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jarviss_m
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:42 am Post subject: starting own firm....book suggestions? |
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i plan on starting my own office in the *VERY* near future.
i would like to know if you have any suggestions on any books i can purchase/reference.
i have many/varied concerns right now, not limited to the following:
-hiring (part time? full time? benefits?) i'm sure this varies state to state
-billing/invoicing
-basic office management
-fee structure for various project types
-anything for the "non-business background" person to get started.
i know this is a vague request, but would appreciate any suggestions.
has anyone read this book? http://www.amazon.com/Architects-Essentials-Starting-Professional-Practice/dp/0471234818
or if you have any good tips/funny stories/horror stories/etc to share, it would be greatly appreciated.
I'm sure this question has been asked before, and i'll continue to search this forum for assistance.
anyway, i'm located in northern CA.
Thanks for any suggestions!
-G |
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jarviss_m
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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nevermind about the book suggestions...i see the link at the bottom for books....
however...does anybody have any personal stories about starting their own firm?
or if you are or have been an employee at a *new* firm...things you've seen that could have or should have been done better or more efficiently?
anything really.....
thanks in advance!!
-G |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1979
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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since evey firm has its own...philosophy, the answer lies in the separation of the business of architecture and the profession of architecture. First anfd foremost, in my opinion, it has to run perfectly as a business...nothing unusual or that different from any other business. One thing I've read was the biggest mistake is beleiving that spending lots of money up front on non-producing items somehow will make business better (ie, expensive rental propeties, furniture, decor, yada, yada...) where the better business model is to expand as you generate more income. In other words, start small, and keep it simple.
But more importantly, the professional side also has two components of "business" and "architecture"...the business; marketing, proposals, presentations, contract agreements, proper bond/liability insurance, networking, schmoozing, bribing....ha! Jokes...  : the architecture; RFP preparations, the 5 phases of service, the design methodology, CAD management, Construction Document protocol & standards, specifications preparations, bid manual preparations, RFI protocols, stamps for shop drawing reviews, signing and sealing, accounts with a good printing company, Fedex/UPS, M.E.P....oh man...it's so hard to find good help!!
And then, take all of that and your diploma, throw it out the window, go get some jobs to start working on...do what ya gots ta do, get paid, learn and move on...sink or swim. At this point, if you're ready to open you're own firm, honestly, you shouldn't (theoretically) have to ask these questions. You should be able to rely on your experience, talent and business saavy...I just have one request: make some "beautiful" buildings! There's enough crap out there...
mx2.5
p.s. oh, in case you're wondering, I an not registered yet, currently studying, but with 10 years experience and have been always keeping an eye and ear towards opening my own one day too...my first boss put it the simplest: do or die, sink or swim...
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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rhs
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: Reading books about starting a firm? |
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Historically, "successful architectural firms" involve a minimum of three skills (RE: SOM, HOK, CRS and others in the past): Sales & Marketing, Design, and Technical Management. It is rare that one individual can be either good at all , or be able to spread themselves out to perform it all - and still have any kikd of a personal life (and they often don't anyway).
I agree with MX2's assessment - when you are ready to do it, reading books about it won't be the answer. Selling used-cars or being a waiter in a restaurant might be the best experience to develop the "sales skills" leg - there are lots of great design Architects who have gone bankrupt (including FLW - 3 times I believe). Most successful firms start with one or more "patrons" wo have the position to "send" them work. That doesn't happen without good, established personal relationships. Getting the nod over other equally or more qualified firms involves selling yourself (design skills don't win work - only awards from other designers - but that doesn't pay your bills).
Design skills allow you to solve your client's problems - and get you noticed by other potential clients (the infamous "foot-in-the door"). The technical & management skills allow you to produce what you promised - in an efficient manner - without being sued, and to keep the doors open long enough to develop business inertia (when you don't have to work to find your next project). But clients EXPECT that all Architectural firms have design skills - much like all surgeons are assumed to know how to operate. Some of the most un-skilled designers manage to be the most successful Architects - just look around!
I've been in all roles: 33 years after my BArch - 18 years owning my own very successful firm - with that wonderful inertia, and then deciding about 4 years ago to let someone else be the guy on the horse riding over the hill getting shot at! (Now, I manage the "technical skills" aspects). Not everything about owning a firm is fun: collections from friends that won't pay for work that you cut them a deal on, missing your kids growing up, dealing with so many personality issues - and of course trying to keep everybody happy!
But it can also be very rewarding: seeing your mental visulations turned into real building and living spaces - knowing that people enjoy what you did - and appreciate your tallents helping them! It can be quite a rush!
Figure out what you do best - learn to sell yourself (and I mean that in a GOOD way - that gets your designs and ideas sold), associate with others to support your weaknesses (either as partners or as separate consultants), and then have fun doing it! |
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jarviss_m
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:50 pm Post subject: thank you for the insightful comments |
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A little history to show you where i'm at and where i'm hopefully heading:
I graduated in 94 and gained licensure in the state I was living in at the time.
Since '94 I've had the pleasure to work in various firms and offices. I've gained enough knowledge to manage my own projects from beginning to end and am a "decent" designer...I know when/where to emphasize design to maximize effect, while still *trying* to bring these things in/under budget. I understand all of the potential problems that come along with a project and I'm comfortable managing the consultant team.
I've relocated to CA and have had the opportunity to work with a firm where I've recently completed the DD set of documents for a government agency. The agency uses a design-build model where the RFP A/E team (our firm) completes the DD set of drawings and then they award the project to a design-build team (with their own A/E).
This was the largest project I've managed on my own and was really pleased with the results (dd set of documents), as was the government agency. Many of the design-build teams commented directly to the government agency that the set of documents were well above what they were accustomed to bidding off of. These design build teams also complimented me directly and also my employers.
(i am not "tooting my own horn", i just want to give you the history of where i'm going).
Anyway...the design-build team was awarded the project and I contacted them to let them know that I am preparing to go out on my own.
(I really wasn't, but wanted to see their reaction).
They jumped at the chance to offer me the A/E work to complete the CD's for the project, I hurriedly agreed.
As fast as I can, I incorporated in the state of CA.
I talked to a lawyer, retained an accountant, talked to a previous employer about renting office space.
I have provided a fee proposal to the design builder and they are happy to work with me on this portion of the project, because if they went with another A/E team...that architect would be starting from scratch...whereas I'm extremely familiar with the project...it should cut down on possible problems and save time.
So in a matter of months, I've gone from employee to a corporation with a multi-million dollar project on the table.
Completing the construction documents will be fine, I have no reservations about that...
I consider myself to have good people skills, I can talk to clients, team members, consultants and effectively communicate what needs to be done under various circumstances.
however...running a business day to day would be a brand new experience for me and that's why i'm here
LOL
sorry for writing a book about this topic, but I thought if I gave you a little background, you could possibly undestand my question a little better.
Thank you and have a great day!
-G |
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88
Joined: 15 Nov 2005
Posts: 114
Location: usa
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| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Most founder of successful firm are not " good architect" in a classical -acadamic way. To be good at this as a business you need to be much much more than an architect.... or you might even need to forget your are an architect for a moment. If your personality does not fit that you will need a partner who can spearhead that for you.
If you are the boss and doing all the "worK" by yourself, you are still just like an employee for this design/build firm . Not a full time employee but a much cheaper " contract" base employee.
Your job as the boss is to get jobs and manage the growth. |
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