Do you absolutely need an architect?

Hello Gerd,,

We want to build a single-family house in the spring and have already drawn our floor plan ourselves using a graphics program.
Do we absolutely need an architect to technically redraw our floor plan correctly? - Or is a technical draftsman and structural engineer sufficient?

This question implies that you a) believe you can design a "buildable" floor plan, b) want to award the contracts yourself, and c) want to save money in the wrong place.

I heard that a licensed structural engineer is also sufficient.

If it’s about the exemption procedure, that "can" be an alternative.

If so, how does it differ in price (approximately)?

The draftsman does not bill according to the HOAI.

And are there other reasons why one should definitely hire an architect (e.g. construction supervision, warranty)?

I increasingly wonder why people spend a lot of money on a single-family house but believe they must necessarily save at critical points of the construction project?

Rhine regards

I am increasingly wondering why people spend a lot of money on a single-family house but believe they have to save at crucial points of the construction project?

Sorry, but I can understand that. We also skipped the architect. I prefer to spend the money for the guy on my staircase or my tiles. We then took a standard plan from the catalogs and just modified it a bit. Sure, the architect might have been able to perfect some corner even more, but such a beautiful staircase also makes an impression...

Fortunately, our construction manager is also an architect and took a look to make sure there were no major mistakes. But he hardly had to change anything. What I wouldn’t dare to do is any huge floor plan without a template, but a standard thing—if it fits? Why not?

Hello,

Sorry, but I can understand that. We also saved ourselves the architect. I’d rather see the money for the boy spent on my staircase or my tiles. We then took a standard plan from the catalogs and only changed it a bit. Sure, the architect might have made some corner even more perfect, but such a nice staircase also makes an impression...

I think we are talking (writing) completely past each other here...

You also have an architect in the background if you signed with a general contractor. Even standard houses were once drawn and statically calculated. You don’t necessarily have to meet this architect; well-trained draftsmen can also conduct the necessary discussions after the contract is signed. Yes, even—with appropriate training—they can submit the building application for a standardized single-family house. You have—once you’ve moved in—definitely paid for the architectural service.

To me, the question from the OP read as if he not only wants to assign all trades himself but also wants to save the costs of proper planning since he already “designed” his floor plan. I do not know any draftsman qualified to start from zero with a blank sheet. If they could, they would have completed their training and would set themselves up as an architect.

I wrote my answer solely against this background. Since the OP has not contradicted me so far, I assume I can still trust my gut feeling.

Fortunately our site manager is also an architect and took a look at it to make sure there were no major blunders. But he hardly had to change anything. What I wouldn’t dare to do is any huge floor plan without a template, but such a standard thing—if it fits? Why not?

I always find site-managing architects interesting. My very personal opinion and certainly OT: for me, it’s comparable to a management consultant. If they were all so good, wouldn’t they have their own company/office?

Rhineland regards

Hello, I think we are really talking (writing) past each other here ...

Yes, I think so too. I thought the OP only meant the draft/plan for the house. I wouldn’t even think of creating and submitting the entire planning + structural engineering, etc. That was easily about 100 pages of just numbers and tables...

I always find building supervising architects interesting. My very personal opinion and certainly OT: to me they are comparable to a management consultant. If they were all that good, they would have their own company/own office Rheinische greetings

Yes, of course, he does. How else?

I wouldn't do that. I neither have the time nor the necessary experience to professionally supervise the trades. I've seen a few self-designed projects by amateurs, and even for me as a layperson, my hair usually stands on end – many mistakes are made. It’s not for nothing that there is several years of training behind it. There are many things you can do yourself, but construction management and planning should definitely be done by professionals. Additionally, you should also remember that in case of shoddy work, someone can be held liable. If you act as the construction manager yourself, it becomes even harder than it already is to enforce claims – insurance companies can be pretty cunning.