Questions & Answers

The short answer is that an architect is the only professional who is licensed to guide you through the design and construction of one of the largest investments of your life. We are your friend, your visionary, your planner, your designer, your navigator, your problem solver, your advisor, and your advocate. Below is a brief list of descriptions of each of these roles and values that an architect can bring to your project. 

Friend: You will most likely be spending the next eighteen months working with your architect, so it’s important that you trust your architect, that you enjoy working together, that your architect cares about you and your family, and that you maintain open and honest communication. Your architect is committed to designs that support the health, safety, and wellbeing of your family and can give you peace of mind while helping you really enjoy the process of planning and building your new home. 

Visionary: Many clients already own land or know the property that they intend to buy, but they can’t envision how it can be used most effectively or how the house will integrate with the site. Similarly, many clients know what rooms they want or the general style of their desired home, but just can’t imagine how the rooms will be arranged to be most functional and complimentary to their style. Your architect can be your eyes, seeing the hidden potential embedded in your property or your list of rooms and help you bring those things to life through an evolution of descriptions, sketches, construction drawings, and construction. 

Planner: No one knows what tomorrow will hold, but your architect can help you do your best to plan for the future by viewing the project and your situation wholistically, addressing scenarios you may have overlooked or not considered, and offering lessons learned from previous clients and experiences. 

Designer: As one of the largest purchases of your lifetime, your home should be carefully crafted to be exactly what you want and need. Your architect will use the information you provide to design a home that is hyper-unique to you and your family; it will be specifically tailored to embody your needs, wants, lifestyle, goals, values, aspirations, and personality At Rowen, we pride ourselves on being artists whose medium of choice is the built environment. We are composers - shaping space, material, and light to elicit an emotion in each room that compliments the experience of the whole project. 

Navigator: Architects are specifically skilled and experienced to strategically coordinate the myriad of requirements present in every project - functionality, beauty, building codes, zoning laws, association regulations, building science, safety concerns, accessibility, structural requirements, mechanical systems, construction cost, lifecycle cost, psychology of the built environment, engineering and consultant coordination, etc. Your architect will be your resource to guide you through these project complexities. 

Problem Solver: Every project has its own challenges, but your architect will leverage their experience and creativity to wholistically address any difficulties and help you come to a creative and satisfactory resolution. 

Advisor: Hiring an architect increases financial value for several reasons. If initial cost is your primary concern, then an architect can design your project to be built more economically. By solving problems and confirming the design on paper, your architect can help you avoid costly changes that might otherwise happen during construction. If lifecycle cost is your priority, an architect can design to reduce utility bills and maintenance, and maximize material longevity. And if you sell your home in the future, architect-designed homes typically sell for three to nineteen percent more than comparable homes in their area because of their beauty, quality, and functionality. 

Advocate: During construction, your architect is your representative on site. They are the bearer of knowledge about your goals, values, intentions, and needs. They offer the strength of continuity that bridges the gap from design to construction. Your architect provides the peace of mind that your best interests are being protected and that your house is being constructed based on your design. 

Here's the long version ... Our architectural process is founded on our relationship with you, so it all begins with a conversation. We want to hear your story. We want to know who you are, what you do, and why you do it. We want to know what your family is like and the activities you enjoy; what things you value and the things that are unique to your family. We also want to learn about the project you have in mind – the size, style, budget, timeline, etc. If we agree that we are a good fit for each other, then we’ll work together to get an agreement in place that defines the roles, responsibilities, and details of our professional relationship. Once that agreement is in place, we dive into our work together. 

The architectural process is generally defined by five distinct phases: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, and Contract Administration. The following paragraphs describe our process and the role that we play in each of these phases so that you can understand the entire process and set your expectations accordingly. 

PROGRAMMING: The intent of this phase is to develop our understanding of your philosophical and practical intentions for the project. For some architecture firms, pre-design and programming is an optional service, and additional cost, that is available if the owner thinks it is necessary. At Rowen, we believe that this phase is so foundational to the project that it is a standard part of our process. This is the information gathering phase. What we learn with you during this phase is the life of the project; it is the “why” that informs every decision we make moving forward and sets the trajectory for the rest of the project. 

We begin this phase by sending you three questionnaires. The first is personal in nature and is intended to help us get to know you as an individual or family. The more that we know about you and the things that are close to your heart – your history, dreams, values, goals, personalities, interests, etc., - the more we can specifically cater this home to you. The second questionnaire is very practical and addresses things like schedule, budget, utilities, site selection, and communication, that will help us manage your project effectively and meet your expectations. The third questionnaire is all about the building program and helps us understand the composition of the home. These questions examine each indoor and outdoor space to pinpoint the requirements of every room. Once you have had time to work through the questionnaires, we will meet with you to discuss your answers, hear about any discoveries you made along the way, and ask some follow up questions to better understand the “why” behind your answers.  

During this phase we also collect all of the existing information about your property and compile all of the regulatory parameters that will affect the project. These include a site survey, legal descriptions, pre-approved septic and well location information, building code requirements, zoning requirements, HOA covenants, flood zone and lakeshore restrictions, wildland urban interface requirements, and any other applicable regulations pertaining to the property.  Once we feel like our “big picture” questions are answered, that the project parameters are in alignment, and that we are unified with you about the general project direction, then we will present a programming document that chronicles all that we have discussed. When you have reviewed and approve of the content, we will transition into the Schematic Design phase. 

SCHEMATIC DESIGN (SD): In this phase we translate the project parameters into conceptual design ideas. All of the work performed in this phase is sketched by hand to maximize flexibility and iterate quickly. Starting at a master plan scale, we define all of the site parameters like primary views, driveway and entry sequence, locations of all utilities, general house location and orientation, outdoor spaces, vegetative and topographical elements to be preserved, solar access, etc. Once the master plan is organized, we move to building-scale decisions. Here we establish public/private gradient, general room locations, room orientation, solar and ventilation access, horizontal and vertical circulation, general structural and utility requirements, overall feel of the progression of spaces, etc. When the building-scale decisions feel balanced, correct, and appropriate, we narrow our focus even more to the rooms themselves. We craft each individual space – its dimensions, height, views, visual and acoustic privacy, circulation, furniture layout, etc. by taking into account the intended use of the room, the user’s physical and psychological requirements, furniture and space needs, and the space’s relationship within the larger design. Then we go back to the master plan scale and iterate the process again and again, each time using what we’ve learned previously to refine our decisions in order to eliminate any things that aren’t working and improve the things that are. At the end of this phase, we will present hand-drawn site plans, floor plans, elevations, and written descriptions that define the overall intent of the project. When you have reviewed and approve of the Schematic Design phase documents, we will transition into the Design Development phase. 

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT (DD): This phase adds legitimacy to the design by developing it from a well-defined idea into a tangible building. We begin by modeling the approved schematic design in Revit, the most robust and thorough architectural software available. This process defines the foundation system, exterior and interior wall systems with thermal and moisture barriers, structural system, materials, flooring and roofing assemblies, windows and door locations and materials, and some finishes. Rooms and spaces continue to take shape and the design is refined to account for construction assemblies and necessary building systems. Thus begins another cycle of iteration, room by room, to ensure that all of your programmatic requirements are met. During this phase we will coordinate the design with engineers and other specialty consultants that the project requires or that you prefer.  At the end of this phase, we will present an updated programming document and a computer-drafted drawing set including a site plan, foundation plan, floor plans, roof plan, elevations, sections, details, and written descriptions that identify and describe major materials and systems, and establish their general quality levels. At this point, most clients feel like the architectural documents are complete because the design is well conveyed and fairly thorough, however it only accounts for about 60% of the information that a builder will need to complete the project and execute the details that will truly make your home what you want it to be. The drawings and information included in the Design Development documents is often referred to as a “builder set” because this would represent a final set of drawings for most contractors with in-house design services. This works for some builders but it leaves a lot to be figured out during construction where experimentation and coordination can be costly. We take the documents to the next level to ensure that you know every detail of your home before you begin construction. When you have reviewed and approve of the Design Development phase documents, we will transition into the Construction Document phase. 

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS (CD): The Construction Document phase is when we add the remaining 40% of information to the documents to create a full contract document package. By this phase, the overall project design is finalized and only minimal changes are made in response to specifying and detailing each individual design element or to incorporate owner-initiated changes. Using the approved Design Development drawing set as our starting point, we dive deep into the details to convey the intent of nearly every aspect of the design. We cover things from the way a vapor barrier interfaces with surrounding construction systems to the way a waterfall countertop meets your flooring, from the dynamic coefficient of friction on your shower tile to the stain color of your built-in book case.  Some of these details you will see every day while others you will hopefully never need to think about, but each of them is necessary to ensure that your home meets your expectations, performs well, and protects the health, safety, and welfare of your family. At the end of this phase, you will have a complete contract document set, with drawings and specifications, that illustrate and describe your project in enough detail to ensure that its construction will meet your qualitative and quantitative goals and the requirements of local building and zoning authorities. When you have reviewed and approve of the Construction Documents, we will transition into the Negotiation phase.   

NEGOTIATION: The intent of the Negotiation phase is to find and engage a qualified contractor to build your home for a reasonable price and in a reasonable amount of time. Historically, owners could have contractors competitively bid on a project to ensure a low cost, but with the current surplus of construction projects in the Flathead Valley and volatility of materials prices, a negotiated agreement with the contractor is really the only option. As you search for a general contractor to build your project, we assist you by helping evaluate qualified contractors, answering questions and providing clarification about the construction documents, and helping obtain negotiated proposals for construction. The prospective contractor will use the construction documents to procure bids and create a construction contract including a budget and schedule for the project. Alternatively, if you already have a contractor selected, we can work with them earlier in the process to ensure we are unified about the values and constructability of the project, and we will be available to answer questions about the construction documents as they solicit bids from their subcontractors and create a construction contract. 

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION (CA): During the construction of your project, our primary role is to be your advocate and safeguard your values, goals, wants, and needs.  In this phase we provide periodic observation of construction to ensure that your home is being built in conformity to the construction documents so that you receive the home you have been dreaming of.  We also provide review of the contractor’s submittals, assistance in problem solving, providing clarification or answering questions, review of pay applications, issuance of change orders, and reporting to you and the building official violations of codes or substantial deviations from the contract documents that we observe. Depending on the scale and complexity of the project, we may schedule recurring meetings with the owner-architect-contractor team throughout construction. Our goal is for you to receive a home that you are delighted with and will serve you well for decades to come.  

The cost of architectural services varies based on local market, project size, project complexity, and the scope of architectural services being provided. There are several fee models used by architecture firms. Among the most common are Time-Based (hourly rate), Stipulated Sum (fixed price), Percentage of the Cost of Work, and Size-Based fees. There are many pros and cons for the architect and owner in each structure so we want you to be informed prior to signing an agreement. 

In general, a Time-Based or Hourly Rate fee structure is the most straight forward and offers owners the most clarity about how it is calculated. It is also one of the most equitable fee structures because the architect is compensated for the time it takes to do the work rather than some other vaguely-related metric. Since we pride ourselves on doing high-quality work, we appreciate this fee structure because it incentivizes the architect to be thorough and diligent - to invest the time it takes to really nail the details and craft an amazing home. This fee model also motivates the owner to be more thoughtful and intentional in their decisions because there is a cost associated with making changes in the future. Hourly rates for architectural fees typically range from $100-250/hr, but this number is largely determined by local markets and individual project parameters. Many owners are hesitant to use this fee model because the total fee amount is not defined at the start of the project, but typically this fee model has a lower total fee than some of the other options because the architect doesn’t need to compensate for unknown variables or circumstances in the fee calculation. 

Stipulated Sums or Fixed Prices are only viable as a fee structure when the project has very clear parameters and the architectural scope of services is well defined early in the process. “Spec houses” are the most typical application for this fee structure, but it is almost never used in the custom home realm of architecture. When it is used for custom homes, this fee model is typically paired with a specific list of parameters about the project, and limitations to the architect’s services such as the amount of design revisions and the specific drawings to be included in the document set. Changes to the project size, complexity, budget, and anything outside of the specifically defined list of limitations is usually considered a change order that increases the fee above and beyond the fixed amount. Owners generally like the idea of this fee model because they know the total cost up front, but that peace of mind can quickly become a frustration if change orders start to pile up.  In general, this fee model sets the owner up for unmet financial expectations and frustration or confusion about the parameters that define a change order. It also puts all of the financial risk on the architect which incentivizes them to work as quickly as possible to maximize their profitability. 

The Percentage of the Cost of Work fee model used to be the architectural standard because the amount of time a project takes is typically proportional to its cost (larger, more intricate and complex projects typically cost more to both design and construct), but that can be a big assumption to make for both the owner and architect. Locally, this assumption takes on even more risk because of the current volatility of material and labor costs in the Flathead Valley. This fee structure is also the most confusing in how it is calculated throughout the process. The fee percentage is always constant but the cost of the project is unknown for most of the architectural process. At the start of design, this fee is based on an estimated cost of work which may or may not be very accurate. The fee is then reassessed when the contractor gives finial pricing, and is reassessed again at the completion of the project, all of which can lead to surprises for both the owner and architect.  National averages for percentage fees range from 8-15% of cost of construction, with residential projects being on the higher end of that range. Average architectural fees in Montana are slightly lower, typically ranging from 6-12%. 

Lastly, some architects will base their fee on the square footage of the project. A Size-Based or Square Footage fee model is normally based on the amount of space that is under the roof as well as exterior decks and patios. This fee method is successful in accounting for the scale of the project but does not take into account the complexity of the project or the amount of times an owner may change the design. Similar to a stipulated sum, this fee model motivates an architect to be less thorough in order to maximize their profits, especially if the project is relatively complex. This fee model is especially risky for the architect because if the owner significantly reduces the square footage of the project during design, the architects fee will be reduced even though more work is required to make the changes.  

At Rowen Architecture, we most often calculate our fees using an hourly rate. Before the commencement of design, we will provide a proposal with our hourly-billing rate and an estimated total fee based on the amount of hours we think the project will require. This amount is an approximate figure that is intended to help you understand the general scope of the fee, but is not a guaranteed or fixed amount. Throughout the duration of the project, we invoice monthly so you can track the fee as it accumulates and, since we meet with you regularly, you can see the design progress parallel our invoicing. We’ll be transparent, we are not the cheapest avenue for designing a home, but you will receive the benefits of our professional standard of quality, our commitment to design excellence, and our genuine care for your well-being. 

We also understand that you may have different priorities or perspectives, so we are open to having a conversation about what fee model may be the most mutually beneficial. Regardless of what fee structure we agree on, our priorities are unity, trust, and a positive relationship with you, and we are craftsman at heart, so the beauty and quality of our work will always be more important than our profitability as we create a functional, stunning, timeless home for your family. 

At Rowen Architecture, we care about you. We genuinely want the best for your family and will do what we can to make that a reality. We also understand the value of a home; not just a shelter from the elements but a shelter from the chaos and challenges of the world; not just rooms but a composition of individual environments created for your family to flourish; not just a house but an integral part of a community. 

We are young enough to be cutting edge and willing to research innovative solutions, but we are experienced enough to guide you with wisdom, intentionality, and thoughtfulness through the challenges of building your own home. We are also a small company which has many advantages for our clients. You will get to know our team really well, and will have the same point of contact throughout your entire project, so you can rely on consistent communication. We don't rely on interns to fuel our production, so you can expect the same high level of quality on every project.  Lastly, we only have the capacity to complete a handful of projects every year, so we make them count by providing the highest level of design, detail, and quality. 

At Rowen Architecture, we believe that each person has inherent value, so our hope is to be genuine, honoring, and helpful in each of our interactions. We pride ourselves on listening well; not just hearing your words but wholistically understanding their context, intent, and meaning. Many times, this means asking a lot of questions and follow-up questions to really understand your heart and the values that are driving your decisions. We are transparent about our opinions and openly share our knowledge so that you can make informed decisions for your family. From beginning to end, we share our process with you so that you know what to expect at each stage and can feel confident in our progress. 

Within the broader project team (owner, architect, engineers, consultants, builders, and jurisdiction representatives), we see unity as an indicator of professionalism because it requires mutual trust, respect, and humility. We recognize that each team member comes to the table bearing unique strengths and experiences, and that if we can empower them to meaningfully contribute to the project, we can create a home that is truly exceptional. 

The amount of time that the architectural process takes can vary dramatically because every project is unique and has its own complexities. The design portion (Programming through Construction Documents) can be affected by things like your level of proactivity and responsiveness, the amount and gravity of changes you initiate, the amount of time it takes to make decisions, and the overall size or complexity of the project. These phases can be completed in as few as six months or can last up to a year and a half, but nine months is fairly typical for us. Most people don’t know that the architectural process extends into construction, but the architect plays the vital role of being the owner’s advocate on site during construction. The construction portion of the architectural process (Negotiation and Contract Administration) is still affected by the things noted above but are also dependent on the contractor’s schedule and availability, subcontractor schedule and availability, supply chain issues, materials lead times, site conditions, and weather. For custom homes, the construction phase is typically between nine months and two years.  

For some additional information, the average architect will spend between 480 and 600 hours on a 3,000sf custom home. The design portion is generally 85% of that time, so for a single architect working on a single project, the design portion will take at least 14 weeks. Most architects are working on several projects at a time which will extend the schedule. As an example, if the architect is working on 3 projects concurrently, that 14-week minimum will actually take closer to 42 weeks to complete. Bigger projects or a heavier project load for the architect will lengthen that timeline, while larger companies with more employees can minimize it.  If an architect says they can do your project in significantly less time, it may be a red flag that they are less thorough than other architects or that they are reusing a previous design for your project. Your architect should be transparent with you about their company size, project load, and schedule, and this information should help you better understand what your design schedule should be and set your expectations accordingly. 

There are very a few things that we definitively need you to provide, but they are crucial for the success of the project. We'll need documentation about the property (site survey with topography and trees, legal description, HOA documents and any other restrictive covenants), intended budget, intended schedule, intended scope of the project (rooms and spaces to be included), and timely, honest communication about the project. Other important things that you provide include answers to our questionnaires (available in our downloads tab), images of projects and spaces that you like, contact information for any specialty consultants you prefer, and your preferences on materials, fixtures, and systems. The more we know about how you live, what you value, and what you like and dislike, the more intentionally we can craft a home that is unique and appropriate to you.  

The original meaning of the word architect was “master builder” or “master craftsman”.  Architects were the best of the best, combining practical understanding of construction with the art of creating beauty that can be experienced. At Rowen, we strive to remain true to that title and embody that definition in every facet of our work. 

Within both categories, architects and drafters/designers, there is a range of skill levels and capabilities, but we’ll try to highlight some of the main differences.  

From a training standpoint, an architect goes through six to eight years of formal education at an accredited university, four years of internship/residency under a licensed architect, six licensing exams, and twelve hours of continuing education every year. There is no qualification process for becoming a drafter or designer. 

When it comes to design abilities, you can find incredibly talented and mediocre designers among both architects and drafter/designers. At Rowen, we pride ourselves on being artists whose medium of choice is the built environment. We are composers - shaping space, material, and light to elicit an emotion in each room that compliments the experience of the whole project. We are designers at heart that have a thorough understanding of construction and building science to turn your vision into reality. 

A registered architect is a licensed design professional who is legally and ethically responsible for all work they perform. That is why, in many jurisdictions, only licensed architects can provide the stamped documents that are required to get a building permit from the local jurisdiction. An architect takes your vision and creatively conforms it to the myriad of zoning and building code requirements to protect the health, safety, and welfare of you and your family. 

All that to say, there are significant differences between an architect and a drafter/designer. Each has its place in the sphere of construction, but they are not interchangeable. We are not a drafting service and we do not take the craft of your home lightly. We are architects who thrive on intentional, beautiful design and are qualified to guide you through the complexities of building your own home. 

Architects are not contractors so we do not physically build your home, but we do play a role in construction. As the author of the design, we know the details of your home inside and out. During construction, this allows us to act as your advocate to help ensure that you receive the exact home that is conveyed in your contract documents. We attend site meetings with the contractor and review construction progress to ensure that the project is getting built according to the construction documents and appropriate standards. If we find things that are built incorrectly, we work with the contractor to find a solution to fix the problem. If the contractor is not remedying an issue, then we notify you and the building authority of the non-conforming work. The severity of these issues varies, but some have lasting repercussions if left unattended. Also, there is no perfect set of documents and it’s impossible to predict all project conditions, so the architect will help solve issues that arise during construction and provide resolutions that maintain the owner’s goals and vision. 

Our role during construction also includes reviews of contractor’s recommended alterations or substitutions - often a material that is more economical or saves installation time. Sometimes these products and processes are fantastic solutions, but other times, they are substandard and either won’t perform over time or don’t achieve the same result. We can review these suggestions and confirm if they are acceptable. Architects will also review the pay applications (invoices) that the builder sends you, ensuring that you do not pay for anything that hasn’t been provided or is not in your contract. If you initiate a change or want to adjust something during the construction process, we will review the change order to ensure that the scope, cost, and method of construction for the proposed changes are acceptable. We are your representative on site and are committed to upholding your values throughout the construction of your home. 

The cost of building in the Flathead valley is quite volatile right now due to a shortage of materials and skilled labor. Currently, most custom homes are starting at around $325 per square foot. For complex homes or premium finishes, that cost can quickly exceed $400-$500 per square foot. This might be intimidating, but when you consider the current real estate market in the Flathead Valley, building your custom dream home may still be the best option for your family. 

There are many variables that determine how long the construction of your home will take, especially in the current market. If you are planning to build a 3,000-4,000sf custom home, a nine-month construction schedule will be pretty typical, but long-lead-time items and a shortage of labor and materials in the valley are extending the schedule. If you are thinking of building something larger, in the 8,000-15,000sf range for instance, a two-year construction schedule will be closer to reality. Below is a theoretical construction timeline for a 3,000sf home. 

Example Construction Timeline: 

Permits and loan approval …...................................................................................................... 3 months  

Site prep (clear, grade, level and stake) ….......................................................................... 1 month 

Foundation (footings, foundation, basement, slab) ….............................................. 1 ½ months 

Rough carpentry (frame walls, floors, roof; install sheathing, house wrap) 2 months 

Roofing, exterior siding/masonry/trim, windows, doors …..................................... 1 ½ months 

HVAC installation …........................................................................................................................... 1 month 

Plumbing installation …................................................................................................................. 1 month 

Electrical, A/V, I.T., security installation …...........................…............................................. 1 month 

Insulation and drywall …............................................................................................................... 1 ½ months 

Prime, caulk, paint …........................................................................................................................ 3 months 

Flooring, cabinets, trim, hardware …..................................................................................... 4 months 

Cleaning, punch list, closing ….................................................................................................. 1 month 

Note: The times shown total 21 months. However, some of these activities take place concurrently and depend on product supply and labor availability.