Architect for smaller jobs?

[Anonymous]

We're looking to change the configuration of our second floor to turn one large bedroom into two small ones and expand the footprint of the bathroom. It will require some drawings and ideas for layout. It seems like the firms I've found only handle major renovations or new builds. Any recommendations on who to reach out to for something like this? And ballpark for what getting some drawings/ideas will cost?

[Anonymous]

Find somebody online. Local prices are just not worth.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean online?

[Anonymous]

On Houzz for instance. Not somebody local as they will charge $$$$$.

[Anonymous]

This is a major renovation, don’t kid yourself. But I agree a non-local architect could do the layout.

[Anonymous]

Or work with a design-build firm.

[Anonymous]

Lots of little one person shops do this for a flat fee. We were referred to one by a bigger firm who didn't want our dinky project.

[Anonymous]

The problem with using someone virtually is that you need super accurate measurements and assessment of the 'existing conditions.' If you pay someone online for a design, you may have issues when you hire a contractor if the plans don't align with the actual situation - load-bearing walls, roof structure, plumbing/electrical in walls.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On Houzz for instance. Not somebody local as they will charge $$$$$.

The same pricey local architects also have a presence on Houzz as a place to market their firm and their work. Very few architects, if any, will only work online - too much liability for them.

[Anonymous]

That is obvious. If you just need layout ideas it works just fine. You can discuss the suggested layout with a contractor and go from there. It will work exactly as if you are working with a contractor only. They will take care of the electrical work and plumbing, as they do when no architect is in the picture.

This would be more of an informal project for the remote architect. There will be no signed blueprints or drawings with their name.

It just depends on what you need whether it works or not. Caveat is that you need a floor plan of your current space with good measurements. I bought a laser measuring tool and that made it much easier. One more thing is being able to draw the floor plan. Then take pictures of your space. I did this and got a layout for my 500 sq ft mini apartment (including kitchen and bathroom design + furniture allocation) designed for 1000$ vs 10000$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On Houzz for instance. Not somebody local as they will charge $$$$$.

The same pricey local architects also have a presence on Houzz as a place to market their firm and their work. Very few architects, if any, will only work online - too much liability for them.

PP here. Try to find an architect from areas with more reasonable cost of living. Here everything is overpriced. Try even somebody abroad. A floorplan is a floorplan everywhere..

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Some good advice here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're looking to change the configuration of our second floor to turn one large bedroom into two small ones and expand the footprint of the bathroom. It will require some drawings and ideas for layout. It seems like the firms I've found only handle major renovations or new builds. Any recommendations on who to reach out to for something like this? And ballpark for what getting some drawings/ideas will cost?

Do you need ideas for layout, or do you need someone to draft drawings for your permit application? There's a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're looking to change the configuration of our second floor to turn one large bedroom into two small ones and expand the footprint of the bathroom. It will require some drawings and ideas for layout. It seems like the firms I've found only handle major renovations or new builds. Any recommendations on who to reach out to for something like this? And ballpark for what getting some drawings/ideas will cost?

Do you need ideas for layout, or do you need someone to draft drawings for your permit application? There's a big difference.

I guess both? We want to be able to take the drawings to a contractor to price it out and get the permits too.