Why contracts are essential when engaging in services

A lot of people get uneasy when they see or hear about contracts, they immediately frown upon it due to the fear of the formality and daunting legal impression of it. The usual response of clients who don't want contracts between them and a professional is that they are very confident that nothing wrong will happen or that it brings tension to the discussions and the relationship. This mindset is so outdated and primitive that there are still so many, including well-educated people, who opt not to have written contracts when hiring designers and builders, this is also a reason that many people fear hiring an architect, they fear that they would be trapped in it and that architects want them to be trapped in signing one. In my experience, people who don't want to work with contracts are not serious clients or are not yet ready to engage in our professional service. In any case, as professionals, we would rather pass on a project that has no real security and good faith in a client.

People who are most likely to fail at negotiations and secure themselves from getting into bad investments are the ones who only deal with verbal agreements and are easy to trust with other people. This mindset is the most vulnerable type of people to con artists or scammers. Contracts or written agreements between two or more parties are very daunting indeed for first-timers but if you've learned anything from life, you never know what could happen when bad things happen and you won't have proof to claim anything from any deal. Dealing with design and construction services is not as simple as buying a fish in the market that you can purchase without contracts or receipts. Service providers promise things and you also promise to pay once the terms are fulfilled, hence, contracts are necessary to protect both you and the service provider in case the agreed terms are not being met a win-win arrangement.

Clients who want a service provider to work without any form of contract are usually the same people who engage in the mediocre services of unlicensed practitioners to save on cost. These unlicensed practitioners or illegal practitioners will not charge for professional liabilities and will not take on the risk because, in the eyes of the law, they don't exist as legitimate service providers. Without any form of contract that spells out specific terms for payment, manner of delivery and other important conditions, any project without it will operate in the dark with no clear understanding of expectations, responsibilities, and obligations and will inevitably result to confusions and the erosion of relationships when problems start to surface in the project. If you don't want to operate under this type of informal and insecure service arrangement and fail miserably in your project, you must recognize the practicality of having a well thought and written contract document that will not only symbolize both party's good faith in the project but will help guide a well-defined project and keep a healthy relationship with your service provider.

Now that you have realized the value of engaging architects or service providers with contracts, what do contracts contain, and how can contracts actually do you a favor?

The Architect's Basic Design Service

Often, individuals mistakenly believe the envisioned design or blueprint is a tangible, completed object that can be procured or acquired from a shelf, thereby enabling them to ascertain its alignment with their desires through tactile engagement. The undervaluation of architectural services can be attributed to a lack of awareness, misinformation, or misguided beliefs. It is important to acknowledge that architects should not be held solely responsible for this perception.

Architectural professionals typically request down payments or acceptance fees prior to commencing any formal work or sketching. However, clients often express concerns regarding the financial implications, as they may feel uncertain about the specific scope and outcome of the architect's services. These concerns are often voiced through comments such as, "What if the delivered design does not align with my preferences?" The prevalent misperception regarding design services lies in the tendency of clients to perceive them solely as finished products, rather than recognising the inherent nature of these services as a process-oriented endeavour. The focal points of discussion revolve around the notions of "service" and "process". In this context, service can be delineated as the diligent execution of tasks by a skilled professional, yielding tangible outcomes in the form of meticulously crafted drawings and estimates, whether in physical or digital format. On the other hand, the process entails a sequence of logical procedures, inherently intertwined with the element of time, necessitating a methodical approach for its successful execution.

The fundamental essence of an architect's design service centres around a meticulously structured process, wherein the architect meticulously assimilates the client's land descriptions, aspirations, preferences, yearnings, financial limitations, and other pertinent factors. These elements are meticulously scrutinized and evaluated by the architect, serving as the catalyst for initiating the imaginative journey of architectural conception. The probability of the client expressing dissatisfaction with the final outcome is minimal, as the client's active involvement will be ensured throughout the entirety of the project. At each stage, the client will have the opportunity to provide their approval or disapproval of proposed solutions, thereby addressing all desired factors and considerations. Ultimately, the objective of the design process is to engage in a cyclical exchange of feedback, ensuring that the design aligns with the client's desires. The architect, leveraging their expertise in building technology and regulations, employs various tools of illustration and communication to present a practical and cost-effective design outcome that can be deemed exemplary in its quality.

7 reasons why Architects are seen as expensive and an unnecessary cost in building projects

When embarking upon the endeavour of designing and constructing residential homes or commercial buildings, it is not uncommon to encounter individuals who suggest that engaging the services of an architect is an extraneous expenditure. These individuals may propose the alternative of employing a draughtsman, foreman, or civil engineer, or even assert their own capability (regardless of experience) to undertake the task without remuneration. They may entice you with the prospect of a "straight contract" arrangement, wherein they assume control over your financial resources and proffer a complimentary design. However, it is imperative to exercise caution, as such arrangements grant them unrestricted discretion over the allocated funds and the subsequent construction, affording them the latitude to act as they see fit.

A discerning and accountable buyer typically identifies warning signs in such a seemingly enticing arrangement, unless one places absolute trust in the individual making the offer with their entire life savings for most would-be home builders and bootstrapping business owners. The strategy employed is to provide complimentary services, such as design and other endeavours, in the initial stages, while presenting oneself as approachable and supportive, in order to cultivate a sense of confidence. This approach bears a resemblance to the deceptive scheme. Conversely, professionals levy appropriate remuneration for their services and the time invested, as legitimate enterprises entail expenses, straightforwardly speaking.