Daily Real Estate News  |  October 24, 2007  |   Architects Aren't Only for the Super-Rich
In an era where tract houses and indistinguishable subdivisions define suburban landscapes, the architect-designed home may seem a luxury beyond reach, but there are ways for non-gazillionaires to find an architect, keep construction costs down, and build a dream home.

For those on a tight budget, that may mean forgoing a superstar designer, cutting back on the number of bathrooms and the square footage, or installing standardized products such as doors, sinks, and roofs, says Randall Mars of Randall Mars Architects in McLean, Va.

There are different ways to pay an architect. The traditional method, preferred by many architects, is to charge a percentage — from 7 to 20 percent — of the final cost of the home, which can escalate during construction.

Some architects charge hourly rates often between $50 and $200, while others use a flat fee based on a percentage of the home's projected cost. Many clients prefer these approaches, noting that architects have less incentive to hold down construction costs if their fees are based on the final cost of the house.

Clients who can’t afford a partner in an architectural firm should consider a younger architect, who is talented but less experienced. Another option is a solo practitioner who works from home and can charge a lower fee because overhead costs are lower.

Source: The Washington Post, Allan Lengel (10/20/07)