Architect: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire an architect?

Architects design and plan buildings, houses and public spaces by using their ability to conceptualize a space. They can create new buildings or help restore old ones and will work on the project from beginning to end.

Contributions of a great architect:

• Are creative in their designs
• Able to take concepts and make them real
• Can communicate their design choices to the client

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance architect

The majority of architects will start their career working for an architecture firm where they can gain experience in designing different types of buildings and working on many projects. Within a firm, they might be able to gain expertise in projects, such as building restoration and then take that knowledge to specialize in that particular type of project.

Once architects have enough experience, they can work independently, where they work one-on-one with the client. Freelance architects tend to work on projects such as building houses or renovations. Freelance architects will come up with plans that suit the client’s specifications and can help them through the process of a new build or renovation.

What are the different types of architects?

Architects can create spaces based on their client’s specifications and will spend a few years after their formal training working with others who have more experience. It is vital that architects learn the craft from others so that most architecture firms will have architects at different levels. For example, it is common to see junior architects who are newly graduated from architecture school in a firm. Once they have the required amount of time working on different projects, they can move up the ranks and be the lead architect on projects. Other than these unofficial ranks, architects can also specialize in designing the type of buildings they find the most interesting. The following is a list of types of architecture that they can specialize in:

• Residential architect: Design residential buildings, such as homes or condos.
• Commercial architect: Design commercial buildings.
• Preservation architect: Focus on restoring historic buildings.
• Green building and retrofit architect: Specialize in designing buildings with environmental technologies.
• Architectural designer: Help design interior spaces of residential and commercial buildings.

Where to find an architect

To find the right architect for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Architectural schools: Graduates of architectural study programs usually need further training. So, if you are looking to hire an architect you can help train, architectural schools are a great place to start.
• Professional associations: Architects are required to be members of their regulatory body, meaning they will be listed among the other trained and licenced architects. By looking to professional associations to find an architect, you are guaranteed to find someone with the proper qualifications and experience.
• Freelance networking sites: Since a lot of architects will work independently, it is possible to find an architect through a freelance networking website. On these sites, you can post what type of project you need help with and then architects who are interested in working with you will contact you.
• Referrals: Asking friends, family and colleagues for reference is a great way to find an architect. That way, you will know that the candidate has the proper experience for the job.

Post your job online: Try posting your architect job on Indeed to find and attract quality architect candidates.

Skills to look for in a great architect

A great architect candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• Expert knowledge of design software
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Creativity and design skills
• High organizational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to guide and supervise team members
• Analytical skills

Writing an architect job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified architect candidates. An architect job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your architect job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on architect jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Architect
• Architecture
• Intern architect
• Architectural

Interviewing architect candidates

Strong candidates for architect positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Experience with working as part of a team
• Experience explaining design choices to clients
• Ability to work with difficult clients
• Willingness to learn from others
• Ability to write proposals

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of interview questions for examples (with sample answers).