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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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”?
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.
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?