First of all, congratulations on starting your building journey. Building requires a lot of time, money, and effort. Therefore bringing on board professionals that are reliable and ethical is essential. Architects are a relevant part of the building, so you need an Architect that brings value to the construction.

For this reason, you should ensure that the Architect you desire to hire is licensed. WHY? Well, a licensed Architect is qualified to undertake the design and construction of a building. A licensed practitioner will bring creativity and economic value to the project. Moreover, a registered architect will ensure they exercise a duty of care and, in doing so, develop a project that is in line with the health and safety standards and suitable for the need of the client.

According to the Legislative Guidelines and Model Regulation, an unqualified/unregistered person is involved in architecture will be held liable for their actions. Thus, Civil and Criminal suits may be instituted against such persons.

An Architect should explore the client’s values and design the building and bring out that element. There are four phases of the process;

• Pre-design/ Programming

• Schematic design

• Design development and Drawing

• Construction documentation

Each stage is involving, and there should be open and honest communication between the client and the Architect.

Exploitation by an Architect may come in several ways. While the Architect must enhance construction efficiency and cost-effectiveness, this should not be detrimental to the project.

These are the signs of exploitation you as a client may experience is;

1. Their design is not detailed.

A detailed design will enable the client to know the scope of the project. It acts as a guide to the contractors while bidding on projects.

2. There is no contract.

There ought to be a contract between you and the Architect to regulate the relationship. It will also determine the scope of service and the fees to be paid. Therefore guarantee your protection from the negligent acts of the Architect.

3. Uneconomical in construction administration

If your Architect is not acting in the best interest of the client, it is wrong. The Architect has a duty of care and should exercise this duty in their service provision. This means they should purchase standard materials and at a reasonable price. In bidding, they should recommend those that can ensure service delivery at a fair cost.

4. No open Communication

The Architect should involve you in every stage. This should be more of a collaborative project to ensure that the vision is brought to life. The Architect should always inform you of changes or modifications in the construction that will impact the building to prevent conflict.

A good Architect will protect the client from extra costs, ensure the project is up to the standard set and bring the client’s vision to life. Some provide this by taking up insurance to cover for any structural failures. That is why you need to have an architect that is trustworthy and ethical in their duties (https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/decoration-design-ideas/signs-that-you-should-become-an-architect/).