Suggested reading for clients. Building your own home or any project could be very intimidating. Learn the terms, titles, and basics of hiring the professionals for your own project.
Laying the Ground Works
An architect is someone who designs architectural plans. In structures meant for human habitation, virtually all projects, an architect is the best consultant to start the designing. This is because an architect’s educational background and training revolve around designing of spaces, from room sizes and building proportions, to cabinetries and doors and windows. The design process of an architect varies from one project to another but all would take into account the clients’ concerns and requirements, especially for residential projects. Then comes other consultants that are essential to complete the project, which would involve the following at the very least:
Structural Engineer who designs the structural plans or the sizes and specs of foundations, columns, beams, and the steels to be used;
Sanitary Engineer or Master Plumber who designs sanitary plans or the layout and sizes of pipes essential to the plumbing system; and
Professional or Licensed Electrical Engineer or Master Electrician who specifies panel board/s, wires, and breakers to assure safety and competence of electrical connections.
In addition to the architect, these engineers are almost always required when doing a new construct, especially when applying for a building permit. Other professionals could be involved when required: mechanical engineers (for air conditioning and elevator/escalator systems), electronics and communications engineers (for computer systems), industrial and chemical engineers (for factories and industrial developments), landscape architect (for landscape design), geodetic engineers (for measuring land and verifying titles), urban/subdivision planner (for housing and urban developments), interior designers and decorators (for interior finishing, fitout, and furnishing). These consultants bear unique educational backgrounds yet there are some specializations which may also arise from these professionals such as quantity surveying, acoustics, lighting, pool and fountain, fire-safety consultants.
It is important to acknowledge that an architect’s role comes first in a project, especially of homes and buildings. We do not start envisioning a home by saying 4 columns should be 3 by 3 meters apart. Rather, we tell an architect that a living or dining area needs to be this wide, and bedrooms be this and that... and therefore columns and beams should be positioned and designed by a structural engineer to hold that structure safely. Likewise, we do not start designing a house by telling an electrical or sanitary engineer to specify two dozen lights or pipes that lead to unknown spaces - that makes no sense.
All of these professionals are so hired as consultants. A consultant, as the term implies, is hired to be consulted in their field of expertise.
The training of these professionals comes in a tedious and time-tested process of apprenticeship from which they gain work experience and build their expertise.
The Consultant and the Contractor
A common misconception about the titles "architect" and "engineer" is that these are automatically builders of houses. It is important to know that an architect or engineer is a title given to a professional (who passed a board exam and acquired a license) legally permitted to design or sign blueprints for their field (e.g. electrical engineer for electrical plans, architect for architectural plans, etc).
A blueprint is an efficient means of reproducing copies from delicate and original plans in tracing paper. At least five sets of blueprints are required for new constructs, more sets are required for projects inside subdivisions and regulated communities.
An individual who is engaged in building or constructing is called a contractor. Although there is a contractor’s license under Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board or PCAB the professional licenses are different from a contractors. Also most contractors, especially those not involved with big and government projects, do not hold PCAB licenses; and some may have academic background apart from architecture or engineering (example, a business graduate may start a business of constructing homes or fabricating cabinetries - this person is a contractor).
Architect & Engineer are professional titles. Contractor is a business person engaged in building (or contracting construction or fabrication works)
When hiring a separate design consultant and contractor, one simply segregates the design fee and the fee or profit of the contractor. A common misconception is that design could be "free" if the offering is design & build. In truth, the costs of designing (professional fees of architect and engineers) are all tucked in the total project cost - it is still paid by the client one way or the other. There is no such thing as free design.
When a client hires a separate design consultant, the consultant's motivation lies in two things: a good design output that would build their expertise and portfolio; and a good rapport with the client so they could get referrals (the word of mouth) and repeat design projects with them. Hence, design consultants are able to cross check actual work versus designed (and quoted) plans; and ascertain or confirm progress on site independently based on submitted progress billings (or payment requests) of contractors among.
Another important flexibility offered in an independent design consultant is the possibility of bidding or comparison (or informal bidding). As consultants are able to complete a full detailed design, their design outputs or documents could be used to get quotes from contractors. Before a brick could be laid, a client is able to review the quotes or bids (and review the design if a client needs to downgrade) to assure a desirable project cost. Another flexibility is the possibility of a total do-it-yourself project, where the client desires to mobilize one’s own manpower and material procurement to be in full control of the project progress, quality, and finances.
When building a home, ask yourself: What set up works well for me? When hiring an architect, ask them: Are you a design consultant or are you also a contractor?
Selecting your Architect means selecting your design team
When hiring an architect, is it wise to know their background and track record. It would be prudent to call their previous clients or visit their projects to assure that you would be in competent hands. Most architects would have a team of engineers and other professionals for a project that they have done several times. And so a client need not look for every kind of professional, they usually come in a team.
A seasoned architect has worked with a set of engineers. Good inter-professional relationship is important so that the design vision is followed.
A common misstep is for clients to ask architects or designers “to design” before hiring them. For professionals who make a living out of designing, this is the same as asking for free work; either that or a half-baked design. For architects to design well, they need hours and full attention to a project, a level of attention they cannot give to non-committed projects. In my practice, I anticipate a level of consultation, discussion of space requirements, design targets, style preference, and budget; so as to guide clients in project direction or extent (the scope of work to design). This will be the basis of architect or designer in quoting their design fee.
A design consultant would offer the design fee through a contract proposal which would stipulate not only the design fee and schedule of payments, but most importantly, the functions or work description. Take time to review and feel free to ask or clarify clauses on the contract.
After hiring your architect, a common setback in the design process is shying away from discussing the budget. I would recommend that you be open to your architect about the cost and availability of funds, so that they do not become too ambitious with the design; or that they may employ cost-saving methods or designs that offer the best impact for the least cost. An architect should be able to gauge or tabulate an estimated cost even before the full detailed design is done.
The most expensive part of the building is the mistakes - Ken Follett
The most expensive mistake is bad design - jrssj
Go ahead and ask the timeline and steps taken to designing. Enjoy the process and be open to your architect about your requirements and budget. An architect should be able to offer the step-by-step guide to one’s own design process. Again, take time to mince the design and ideas presented to you; it is better you discuss it on the drawing table than after it has been quoted or worse, constructed. Trust your architect and the design process; and let possibilities run!
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