Selecting an Architect for your School Construction Project

by David Cullen, President & CEO, J. P. Cullen & Sons, Inc.

Wisconsin schools are getting old, giving rise to a flurry of school construction projects. If you're among those planning to renovate your existing structure or to build a new one, here are some tips that can help you emerge from the construction process with a successful project — and your sanity intact.

Selecting an architect
You may have experience with an architect, or you may have a local favorite. Consider using the Quality Based Selection method recommended by AIA Wisconsin (American Institute of Architects). An impartial consultant will meet with you at no charge to provide you with some guidelines. For details, contact QBS facilitator Christine Sloat at 608-524-1397 or e-mail csloat@jvlnet.com. Other options are to advertise in a trade journal such as Western Builder or to seek candidates through newspaper advertisements.

Experience and references — those provided to you as well as others you may learn of on your own — will be key issues as you narrow your list.

Yet another factor to consider is the organization's structure. In a large firm, the individual marketing the group's services may not design your project. Be sure you sense a good match with the person who will be responsible for meeting your design needs as well as with the one who will communicate with you and the contractor at the construction site.

What will it cost?
Architects base their fee on a percentage of the overall cost of the project. I don't recommend trying to negotiate a lower fee; competition in the field keeps fees reasonable, and if you try to reduce the fee, you may end up with a comparable reduction in service.

Writing the contract
Developing your own contract or having an attorney draft one is not a good investment. You'll be further ahead to use standard forms developed by AIA; they have been formulated with input from architects, contractors, owners and attorneys. You may want to have your attorney review the final draft.

What to expect for service
Make your architect a full partner with you and your contractor. You should expect a field representative from the firm to spend either a full or half-day at the site every other week. Although this person will be "in the trenches" with you, maintain contact with a principal of the firm, someone with decision-making authority who can address concerns that may arise at any stage.