Starting an Architectural Firm
Whether you are an Architect or not as long as you have interest in Architecture, you could easily create an Architectural Firm Business. This simple guide will help you figure out how to start your own Architectural Firm.
Architectural Firm Business covers a large scale because Architects have a variety of qualifications. Your firm can do projects in both structural and aesthetics.
Your Architectural Firm Business can make more money by accepting projects in several Architectural fields like landscaping, structural designs, and residential and commercial building designs. Large projects may also include sports facilities, arena, sport complex, malls, and many specialized and larger structures.
What exactly an Architectural Firm can do?
As a short overview, your Architectural Business Firm might be able to do drafting designs, modeling, creating scale models, and wide array of landscape designs. If you wanted to be more specific, you may also start offering services that covers your field of specialization. For instance, if you are good in drafting, you may accept just drafting jobs in the first as start-up projects. The possibilities to bigger opportunity are endless if you have the right talent and skills, and trusted people to work with you side by side.
How to start your Architectural Firm Business.
As mentioned above, you can start whether you are an Architect or not but bigger credits are always given to those who have areas of specialization. If you have knowledge and enough experience in doing the jobs your business is about to offer, better start your business today or else you may lost a bigger opportunity in the future.
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Every business starts of course with Business Permit. Secure one from your local Internal Revenue Office and select a good place to house your operation. Good Architectural Firm locations are always near to big construction company or any civil Engineering or Construction Firms. I am not saying that you are going to compete with them. Their customers might notice your business in anytime.
Advertising and promotion of your business is the next thing to do. A business card is highly suggested in this type of business. Maintain a close contact with your former colleagues and inform them that you are opening your own Architectural Firm Business.
Because this business offers service and there are no raw materials or resources that require higher capital, you can always offer a better and lower price while you are starting your business. This helps a lot in building customer and gaining clients’ trust.
For the needed capital, Architectural Firm Business needs equipment like computers, design software, printing equipment, and some brands of drafting papers. If you have a tight budget for these equipment and materials, you may find some surplus but useful Architectural Equipment and Peripherals at ebay.
You must also have a lot of resources like magazines, photos, or even presentations of unique Architectural Designs to show to some prospects. A good and cheap website is a must for you are not going to offer your service just in your country or province. Internet can bring you a lot of customers.
This business will be a great source of permanent income if you are doing it right.
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That is not true, Tylee. There is a difference between practicing the profession and doing what you want based on experience. You can be successful in both, but only one allows you to do it legally.
On the otherhand, the article could be correct in some sense as well. I have worked for a good architectural firm and the startup principal was not an architect. He was a businessman who control the business aspect of the practice while the staff architects take care of the design and the technical aspects of projects. A couple of licensed architects are principals and they stamp the drawings. So, you don't need to be an architect to run an architectural firm but you do need to be an architect to practice architecture (not just design).
If one would like to get the facts contact the American Institue of Architects (AIA)in the U.S. or any provincial architectural association in Canada. Personally, I would not get start-up advice on a self governed and specialized profession such as is the practice of architecture from a website.
In response to another comment I read from Andrew regarding practices where the owners are not licensed professionals, I would caution that, at least in Ontario, I have heard that a licensed architect must have at least a controlling interest in the firm. This makes sense since the architect assumes the professional risk and liability.
After I completed those lame ass exams which were also such a joke, I obtained my license,(which is only needed for commercial work permits) and I only pay those bastards to keep it renewed. Def not giving them my time or money for any lame AIA membership or any of that bs. 90 percent of licensed architects will never produce a single piece of architecture in their careers. Produce buildings? -yes Architecture? - seldom
Everyone should stop worrying about legalities and just produce amazing design, whether you are an ARCHITECT or not. Hell, call me whatever title you want, as long as I'm producing strong design, i'll be fine to be known as the kid in the basement. I'd rather be forgotten then remembered for giving in. eff the system... and start designing.
In New Mexico, anyone can design a residential building under 2 storey without a license (no commercial)
You can start a firm w/o a license and hire Architects....Duh
Repeat clients, networking and kicking ass on the bid process get you in biz. We all know each other in this small market in NM; poach a couple of good folks from bigger firms, try focusing on employees and the bottom line, not exactly haute couture architecture, but I've seen it work... Good employees can bring a client or 2 with them often, use that, hire a branding agency to promo ur biz, work hard & remember 'dont blame the game, blame the player!' - peace
It would be like not being a lawyer and owning and operating a Law Firm - - i would stay clear of people selling legal services without actually being licensed.
Raul and others here are skirting the law and will be only a matter of time before it catches up with them - usually in the form of someone getting hurt and the resulting lawsuits and criminal charges.
The use of the word Architect and Architectural is strictly for Licensed Architects.
Fancy terms like Building Designer will also catch up with you as people will only report you to the state and they will send the state police for you - it's only a matter of time and one disgruntled client who figures he doesn't have to pay you if he reports you.
there was a man here in NYC that just was jailed for 8 years by practicing Architecture and engineering with a made-up stamp....as a result all plans examiners and inspectors check credentials of all professionals via State Websites.
Interior Architects - NO - but Interior Designer - yes - - as anyone can call themselves an Interior Designer - - although you are restricted to only finishes, furniture and items not requiring a building permit.... although i have seen some interior designers try to cover up fire alarm devices and have had their work removed to alleviate the code violation before the client got a fine and court summons...
I had a client who thought he could not pay me and build my designs after the drawings were done. Had another Architect copy my designs - to which i just responded with a lawyer. He got the first story up before permit being permanently removed by court order on my quick actions. it's been 2 years and the house frame is just sitting there. The Architect's privileges of professionally certifying ANY project within NYC has been permanently revoked......
As a businessman, you just need to hire the right licensed architect/PE and promote and develop the brand, just as you would with any business. Focus on your customers and the type of product you want to offer. Form a team or peers, architects, engineers, designers and go after the work. Of course this is all marco.
If you look at many of the larger engineering and architecture firms, 90% all are headed by a CEO with only an MBA, maybe PE/MBA. There is a reason for this.
Even when my company asked me to put "architectural intern" on my card, I would not because of the law, and my respect for the process and the discipline. People work very hard and long to develop the craft, the artistry, to understand the socio-economic ramifications of building and design (both good and bad), the legalities of the construction industry and the health, safety and welfare of the public. That breadth of knowledge, and experience deserves a little more respect than it currently has. When I passed my last test, I then felt worthy of calling myself an architect.
Can a person not be an architect and own an architectural firm. I am not entirely sure how this always works. In Ohio, I believe a licensed firm must 51% of the firm must be owned by licensed architects or other design professionals such as engineers. Otherwise, the firm can not tout architectural services. This could very easily be wrong depending on what type of firm you are... llc, llp, s-corp, etc.
Can you be unlicensed and still perform design services? Most single family residential homes can currently be designed by anyone... most of the time, the owner gets what they pay for. In Kentucky, as of a couple years ago, an individual could design up to a twelve unit multi-farm without a license... scary.
Can a graduate from an accredited architectural school, who has worked in an architectural firm call her/himself an architect, architectural designer, architectural intern? No, not in Ohio or in most any jurisdiction.!!!!
Rebar--Yes, knowing what kind of crane does qualify you do design!! Why do you ask? How do you build it if you are unaware of what kind of materials to use? How do you know if it is possible to build if you do not know what kind of materials would be needed or how much it would cost to build it? If you are unaware of the materials then how do you design something in a budget that the home owner/person PAYING can afford? Architects tend to want to be famous designers rather than doing the job they are being PAID to do!! Using someone else's money to make a name for yourself, or be the next Frank Lloyd Wright is wrong! Pay for that yourself! Cad is a great program and those napkin drawings were put together from a shaky hand on a napkin that has been damaged into an actual building or residence! If that is not amazing to you than you have no business on this forum!
Bottom line, just like old builder said, If you CAN do the work, people WILL hire you. Regardless of how many years you spent in school. Your fancy 4 year degree is NOT going to account for the million dollar job you screw up, if someone has a 2 year degree and CAN prove they CAN do the work, then there is no reason not to use them.