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Congratulations!

So you are thinking about a new home, business, investment or project. This is a milestone. There is a lot to think about. Designing and building is a complicated process in which you can get lost. You can get lost in the difficulties of permits, rules, regulations, design alternatives, specifications, materials, contractors, budgets, etc. But it doesn't and shouldn't have to be that way.

The first decisions are the most important. It costs more to correct errors caused at the beginning, and once construction is underway, than to have invested in professional consultation at the right time. The person to guide you through all of this is an architect.

But who?

You need to do your homework on this. Invest the time and the effort. Start by asking others to recommend an architect from their own experience, or if there is a project you know that you like, ask who did it. Check to see if the architect is a member of the local architects association, El Colegio de Arquitectos, and what other associations they might belong to. Once you've had an interview, ask for a list of former clients so you may get direct references. You will choose the architect whom you trust and feel is right for the job. You're not buying a car or a new appliance, you can't see the final project and test it. The architect provides professional services, not a product. Personal confidence is paramount. Look for a balance among the following factors: design ability, technical competence, professional service, and cost. The right architect will be the one who can provide the judgment, expertise, and creative skills to help you realize your project .He will act as your advisor and confidante during the whole design and construction process. This range from helping you define want you want and need to the manner of receiving the maximum benefit of your investment. The architect will see the whole picture, he doesn't just draw a box with a roof, and rather he creates aesthetic and functional spaces that satisfy yours dreams and necessities. As a qualified expert in building and environmental design, the architect maintains a close relationship with the building industry, so as to insure that the process culminates in a well designed and built project which meets and probably surpasses your expectations, yet remains within the limits of costs and times established.

The fees of the architect should be considered as a wise investment and not just an added expense.

Some good reasons are that a well thought out project can be built more efficiently and economically. You will avoid, or at least minimize improvisations and surprises that cause additional costs and prolong the building stage. The architect will produce plans and specifications, choosing materials, and labor in terms of quality, aesthetics, durability and cost. These plans are absolutely necessary to get serious and trustworthy bids from contractors and suppliers. A good design sells. A well designed home has a higher resale value. A well-designed store or business draws customers. A well-designed work environment increases productivity.

The architect's fees must be analyzed relative to the scope of services he provides. This is so important. Different architects charge different fees because they provide different services. Fees are recommendations to clients for the amount of time and effort they should purchase from the architect. It can't be overstressed the importance of thorough and comprehensive services to the success of a project and the satisfaction of the client.
If you accept a low fee, you might be under investing in the architect's time spent on the project. This could result in compromising the quality of the design and construction of your project, as well as increase building costs.

How architects charge is confusing. The fees are established in different ways. There are hourly rates, fixed fees based on square number of meters, a percentage of construction costs or a combination of the above.

Discuss the basis for the fee, the amount and the payment schedule. In 1998, the Means Square Footage Cost Data survey in the United States indicated that fees for architectural services on a custom home ranged from 5 to 15 percent of the total cost of construction.
Designing and building a project is creative, exciting and satisfying. There is nothing like this experience. It's also hard work. The result of working with your architect will be a unique project created for your needs, express your dreams, and provide enjoyment for everyone who uses it.

Resource: A Beginner's Guide to Architectural Services. AIA

Jenny Perez has lived in Puerto Vallarta since 1973. She collaborates with her husband who is a native Vallartense, Arq. Cachi Perez, general director of Architect Cachi Perez and Associates, an award winning full service architectural firm in Puerto Vallarta serving the Pacific coast region for 25 years. You can contact them via phone at: 52-322-24163, via fax: 52-322-20794.

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