Building A Freelance Career In Architecture

I’ve worked as an architect for more than 30 years, traveled the world, and worked with some of the most respected names in the industry.

In this article, I’m going to share my experience and advice on how to become a successful freelancer in architecture something that I have been doing for almost 10 years now.

Building a freelance business in the Digital Age. – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Understand the benefits and challenges of freelancing as an architect.
2. Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your architectural projects and skills.
3. Network within the industry to connect with potential clients and collaborators.
4. Set competitive and fair pricing for your freelance architecture services.
5. Stay informed about legal and financial considerations relevant to freelancing.
6. Continuously improve your skills and stay updated with industry trends.
7. Utilize online platforms and marketing strategies to promote your freelance services.
8. Manage your time effectively and maintain a steady workflow.
9. Foster strong client relationships and provide exceptional customer service.
10. Seek professional guidance and stay connected with the architectural community.

Table of Contents

Pack Your Kit Bag With Inspiration

You’ve probably heard this before, but when it comes to the creative process, inspiration is everything. But where do you find inspiration?

In all kinds of places from a sunset on a holiday, to an old book, you found at a flea market. The important thing is that your mind is open and ready to take in information from the world around you.

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Reveal You Are True Ambition

It’s important, to be honest with yourself about your goals and ambitions. If you’re not confident in what you want to achieve, people will notice and lose trust in your abilities.

Be realistic about your abilities: don’t try to become an expert overnight; think long term rather than short term. You need to keep a level head and be prepared for some hard work.

It may take time before you get noticed as an architect but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed as one. The most important thing is patience because this business takes time. Don’t expect things to happen overnight get ready for anything that comes your way!

Plan Your Escape Carefully

Plan your escape carefully. Before you leave your work, make sure that you have a plan in place for what comes next. You may have to consider the following:

Researching the market and getting in touch with potential clients

Getting your name out there, whether through networking or social media

Make sure that you’re using your CV to its full potential when applying for jobs (more on this later)

Once you’ve done all of these things, all that’s left is getting a job. However, just because it might feel like something is missing doesn’t mean it is. There are lots of jobs out there and they are waiting for people who give them their best shot!

Put Together A Business Plan

A business plan is a detailed document that lays out the vision for your freelance practice, including the services you will provide, how your business will operate, and any obstacles you might face. The plan should be flexible and allow for changes as your career grows.

It should also be easy to read so anyone interested in hiring you can get an idea of what they’ll be getting if they decide to hire you.

I recommend creating one page per month (or even week) that covers a few of these topics:

Projects completed during this period (with client names)
Expenses related to those projects (materials, travel expenses, etc.)
Potential clients who have expressed interest but haven’t made any decisions yet

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Get To Know The Competition And Define Your Niche

There are several things you should know about your competition. First, learn who they are, what their specialty is, and what they’re charging for projects similar to yours. This will be helpful when it comes time to price out a project yourself.

Second, evaluate the quality of their work about yours by looking at samples online or meeting with them directly (if possible). You’ll want to make sure that your work is not only better than theirs but also differentiated from theirs in some way so that clients can see why you’re worth hiring over them.

Third, try as much as possible not to copy other architects’ styles it’s easy for clients or others who may have worked with both of you before noticing if this has happened.

Draw Up A List Of Contacts – And Get In Touch With Them As Soon As Possible

Once you have your CV and a portfolio, it’s time to build your network. This means contacting anyone you know who works in the architecture field.

This may include:

People you’ve worked with before – either on a freelance or permanent contracts (including small firms, construction companies, and even property developers)

People that you have met at events or workshops (for example, if there is an annual conference or exhibition for architects)

Friends who work in architecture

Friends who know someone in the business

You should also be sure to join any relevant professional bodies or associations, such as RIBA and RICS. You’ll find this invaluable when trying to make connections with other professionals across all fields of architecture-related work (i.e., not just those directly related to building design).

Prepare For Regular Highs And Lows In Work And Income Throughout The Year

As you get started, it’s important to be aware that your income is likely to fluctuate throughout the year. You should try to prepare for this and make sure your budget is flexible enough so that you don’t have to worry about money when there are slow months (or even years!).

Here are some tips on how to manage these fluctuations:

Make sure your expenses are covered. You’ll want to have enough money in the bank at all times so that you can pay bills, taxes, and other fixed expenses without worrying about them during slow periods.

Plan for tax payments-especially if they’re due soon! I recommend setting up an HSA account as soon as possible after starting work as a self-employed architect (this will help save on healthcare costs).

And keep track of any tax-related deadlines; most states require architects to file quarterly reports with their state tax agency, which means filing early in order not to be late paying taxes due later in the year might be a good idea depending upon where your business has its primary location(s).

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Find An Accountant You Can Trust

Once you start working as a freelancer, your finances will become even more complicated than they were before. It’s important to find an accountant who understands this and can help you set up a system that works for you.

The best accountants are those who are willing to work with their clients on establishing a system of tracking business expenses that makes sense for them and also keeps private information safe.

You want someone who will be able to give advice when necessary, but also understand when it’s best not to interfere in your business practices too much.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Failure – It’s The Best Way To Learn About What Not To Do Next Time Around

Failure is always a possibility, but it’s not something to fear. It’s the best way to learn about what not to do next time around. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can recover from a failed project and move on with your career.

A few years ago when I was in architecture school, I designed an addition for my professor’s house in San Francisco. It was supposed to be built out of prefabricated aluminum siding panels with wood trim details (the kind used on industrial buildings).

When I finished designing it and presented my work he looked at me very seriously and said: “I’m sorry but we’re going with traditional materials.”

Needless to say, this was quite disappointing because I had spent countless hours designing this cool modern addition which now would never be built exactly as planned because of one comment from my professor.

However, after taking some time off from my computer screen (while secretly plotting revenge) “failing” this project taught me many things about myself and architecture design that still help me today.

even though there are plenty of other projects that were better suited for construction using traditional materials such as wood/plywood framing systems versus aluminum paneling systems which were more expensive with higher installation costs.

due mainly because they required special equipment that wasn’t readily available locally where we lived back then (California).

Project Manage Yourself Properly To Avoid The Stress Of Deadlines

There are plenty of obstacles that might stand in the way of your success, but with the right tools and techniques at hand, those challenges can be easily overcome.

Here are some helpful tips for managing yourself properly:

Set up a project management system. This will help you keep track of all the tasks involved with each project and ensure they’re completed on time. Make sure to always include deadlines as well as a checklist so you know where you’re at with each step.

Manage your time effectively by setting hourly goals and sticking to them and don’t forget to bill your clients! It’s important not only because it helps ensure they remain happy (and thus more likely to pay) but also because it protects against stress caused by overdue invoices dragging on longer than necessary.

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Keep Up-To-Date With New Software, Programmes And Methods

In the architecture industry, there’s a new piece of software or method being released every day. If you’re not keeping up with these advancements, you can quickly be left behind in the dust.

It’s important to try out all the latest pieces of software and programs before using them on real projects because they have bugs that need fixing before they can be used properly.

For example, I recently tried Autodesk’s BIM 360 Field app for smartphones which allows me to do site surveys on my phone instead of carrying around a laptop everywhere I go; however it took me several attempts before I finally figured out how to use it properly (I was just looking at 2D plans instead of 3D models).

Never Stop Learning – Sign Up For Courses, Workshops, Or Tutorials

Learning from your mistakes is a great way to improve your work and learn from your successes. If a project went well, try and figure out what made it so successful. Was it the client? The process? The design itself? Take note of these things and apply them to future projects.

However, if a project didn’t go well for any reason, look back at it critically and ask yourself why this happened – was there anything you could have done differently? Is there something that could’ve been done better?

In this way, you can learn how not to repeat those mistakes in future work while also understanding what went wrong so that you can avoid these problems in future jobs.

To be able to do this effectively though, we recommend taking part in an architecture competition or having an internship or apprenticeship where other architects will review your work regularly.

this way they’ll be able to help identify areas where improvement could be made based on their own experiences/expertise while simultaneously giving valuable tips on how best approach certain situations which might otherwise seem too daunting.”

Steer clear of drama! think twice before you make a snarky comment, or react angrily in high-stress situations over money, deadlines, or work quality

“Drama” is a word that gets thrown around in the architecture world. It can mean little or nothing, and it can also be used to describe something quite serious. Understanding how to handle yourself (and others) during stressful situations will help you avoid drama before it starts.

You should also be able to recognize when someone else is stirring up unnecessary drama for no good reason and steer clear of them until things calm down so as not to get caught up in the fray yourself.

If you find yourself facing an issue with another architect, client, or colleague, take time off from dealing with them until you have had time to cool down and think clearly about your next steps.

If possible, let someone else know what happened so they can keep their eyes open for any further issues related to this person or situation but only if there are ongoing concerns worth reporting.

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Final Thoughts

Ultimately, working as a freelance architect can be hugely rewarding in the long run. But it’s not just a case of knowing your angles and being able to draw pretty pictures on the screen.

For most people, it’s going to be an uphill struggle, in the beginning, so you need to mentally prepare yourself for that and plan accordingly. If this is something you want for yourself though – go for it!

People Also Ask

What Is The Best Way To Start Building A Freelance Career In Architecture?

Good question! The first thing you want to do is figure out what you want to work on. Do you want to work on designing homes and offices, or are you more interested in commercial projects?

Are you interested in working on residential projects, or would you rather focus on commercial buildings? Once you’ve decided on the type of project that interests you most, think about where you can find those jobs.

Are there any local architects who are looking for help? Have any of your friends told you about any jobs they might need help with?

Once you’ve done all that, it’s time to put yourself out there! Check online job boards for positions that match your interests and skills you may even find some opportunities through social media.

What Is The Best Way To Start A Freelance Career In Architecture?

It’s important to get your name out there, so it’s a good idea to start with active networking. The internet is a great place to find clients and build connections, but there are also plenty of opportunities for you to meet people face-to-face and build up your portfolio.

If you’re working with a commercial architect, they may have connections with other companies that need help on particular projects; take advantage of this by offering to do free work for them!

What Should I Charge For My Services?

The best way to determine your rate is by looking at what others are charging for similar work (you can search online or ask around). Don’t forget about overhead costs such as materials, equipment, and office space!

How Do I Get Paid?

There are a lot of options here for example, invoice clients directly; set up a payment plan where clients pay monthly installments over time; accept credit cards if possible; or use an escrow account where payments are held until the completion of the project (this protects both parties against disputes).

What Is The Difference Between A Contractor And A Freelancer?

A contractor is someone who works for you, and a freelancer is someone you work with. If you need help with your website, for example, a contractor might make your site for you, but a freelancer would help you build your site.

What Are The Advantages Of Being A Freelance Architect?

One of the biggest advantages of being a freelance architect is that you have creative freedom. You can decide what projects to take on without answering anyone else’s needs or desires. You also get to choose how much money you want to make and what sort of work environment suits you best.

The downside of this flexibility is that it can be difficult to find clients initially but as long as you’re willing to put in some time and effort into marketing yourself and getting referrals from past clients, it’s possible!

Will I Need Any Special Licenses When I Set Up My Architecture Firm?

If so, what kinds? You’ll need the same licenses as any other architecture firm: an Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) license and an architectural license issued by your state or local government.

Why Did You Choose To Become An Architect?

I’ve always loved architecture, ever since I was a kid. I used to draw houses and buildings when I was young, and my parents would help me find blueprints so that I could figure out how they were built. There’s just something about structures that fascinates me.

It’s like solving a puzzle you have to take all of the factors into consideration and make sure they come together in a way that makes sense.

What Do You Love Most About Being An Architect?

I love the process of building something that will last for generations. There’s something really special about making something that will stand the test of time, and seeing people use it in ways you never could have imagined when you first set out to build it.

How Do You Find Inspiration For Your Work?

It’s hard not to be inspired by everything around us the things we see every day are part of our environment, whether we realize it or not.

I’ve always been fascinated by how people use space and make use of materials, so when I go out for walks or drive around town or look at old buildings in other cities or countries, those are all things that inspire me.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.