of architects completely get the elevations wrong , the structural plans wrong, the framing plans wrong. My company builds custom waterfront homes. Maybe 2 architects in 30 years got a set of plans 70% right. They claim any problems aren’t their fault, the don’t pay to correct the problem, and pass the problems on to engineering . Meanwhile costing the builder thousands and the homeowners tens of thousands. They should be responsible for their drawings.

    • @karldejesus4464
      @karldejesus4464 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Joe Framer uhm where are you from? Did you know that after getting a 5-year Architecture degree you'd have to put in a work experience minimum of two years (8 hours per day) before you can take a licensure examination? And the structural drawings done by the Architect is basically reviewed and checked by a structural engineer (signed and sealed) otherwise it can't be approved for a building permit.

    • @noonedidthistome
      @noonedidthistome 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      my grandfather & father were builders - I started working with my father every summer, spring break, & holiday breaks at age 10 & continued that until my first post-graduate architecture intern job, including full time while taking a year off of college & 6 months after graduation while my wife (also an Architect & I prepared to get married & decide where we wanted to live. That said, I pretty much agree with you :) I love to review designs & construction documents prepared by other designers & architects & I'm rarely impressed, usually amazed at how poorly thought out they are & how dependent they will be on the builder to figure out how to actually build it (a favorite quote from a simple builder to my former employer "just 'cause you can draw it, don't mean you can build it..." ;) On the flip side, 1.) I've met plenty of "builders" who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground either (suffering through one now, the owner is ecstatic that they engaged me for full observation services and I'm spending hours showing a builder who won't supervise his crews where he's screwing up over & over), & 2.) sometimes what is needed is actual communication - think ahead & ask questions - sometimes (like with framing), there can be competing priorities - efficiency on a small scale vs. efficiency on a bigger scale, etc. like do you run all floor joists the same direction regardless of efficiency to maintain a strong floor diaphram or do you change direction at some point for joist size efficiency.

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      not true. the Architect should be the master of a building site and knowledgeable in each trade.

  • @lifesymphony2024
    @lifesymphony2024 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    You charge 50k for a piece of house plan without any construction involve??? Wow!

    • @ModernDayConceptsMawsonLakes
      @ModernDayConceptsMawsonLakes 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yes i was a little shocked at that too. If that is what plans go for in his area, I want to move there.

    • @Walkwithmetoday
      @Walkwithmetoday 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      On a $1,000,000 that's only 5%. I'm curious what the construction cost was?

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      NO dear friend. We add VALUE. WHY architects CAN add real VALUE to a project. Think of COST vs PRICE. In a market we can ALWAYS find someone or something 'cheaper'. So thus its important to understand the difference. We can SAVE you money, add value to space, speed approval process up, create quality documents that SAVE money in building stage through accurate & detailed documentation to minimise variations plus much more. Thus that $30,000 you talk about is quickly removed. A $30,000 upfront PRICE vs a $100,000-300,000 COST (variations in construction cost, time delay, quality reduction). This much cost variation? YES. As an Architect I see it EVERY TIME.

  • @BusinessofArchitecture
    @BusinessofArchitecture  8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    you're welcome Alex.

    • @the_alchemy_method
      @the_alchemy_method 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Business of Architecture do you use web lead funnels at all? Thought this may help filter out ‘noise’ like this. I also noted many top studios aren’t actively advertising on social media for paid traffic. Why is that?

    • @nikhilsharma7839
      @nikhilsharma7839 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@the_alchemy_method I think there is restriction on advertisements as architects. Im not sure how it goes in the US, there is however a limitation here in India.

  • @RandalColling
    @RandalColling 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am about to embark on a $10 million industrial project in Texas. I have 3 bids. How do I choose the best group? How do I vet these folks? How do you know if they're good or great or not? I am acting as the GC. All three firms seem ok. All have sharpened their prices. All want the work as there are not too many projects of this size.

    • @SmeeGuitar
      @SmeeGuitar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      get them to show you projects they did, find out who they worked with and CALL those people about them without telling them first.

    • @stocks4bt
      @stocks4bt 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Pray to God for WISDOM. Use James 1:5

  • @sourabh8926
    @sourabh8926 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am a civil engineer and people here pretty much decide what they want for their home even though I try to give them best quality within their budget they try to give the work to the people who fool them how to convey our message please let me know as I am new to this field

    • @BusinessofArchitecture
      @BusinessofArchitecture  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The key is to start educating your potential clients so they understand the value of the services you provide.

  • @valearcademy
    @valearcademy 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm not so sure it's you're job to educate a client. They just want an end goal right? Could you not just pre-qualify a client by giving them a price range before burning hours on a proposal?

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes if you listen to the full video dear friend, he is advise to be upfront. Ie; to advise potential clients that we are not the cheapest and then to demonstrate WHY we add value

  • @myarchitecturalview6632
    @myarchitecturalview6632 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    It happens even in India !!

  • @deezynar
    @deezynar 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    It sounded like everything you claimed is a value to the client is just a way to guarantee the project will cost more to build.

    • @BusinessofArchitecture
      @BusinessofArchitecture  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      It is. Lol.

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      NO; This is not a fair or justified statement dear friend. You are suggesting unethical promotion of building cost increase to increase architects fees. As Architects we are ethically bound to protect the public and work always in the public interest. WHY architects CAN add real VALUE to a project. Think of COST vs PRICE. In a market we can ALWAYS find someone or something 'cheaper'. So thus its important to understand the difference. We can SAVE you money, add value to space, speed approval process up, create quality documents that SAVE money in building stage through accurate & detailed documentation to minimise variations plus much more. A $30,000 upfront PRICE vs a $100,000-300,000 COST (variations in construction cost, time delay, quality reduction). This much cost variation? YES. As an Architect I see it EVERY TIME.

    • @deftdraftcon163
      @deftdraftcon163 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ISCDesignArchitect I totally agree you Mr Conlon I feel the same way.

  • @1440dvsone
    @1440dvsone 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Why is he walking around?

    • @EnochSears
      @EnochSears 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Why not?

    • @riggidybang
      @riggidybang 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      because it makes for a terrible presentation and makes you a road hazard... personally I think video while driving would be much better.

    • @alima34
      @alima34 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      😂 😂

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@riggidybang i disagree. it adds visual interest, spontaneity.

    • @riggidybang
      @riggidybang 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ISCDesignArchitect Apologies, now I see that I wasn't clear - my comment was regarding the video technique and not how to spice up sex life in a marriage.

  • @lalmohammed7799
    @lalmohammed7799 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hyy sir you are working on very good. I want to work in UK as an architect. Pls let me know how can i get job there

  • @CC-jy4gr
    @CC-jy4gr 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Why are you charging $50 000 for the same level of serviced offered for $20 000? Any investments been gobbled up by bullshit costs. $30 000 for placement of fixtures lol get real homie.

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      NO-Dear friend. I would propose you should listen to understand WHY architects CAN add real VALUE to a project. Think of COST vs PRICE. In a market we can ALWAYS find someone or something 'cheaper'. So thus its important to understand the difference. We can SAVE you money, add value to space, speed approval process up, create quality documents that SAVE money in building stage through accurate & detailed documentation to minimise variations plus much more. Thus that $30,000 you talk about is quickly removed. A $30,000 upfront PRICE vs a $100,000-300,000 COST (variations in construction cost, time delay, quality reduction). This much cost variation? YES. As an Architect I see it EVERY TIME.

    • @archwaldo
      @archwaldo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      it's not the same level of service. that's the point. the 20k would be lacking attention, control, and many of the details and specifications the 50k has.
      anything not detailed means it would be left to the guys on the field; and oftentimes their decision would not coincide with yours.

  • @abdelhak50
    @abdelhak50 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Why did you shoot the video in Chernobyl?

  • @arabbitwhocanuseinternet9657
    @arabbitwhocanuseinternet9657 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    So are u saying
    They won't hire me when I have just graduated from my university

  • @N8Doggi
    @N8Doggi ปีที่แล้ว

    Just saying that doesn't mean anything. People can say anything. Words mean nothing. Need some evidence or only an idiot would spend $30,000 more.

  • @FABGENCON
    @FABGENCON 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    🖒🖒🖒

  • @alzean29
    @alzean29 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Y y y y y.

  • @depitesenate8247
    @depitesenate8247 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Lets be honest. Architects are really expensive

    • @alljokesaside9852
      @alljokesaside9852 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      depité senatè of course they are. why wouldn’t they?

    • @ISCDesignArchitect
      @ISCDesignArchitect 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      NO dear friend. We add VALUE. WHY architects CAN add real VALUE to a project. Think of COST vs PRICE. In a market we can ALWAYS find someone or something 'cheaper'. So thus its important to understand the difference. We can SAVE you money, add value to space, speed approval process up, create quality documents that SAVE money in building stage through accurate & detailed documentation to minimise variations plus much more. Thus that $30,000 you talk about is quickly removed. A $30,000 upfront PRICE vs a $100,000-300,000 COST (variations in construction cost, time delay, quality reduction). This much cost variation? YES. As an Architect I see it EVERY TIME.

    • @archdesign4143
      @archdesign4143 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Its because you see design as cubes and boxes you dont understand the value an architect add the problems they solve and dangers they face the hours they spend to get a plan done.

    • @kunle.m.adegbite
      @kunle.m.adegbite 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      This is exactly the man was talking about educating your Client. Most Clients are clueless about what value an Architect should truly give them, so when they go for a very cheap Architect or a draftsman, and they give them shabby drawings, they don't know they've just been duped. No professional will give you his time to provide very good drawings when you paid him peanuts. Lol.

  • @N8Doggi
    @N8Doggi ปีที่แล้ว

    Just saying that doesn't mean anything. People can say anything. Words mean nothing. Need some evidence or only an idiot would spend $30,000 more.