The owner is the individual or entity that funds, and holds legal rights to the property or project. They define the project’s vision, identifies the specific needs (e.g. number of rooms, types of spaces, etc.), and hire key team members—such as architects and general contractors to design and execute the construction..
An architect is a licensed professional who designs and observes the construction of buildings. Architects lead the planning & design process, prepare plans & documents, coordinate engineers & consultants, obtain planning & building permit approvals, and protect the owners' interests through construction observation.
A General Contractor is a state-licensed building professional who manages, supervises, and builds structures for shelter or support, typically requiring at least two unrelated building trades (e.g. electrical, plumbing).
A Residential Designer focuses on space layout, appearance, and functionality of a home. They often create drawings for permits and coordinate with engineers and consultants. Their role is narrower than an architect's, but can cover most basic design needs for a residential project. Residential Designers are not licensed by the state, and therefore, not required to perform at the same "Standard of Care" (i.e. Professional Benchmark) that an Architect is required to practice at.
Often led by the Architect, Design-Bid-Build (DBB) is the most common design and construction approach for residential homes. It is a linear progression of activities where first, the project is designed, then the owner receives estimates (bids) from multiple General Contractors (GC), a builder is selected based off of the bid estimate, experience, and capabilities, and finally, construction occurs.
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Design Build (DB) is another project delivery approach that can be beneficial depending on the owners comfortability and experience with the design and construction process. Often led by a General Contractor, DB is a collaborative project delivery method where a single entity (the design-builder) is responsible for both the design and construction phases under one contract.
A good approach is to first verify an Architect's license through the state licensing boards (https://www.cab.ca.gov/cons/archs/lic_search.shtml). Secondly, interview candidates and share your goals and project budget. Ask questions regarding their experience in residential and/or fire rebuilds, what their cost/rate is, how many projects are they currently undertaking and do they have availability for your project. Request for them to provide you references and their portfolio for your review.
They may charge an hourly rate, a percentage of the cost of the construction work, or a fixed/stipulated lump sum fee. Rates vary by region, experience, delivery method, and the complexity of the scope of the work. The contracts should clearly define reasonable expectations for all parties. Some good questions to ask your Architect/Designers:
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How many design options are included in the contract price?
Is support for helping the owner select a General Contractor from the bids included?
Are site visits to observe construction included, and if so, at what quantity? If additional to the contract price, at what hourly rate?
What is not included in the contract price? What are additional services?
SoCalNOMA seeks to advance and support the education and careers of those who have been historically under represented in the field of architecture and various allied design/build professions.
