There is nothing more gratifying to a professional than receiving a practicing certificate after a rigorous course and examinations. One has the choice to seek employment in order to gain experience and save some cash or to plunge straight into self-employment.
While self-employment is the dream of many, it requires careful consideration and awareness of the industry before one goes into practice. It is easy to make mistakes.
Architecture is no different.
What mistakes can a newly-minted architectural firm make? Let’s look at a few:
1. Being solely motivated by anticipated financial returns and fame rather than viewing architecture as a way of impacting the environment and society. Architecture has a higher calling than merely being a way of paying bills. It is a creative undertaking and architects are supposed to derive pride from their work. Profits should be a byproduct of the impact of their ideas.
2. Undercutting competitors
Despite the fact that the rates for architects are clearly outlined, some new architects may choose to set their prices cheaper in order to draw in more clients.
Underbidding has a significant negative impact on the market as a whole and the industry. You may “win the contract,” but everywhere else you lose. Your income declines, but your costs remain the same.
By taking shortcuts and sacrificing quality, you run the risk of damaging both your personal and corporate reputations. Stick to the recommended fees.
3. Not communicating properly with the client
Your client is not an architect. Therefore, take time to explain concepts instead of rushing through as if you are dealing with a colleague. Ineffective communication almost always results in the firm delivering something the client did not want. Such instances can be disastrous for a firm’s reputation and goodwill.
4. Poorly remunerated and overworked members of staff
If you want to start well, come up with a reasonable remuneration scheme for both technical and support staff that rewards hard work and celebrates the contribution of each member of the team to the firm’s success. Anything else will lead to staff haemorrhage, poor work execution, “bare minimum” service from employees and customer dissatisfaction leading to loss of work.
5. Not changing with the times
A good architecture firm understands that change is inevitable and necessary. With the changing climate, environmental concerns, economic conditions, new materials, and technology, building design and architecture keeps getting a new definition. A firm that does not make any effort to cater to the changing demands of clients is sure to fail.
