Avalon Beach, New South Wales75 architects near you

To work as an architect, you need to have the State Diploma of Architecture (DEA). This diploma, which is a 5-year degree, can be obtained in many schools of architecture (national schools of architecture, INSA, ESA, etc.). The first cycle, which lasts 3 years, leads to a DEEA (Diploma of Architectural Studies), which allows students to work as employees in agencies or design offices. The second cycle lasts 2 years and leads to a DEA (Diploma of Architectural Studies) allowing to practice as an employed architect or civil servant. The realization of the project management by an architect requires the obtaining of the HMONP (habilitation to the project management in its own name), which is prepared one year after the DEA. This allows the architect to launch construction projects of more than 150 m² in his own name while becoming a member of the Order of Architects.

An architect works in various structures such as a design office or an architectural firm, or as a freelancer, i.e. on his own account. They can work with both private individuals and professionals in all sectors. He is involved at all levels of an architectural project: new constructions, extension of existing buildings, interior/exterior renovation, elevation projects, etc.

The architect is the only professional whose skills are recognised by law in the context of a construction project, extension, complete renovation of a building or rehabilitation, whether it is a house, a flat, a commercial premises or a building. He accompanies the client throughout the project, from the preliminary feasibility study to the monitoring of the construction site as project manager, including the design of the plans, the selection of service providers and the administrative procedures.

The use of an architect is compulsory for private individuals if the construction carried out is more than 150 m² after work in the case of an extension. The same applies to any new construction. This obligation has been effective since 1998 after the publication in the Official Journal of 6 April 1998: "When the modification concerns a building whose current net floor area is greater than the said threshold, the use of an architect is obligatory, whatever the surface area of the planned extension, except in the case of work exempted from planning permission pursuant to Article L.422-1 of the Town Planning Code. - Order of Architects The architect intervenes on two types of mission. On the one hand, there are consultancy missions which begin with the feasibility study. This first stage includes the choice of land, the choice of layout...), then comes the expertise, the drawing up of plans, etc. On the other hand, there are the missions of project management during which the architect carries out a technical diagnosis and proceeds with the design and monitoring of the work, among other things.

To find an architect, it is possible to turn to a directory like StarOfService. The search is easily done according to the region and city in which it is required. All you have to do is follow the steps indicated.

An architect's fees depend on many factors, such as geographical location, the professional's specialisation and experience, as well as the complexity of the work and the scope of the assignment. Depending on the work and the requirements, the fees can be a flat rate or a percentage of the cost of the work excluding VAT. For a partial service (design, building permit and selection of companies), the average rates are 5 to 10% of the total cost of the work excluding VAT, whereas they are 10 to 15% for a complete service, i.e. from design to delivery of the site. The fixed-price rates concern in particular the study and the realization of plans, approximately 65 € HT/m² for a minimum of 1 000 € HT. The architect is responsible for obtaining a building permit. He will be in charge of drawing up the file (plot plan, ground plan, etc.). This service is invoiced at €50 per square metre, excluding VAT. The price of a building permit depends on the scope of the work, with a minimum of €1,500, and the call for tenders from €3,000 excluding VAT.

The architect sometimes includes the cost of the estimate in the total cost of the work, so that the estimate is seen as free. However, sometimes the professional will charge for the time spent on the estimate.

- The architect can be chosen according to his specialisation.
- You can also choose according to his experience: the more experience he has, the better.
- An architect who is insured and registered with the Order of Architects is preferred.
- It is preferable to choose an architect who is close by (same town or same region).
Questions to ask an architect during the first contact : - How will the service take place?
- What do you suggest to carry out the project?
- What do you suggest to improve the project without altering it?
- Why you and not another architect?