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April 25, 2008
Architect consultation fee
Is it standard for architects to charge a consultation fee to come to the house? I feel that if we are interviewing someone that they shouldn't charge us--but maybe I am wrong.
What is the norm?
Thanks.
Comments
If you want to interview them for free, why not go to their office. The architect will have more to show you there. Unless you are expecting this person to travel to you and give you design ideas for free.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 10:26 AM
Not normal.
You're interviewing them. They're checking out the project to make sure they're interested in taking it.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 10:31 AM
consulatations are free, and are only verbal discussions or brain storming sessions so to speak. If looking for something in writing beyond cost/scope expect to pay for it. Same goes for contractors or any service provider.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 10:53 AM
When I go to "interview" a doctor to determine if the practitioner is appropriate for me and my family they require a fee paid upfront (regardless if someone is sick or not). Many architects have the same level of education as a doctor and a professional certification as well.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 10:54 AM
It's not normal at all. If you are being charged for a one time consultation, get out as fast as you can. The contractor, architect dialog always starts off with a conversation before a business relationship is formed. If they're charging for that initial conversation either they're too pricey or
Posted by: KPantin at April 25, 2008 11:26 AM
It's not normal at all. If you are being charged for a one time consultation, get out as fast as you can. The contractor, architect dialog always starts off with a conversation before a business relationship is formed. If they're charging for that initial conversation either they're too pricey or not worth your time
Posted by: KPantin at April 25, 2008 11:26 AM
It's not normal at all. If you are being charged for a one time consultation, get out as fast as you can. The contractor, architect dialog always starts off with a conversation before a business relationship is formed. If they're charging for that initial conversation either they're too pricey or not worth your time
Posted by: KPantin at April 25, 2008 11:26 AM
A written estimate should be free. I've received written estimates from contractors and service providers for years, and have never been charged for one.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 11:57 AM
Honestly, it depends. In my experience, it depends on the level of consultation the person is offering. If they are just coming by to 'check out' your space and talk to you about how they work (pricing, contractors, etc.) there should be no charge. If there is an expectation that they will be assembling a moderately detailed proposal with sketches after your initial meeting, then I would expect a charge.
In the latter example they are doing some degree of work from which you could benefit. This protects them in case you decide to walk away but they have already put in some work. Most will deduct the consultation fee from the overall project price.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 12:05 PM
I think its abnormal. This is just a normal marketing endeavor.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 12:41 PM
Doctors don't do spec work so the comparison is ridiculous. Architects will come check a place out and write up a proposal/estimate for free. Don't work for anyone who insists you go to their office to see their work. You want to talk to them on site so you can tell if they know what their talking about when it comes to your specific situation. I interviewed many on site before deciding who to work with and none charged for this.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 1:02 PM
I think it also depends on the size of the job.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 1:45 PM
They are coming by to see the space to provide us with an estimate.I certainly don't expect people to work for free, but I would expect a pitch/initial consultation to be free...
Posted by: PHfamily at April 25, 2008 1:52 PM
Right now in NYC it's a seller's market. I and every other architect I know has more work than he or she can handle. Hence, our time is valuable, hence we feel we should charge for consultations. I always make that clear, and also note in my proposal that the fee for the consultation will be deducted from the overall fee, not that it amounts to very much. As the client you will come away from your meeting with the architect with more knowledge and more to think about than you had before. Since you are benefiting from our experience, you should be willing to pay for it.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 2:45 PM
2:45 You obviously don't know many architects because I've interviewed 5 so far and will interview at least 5 more, but I will not and have not been asked to pay any for these meetings.
You also know nothing about the market. Given the new constraints on credit and decreasing equity people will do less remodeling. If you have more work than you can handle, you do not work efficiently and probably have a tiny crappy firm. Besides if it were true that you had so much work you would not be reading brownstoner and would not need to charge any unreasonable fees like this.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 3:05 PM
No, it's not normal practice to charge for a consultation. Why would you pay someone before you know at all that they can handle the job?
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 3:41 PM
In my experience as an architect, it's not normal to charge for a consultation, unless you're giving the people some sketches or drawings or something.
3:05 - Sounds like YOU know nothing about the architectural market right now. Things are crazy busy for every architect I know, and tons of firms are looking for staff. This may be a case of the market going out with a big bang, but I'm just calling it like I see it.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 4:52 PM
I am in the process of interviewing architects right now and not one of them has asked for a consultation fee. All have recommended the meeting be at the house. I assume this is not only for my benefit but also so that should I chose to ask them for a proposal they have better info of what they are proposing on.
I would not proceed with an architect who asked me to pay for this meeting, it is not standard practice and that would concern me about their practices subsequent.
Is it possible that they are asking because they think you might not be serious about the job and are just "window shopping"?
Posted by: pmmtenement at April 25, 2008 5:13 PM
If it is truly an interview about their past experience, and an for you to explain your goals, then it should be free.
If you are asking the architect to come to your house to pick his/her brain for ideas while they're there, then hell yes, they should and ought to charge you!
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 6:17 PM
2:45 here. Ouch, 3:05, you sure know how to hurt a guy. I think the initial interview with the architect can be held over the phone, for free. If you both determine that a meeting is warranted, either the architect should request a payment for a consultation, because that is what the meeting will be, or better yet, the client should offer to pay, because architects are notorious for not asking for their due. Not that I feel I need to defend myself from your comments, 3:05, but my firm is doing very well and if I have more than I can handle, well, I like it that way. You never have exactly how much you can handle, and you definitely don't want less.
Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 8:56 PM
p.s. I visit Brownstoner Forum from time to time because I learn a great deal from it, knowledge which adds to my value, for which, as mentioned, I charge.
Posted by: guest at April 26, 2008 8:43 AM
Well said 8:43, but I'm an architect also and I would find that if I charged for an initial visit to see a property, I would have very little or NO work. I'm glad I'm busy, too, but it's probably because I do these early visits for free.
Posted by: guest at April 27, 2008 5:39 PM
I think you get to a certain point where you can tell whether people are just shopping around, or interviewing as many architects as possible in order to glean as much information as possible. I understand what you are saying, 5:39, but I think it's a form of exploitation to allow oneself to be used in this manner.
Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 9:23 AM
The way I see it, these consultation-charging architects are WAY to worried about this so-called 'valuable information' that they think they will impart to people. Are you kidding me? What this really means is, either they themselves know how little they really have to offer a homeowner after the consultation itself, or that they have their heads in the clouds and assume everybody else is an idiot.
How can a homeowner choose an architect without knowing what, and for what price, he/she will offer? It sound backwards to me.
Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 11:26 PM
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