4 Common Questions to Ask Before Signing Your Custom Home Contract
One of the most important steps in the architectural process is proper communication—especially when it comes to architectural contracts. A properly prepared contract will clearly communicate terms and conditions, responsibilities of each party and set expectations for schedule and payment. That being said, even with a buttoned up proposal, I still receive great questions in need of clarification from prospective clients. Let’s investigate four common ones.
Can I request a simple sketch design instead of a full architectural proposal?
A few weeks ago, a couple approached Springhouse asking for a proposal. Specifically, they were considering adding a full master suite and possibly renovating their entire kitchen to make it larger with an eating area. This is a substantial project, because it involves two of the most expensive places in the house. So, I sent them a proposal of our full design services—which they were not expecting. Turns out, they only needed a sketch design so they could add up the square footage. They didn’t need a structurally designed plan yet, they just wanted to answer a simple question: Should we really do this?
I love that they felt empowered to state their expectations, because that’s the only way you and your architect will understand each other. In this case, the prospective client put us in a great position to offer them exactly what they’re asking for.
Do I have to pay multiple engineers for my custom home build?
We recently sent a full proposal to a prospective client for a new, modern custom home in Columbus, Ohio. As we’ve been emailing each other, the client inquired about the engineering clause, which states we don’t do any engineering. This is true; we don’t do any electrical, plumbing, or HVAC engineering—but we do include structural engineering in our full service plans. However, it doesn’t say why we don’t offer those in our contract, which is why this client was confused. He was also worried he had to pay each engineer separately. Good news! You do not have to pay extra for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and residential engineering fees. In residential construction, the architect drafts the architectural and structural plans, which are left blank for the electrician, plumber, and mechanical contractor to mark up their own plans and submit them for their own permit.
What’s the difference between a preliminary contract and a full service contract?
This past month, I presented a preliminary contract for a 150-year-old building, which means we’re investigating how the project could possibly work. The old building has structural issues, it also has code issues for what the client wants to use it for. She would like to rehabilitate this building, which could be a great idea! But this will also be a huge undertaking that needs investigation to decide if it’s worth doing the work.
When I sent her the contract, it was stated very clearly that this was just an investigation phase. Unfortunately, she misunderstood and thought she was receiving full architectural services for that price. Now we’re at the point where we’ve reached the end of our work together that was described in the contract, signed and accepted by both of us.
Business contracts are difficult. You need to take the time to understand what you’re signing and ask questions. As you embark on your renovation or building journey, you have to be prepared for a lot of contracts—some with the builder, some outside of the builder. Take the time to read them, understand them, and ask for clarification. Any good business wants to answer contract questions before everyone signs, so don’t be afraid to do this.
Is my custom home contract still good after one year?
About a year ago, I received an inquiry about building a local distillery tasting room. I excitedly sent them a proposal, and just heard back from them this week. Unfortunately, when COVID hit, they fell off the map, and they have a new round of investors. Now that restaurants and bars seem to be opening up, this client is ready to start the project, and wanted to know if their contract was still good. There’s no doubt the world has changed over the past year, so I told them I will need to review it thoroughly.
The moral of the story? If you’re sitting on a contract trying to make a decision, reach out before you spend too much time on it, like this distillery did.
Have any questions?
Contracts are tricky, but ongoing dialogue is imperative to a successful relationship with your architect and builder. The most positive outcomes happen when we answer many questions before signing.
Although we covered a lot in this post, you may still have some other questions about contracts. Whether you’re involved in the custom home process now, or even just considering it, join our free Facebook group—we’ll help you answer any questions you might have! Also, feel free to invite anyone that you think would benefit from this collaborative. You’ll not only get advice from me, but from other people who have been through this, too.
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When it comes to designing and building a custom home, nothing beats having a trusted, experienced team of architects on your side. Let’s set up a call to meet, discuss your goals, answer your questions, and settle your fears. We can’t wait to meet you!