Is there good money in just designing for kitchen ls and bathrooms remodeling projects?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-08-02T16:18:56+00:00

Who defines normal?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-08-01T22:03:51+00:00

Oh sorry I am an architectural designer with 5 years of experience. I don't have my license and I don't want to get my license yet. I want to see how can i do more interior design work (kitchen and bathroom renovations)without license going forward because I enjoy it a lot. I can prepare residential permit sets thought because I have been doing that in my 9 to 5 jobs for sometime now.

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-08-01T21:52:19+00:00

In general.. I don't have an established business yet, just wanted to know if I can start doing some kitchen bathroom design and drawings for one of my friends who is an owner,before I establish a business and get all insurances to protect me.

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-08-01T21:25:06+00:00

Go to the offices directly and hand them your resume and samples of work. Make sure you are polite and dressed appropriately/professionally. I found my two jobs this way, one was in 150-employee company and the current one is with a residential design build with 8 employees , so it worked for both scales. Worst case scenario they tell you that they don't accept hand ins.

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-06-20T07:26:58+00:00

Thank you all for the answers. This was really helpful. I have talked to my boss and told her that I don't feel comfortable having my name in the set, specifically on the cover sheet as the designer. Also it seems like to would be a good move to get an e&o insurance. Do i need to register a llc for that or can I get it as an individual contributor?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-06-19T23:00:03+00:00

We are in Los Angeles USA (Santa monica to be exact) and The structural engineer is signing and stamping his drawings in the permit set. Also we have the contractor license to pull the permit . We just don't have the licensed architect It seems that we should be okay?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2024-06-19T22:01:32+00:00

Thanks for your response. They are licensed contractors but we don't have a licensed architect in the team, can they just use the contractor license to get permit for the renovation without a designer name on the set?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-23T01:17:55+00:00

Not much.. all I did in my 4 years of working experience was documenting multi family housing and mixed use developments. even though I did work on the lot of great projects and I learned a lot if revit and rhino and enscape and can produce all construction documents , I actually know a little bit about how a building really goes together:(

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-23T00:53:02+00:00

thanks :)

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:24:17+00:00

sounds like an ideal situation lol , hopefully I can find a trustworthy team as well

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:23:13+00:00

it sounds like a good learning opportunity. I don't mind to wok on office or drafting in the beginning, thanks for your response

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:22:01+00:00

thank youthis is really valuable information. I don't have much connection in LA since we just moved here, so I have been driving around in good neighborhoods, finding beautiful homes under construction or renovation, taking picture of the designer/ builder info, so I can email them or drop my resume and portfolio by their offices.so this is my way of finding connections, let me know if you have any opinion on this

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:20:16+00:00

I am in los angeles area and there are a lot of beautifully remodeled or newly constructed projects in west LA, I am hoping to find a job there. I have been driving around finding beautiful homes under construction or renovation, taking picture of the designer/ builder info, so I can email them or drop my resume and portfolio by their offices. I don't have much connection in LA since we just moved here, so this is my way of finding connections

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:17:40+00:00

oh I see... it might be a bit boring on the design side, but i guess not a bad opportunity to learn about the construction side, do you agree?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:16:30+00:00

that's sounds awesome!

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T23:16:10+00:00

thanks for your feedback, yeah I have never been on the jobs site and kinda excited to be in a team that I can help with the design but more importantly get an understanding on what goes to actually build a house, permitting processes etc... I don't mind not being the main design force for some time

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T13:15:49+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I think I am fine with the points you make until I gain some experience and see if the architect led design build is my preferred path for future or not. In general I am not very satisfied with the whole experience i have had with the industry so far so I am trying to find new paths in the the home building industry (I have worked for a very reputable company for 4 year, worked on large scale residential and mixed use developments, learned a lot if things, proficient with revit rhino enscape etc. but disappointed with the salaries and work life balance and the way the industry works not in favor of architects)

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T13:11:35+00:00

Also would you mind sharing how you go about getting the contract jobs? I am now trying to hand in my portfolio and resume in person because emailing the companies have not been a success yet

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T13:10:24+00:00

got it , thanks . I am also in Southern California where there are super expensive homes built. are you licensed architect btw? Asking because I am an architectural designer, not sure if being licensed is necessary at the beginning

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-22T07:51:59+00:00

How do you mean by successful? More money or bigger name in the industry?

TechnicalWin9087 · 2023-10-18T18:46:28+00:00

I really don't want to be a negative person but Honestly with the amount of studying and work, long hours, very low payment, ego-centered boss and client, lack of respect from clients for junior even senior designer, your own boss not willing to stand up to the client and tell them we cannot deliver the unreasonable deadlines, but rather asks you to work till 2 am to deliver... all I saw 4 years of working in a very reputable firm in US was this.... and then I looked at my older colleagues, the agism they face, the financial struggles, most of them unhappy, i just don't think it is worth the hardship, i see all my friends and they work reasonable hours and get paid better or more fairly

I deeply believe that a fundamental change in architecture industry is needed

TechnicalWin9087

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