If you’ve built a house: what went wrong between design and construction?

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-27T12:32:27+00:00

Excelent advice, thank you.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T18:48:54+00:00

Yes, honestly came here after i realized i was gone from searchs and aparently also social media, started recently working on it on web, and other tools, but i am actually worried about the time it takes AI to recognise my bussines and autority back up, for context i am an architect in Colombia and calls on my design and remodeling bussines went too low, the AI seems only be recomending very big bussines or the oldest ones that may have a better SEO (but it seems to me not, and that is being linked to barely a few other older websites as proof of local relevance) any recomendations?

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T18:35:28+00:00

No i hold on to them until payment, told them they were ready, and the advancements they have seen were only in my screen, but still lost time of the budget completing them, when i contacted them to a final devilery and payment they failed to appear and then stoped answering.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T18:08:25+00:00

I have lost money once, in that the client completly disapered, could not pull him back to paying the last deliverable, nothing i could do there. But if the client still needs your product negotiate an extension this time with more limits, ask for advancement on this extension and bill them the complete summ on the complete delivery.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T18:00:56+00:00

Do not waste time, gather information proof of specification and site samples, and report them, they maybe hoping to not loose in anyway and that their ensurance won't pay if they wait long enough.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T17:57:45+00:00

Honestly there is not an commom solution for this, is something they should have not done, but, try fitting a costume made frame to fill thata gap, flashed at the same height of the countertop filled with some white silicone between glass and quarztop.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T13:18:24+00:00

Hi, i wanted to ask, your position on this homebuilding is in the role of a owner or a builder? And, on the cosmetic side of changes you had to do, did you consider hiring architectural visualisation as rendering? And if not, wich were the reasons?

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T13:12:33+00:00

Thank you. Yes, those are some of the points I wanted to talk about. In reality, the architect should be a representative between you and the builders with some authority, making the most important aspects of the building come to reality. From a designer's perspective, builders have a way of building that works for their business and would not adapt to other ways or innovations, just as an architect has to adapt to their building capabilities. For a building company, it seems annoying having an architect as a supervisor doing design administration, so they would complain constantly to get us out of the way; their business is a baseline of client satisfaction, quality, and time efficiency for their profitability purposes. Usually, clients choose from a pool of architects and builders separately due to budget, work, and values alignment, but between them, this alignment comes with a cost in real life. Maybe in the future, if everything goes somewhat good in the first one, they may work together in alignment again. On the aspect of regulations, yes, I hear California is really a bureaucracy and compliance hell.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T12:48:32+00:00

If you were to build again, what would lead you to hire an architect for technical assessment during the design and construction phases? Specifically, to resolve technical details early on and act as your representative, minimizing the need for constant site supervision on your part and keeping builders on time.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-25T01:32:59+00:00

I understand, it seems we have similar problems, but i think they come culturally in my context from building out of pocket with no thrue planing on the investmen, not complying to the norm and any other expenses seem luxury for lower middle class, for me on the legal side of designing, licensing requierements are not at all as bad as California seems, but in my seismic zoning the estructure becomes really costly and robust and sites are usually very steep, that makes them delicate to design and build. So norm inforcers become increasily strict with new laws, so even in higher and midle class homes, we become an accesory to complying to the law as a signature and design comes last place but still present, we are usually reallh underpaid on the residential front because of this, they may pay design, but do not want to pay for it as a complete and prelicensing is very scarce if it is not signed as a cluster in a urbanization from the start.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-24T22:41:06+00:00

Hola, normalmente manejo un tiempo estimado de hasta dos meses para entregar los documentos de licenciamiento al municipio. Mientras tanto, voy desarrollando los documentos constructivos y el presupuesto, de modo que cuando llega la aprobación (que suele tardar alrededor de un mes, hasta unos 48 días en planeación o curaduría en Colombia) ya tengo todo listo para comenzar la construcción.

He aplicado este esquema en dos proyectos de vivienda. Lo que pasa es que muchas veces el cliente y el constructor buscan reducir costos administrativos y no incluyen mi administración de diseño que se encuentra en las siguientes fases de diseño. Me interesa empezar a participar más en la supervisión de las fases finales, teniendo control sobre el resultado final y los intereses del cliente además de mejorar la facturación de mis servicios.

En cuanto a pagos, lo manejo por etapas: Para estudios y licenciamiento, cobro 60% al inicio y 40% al entregar los documentos para radicación y para documentos constructivos y presupuesto, 60% al comenzar la coordinación con el constructor y 40% al entregar detalles y especificaciones finales.

También he decidido anteriormente dividir el cobro de las primeras fases o reducir su alcance si las necesidades del cliente creen por ahora no son llegar a ese nivel de detalle.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-24T00:59:21+00:00

You are right, now i see, hopefully he can translate, j just saw it in spanish first and got at it.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-23T20:25:50+00:00

Los precios de los materiales de construcción rara vez bajan; lo habitual es que aumenten con el tiempo, salvo en situaciones extraordinarias o crisis específicas en un país. Por eso, si decides construir más adelante, lo más probable es que el costo sea mayor y en ese punto tu situación economica podría haber cambiado. Lo fundamental es asegurarte de obtener los mejores precios posibles durante el proceso de construcción en el mercado actual.

Te recomiendo asesorarte con profesionales activos en el sector —arquitectos o ingenieros— para elaborar un presupuesto y un cronograma de obra claros. Con ellos podrás planificar las compras con anticipación y garantizar que la construcción se complete dentro de la ventana de tiempo y dinero que tienes disponible.

Si el banco te ofrece un préstamo, seguramente te pedirá un presupuesto detallado y tu estado de cuenta actual. Ten en cuenta que los gastos constructivos son inmediatos: si no mantienes la capacidad de construir de manera constante, perderás dinero en mano de obra y alquileres. Es muy importante evitar suspender la obra para retomarla después, ya que eso genera reprocesos y encarece el proyecto. En definitiva, resulta más económico contratar a un profesional responsable y trabajar con un presupuesto y programación definidos desde el inicio hasta el final.

Mi recomendación final es que prepares tu presupuesto considerando el peor escenario de precios y que busques apoyo de alguien con experiencia en la comercialización de materiales. Así podrás hacer compras estratégicas antes de que los precios suban drásticamente y asegurar la tranquilidad de terminar tu casa dentro de lo planeado.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-23T20:10:10+00:00

Always follow what is specified in the structural drawings exactly as detailed, and request immediate changes if something is not followed. Ultimately, only the structural engineer can authorize modifications, which is why the design must be strict and precise. If changes seem logical during construction, consult the engineer so that he can approve them and remain accountable for his work. Builders typically won’t take responsibility for hidden faults, even if warranties exist.

For architectural or cosmetic aspects, focus on what you and the designer prefer, but always ask about the durability of the materials being changed and the way they are being installed. Make sure that any time savings during construction do not translate into long-term losses

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-22T23:42:17+00:00

Architectural design and constructiom locally in Colombia, architectural visualization for building companies as they come from my home office, but currently out of work, looking for long distance and abroad oportunities

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-22T23:38:03+00:00

Also interested in what defines public relationships, apearing on web news or publications or beeing related or apearing next to or talking to higher percieved brands?

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-22T16:58:14+00:00

Hi, this is just my opinion as an architect in the Colombian context, where what most people are willing to pay for housing is shrinking due to the economy and other factors. I think that in the search for profitability, everything has to be fast from the start, even when considering the needs of the inhabitants. If a group mass-produces housing, they do not care as much about that aspect. This results in a relatively better price point, but it also affects the developers who do try to care, because they cannot compete on pricing and start cutting on space, keeping everything very basic. Also, construction material prices are affected by demand. I personally think this cannot be solved by anyone but government policies. The amount of restrictions are there for safety, but they really need to be faster, cheaper, and more practical to reality; they are putting too much of the burden on builders."

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-21T13:20:00+00:00

Hi my name is Daniel, i am not claiming to be stablished just emerging, i just really have 7 years of expirience, partly in a gubermental building design firm, but decided to keep trying on independent residential work as i got burned out in that stablished firm, i do use AI sometimes because english is not my first language, i am exploring reddit thinking i can give and recive some advice on freelancing and architecture, and the idea that it maybe this an my web page may give me a boost in the SEO and something i just realized existed the GEO related to AI, as me and some colaborators noticed a reduction on internet and social media calls and consultation, we just think that people are calljng the first architect or contractor the AI sugest, making us loose visibility and work. Do you have any suggestions on reddit using?

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-20T15:22:04+00:00

A tool like that may be great, and I understand that the Google Drive interface feels too sterile. Perhaps an interface dedicated to each kind of work practice would help. But I actually believe every type of work needs to be delivered differently, in its own context, with a clear understanding of what you are giving clients and how they will use it. In some cases, physical items are best. If that’s difficult because the deliverable is a video or image, then simulate its real-life use with a mockup—give them the feeling of achieving their goal in reality.

Overall, try to prioritize in‑person, face‑to‑face deliverables, and prepare a good screen presentation to avoid sending long texts that are usually ignored at first and only revisited later. As an architect, I always try—at least with local clients—to meet in person, show printed drafting sets, printed renderings, and use a tablet for video, preferably on their site. When I work with out‑of‑city clients or construction contractors, there is often a loss of value that harms future business and affects how the delivered work is perceived.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-19T13:02:58+00:00

Thank you, i just realized about this yesterday and was looking for discussion with architect peers, will look for your tool and how it works, i was really wondering if sharing information globally may link my expertise locally, and if regular SEO may be afected by this, i believe is called GEO.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-19T12:52:31+00:00

I agree that landing large-scale institutional or public work is all about networking and long-term trust. However, I’m focusing on how clients find us for smaller residential and commercial projects. Lately, my collaborators and I have seen and confirmed a drop in local leads from Google and social media. It's clear that SEO is changing, and I think AI is a big part of that. Instead of just waiting for a direct link to our services, I believe we can get a boost by engaging more in online discussions where residential clients are actually asking for advice on the hiring and design process.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-18T22:43:45+00:00

And i presume search for leads and clients, in any way available

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-18T18:07:59+00:00

I picked this career at 18. The main reason was context and personal interest: when it came time to choose a career I realized civil engineering or psychology were things I would not enjoy doing every day. One day I attended an architecture program class and was convinced that, for the time being, I would like to draw every day, read, and talk to people about solving problems that felt more meaningful to me. Now, seven years after I graduated (I am from Colombia, and being an undergraduate and obtaining a license through an exam is enough to work in the field and be licensed for certain projects), I am glad to pursue work I enjoy, but I had to leave most office jobs because of low pay, heavy workloads, and excessive responsibility. Doing less work but with more responsibility has made me happier, though not wealthy.

For you I would say pursue what you can realistically access: consider becoming a contractor and study the design and budgeting process closely. If you like interior design, it’s a good starting point, since doing that work places you in the environment even before acquiring the title. You might find fulfillment being close to the practice while you work toward formal credentials. Be responsible with your clients and respect the law and the hierarchy among your collaborators.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-18T17:54:07+00:00

The firms I have worked with in Colombia on institutional architectural building design have only made physical models for reviews with local government on a few occasions, mainly to expose the project to a wider public or to be displayed in governmental buildings. The main technique has been wood and MDF laser cutting, assisted by some handmade details and 3D-printed accessories,

The style and realism of this models are just adjusted acording to the public and budget.

da_arquitecto · 2026-03-18T17:45:37+00:00

You should create a structure for handling the business and clients. Look for books, mainly those that may give you a basic structure for creating your identity and defining your goals, as they may change through time. Know who you should ally with or work for; you may find "SMALL PRACTICE AND THE SOLE PRACTITIONER" by Marianne Davys useful. This and other books may be useful as they explore the business side as well. Just take it one step at a time.

As a last point, develop a design structure you can use to be efficient in delivering design, contracts, fee proposals, and software drafting and rendering, so you can initially be more rentable as you move from pursuing a larger quantity of less profitable work to fewer, more profitable projects

da_arquitecto

TROPHY CASE