Imagine: You just began a building project—a new corporate headquarters that will attract talent and elevate your brand. The groundbreaking ceremony is a success. Crowds cheer. Cameras flash. Golden shovels hit the soil.

For most building owners, change orders represent cost overruns and slowed schedules, making them a source of fear and anxiety. If you are starting a building project, you might be wondering how to avoid them.

For some building owners, sustainable design may seem out of reach. While effective, green building rating systems like LEED and Living Building Challenge can add to a project’s cost.

The architectural process starts by exploring ideas and setting goals. There are thousands of decisions on a building project, and your goals should influence each.

Whether you are renovating your existing home or building a new one, you are probably wondering “should I hire an architect?”

Bond referendums are a common way to fund public building projects. For organizations like K-12 schools, bonds can help cover the cost of a new building or the cost of updating existing facilities. Passing a bond referendum, however, is far from easy.

Estimating architecture fees is not easy, and if you are starting your first building project, you might be struggling to get a straightforward quote. Even a simple Google search for “architecture fees” brings up inconsistent results. For many, the lack of clarity can be confusing and frustrating.

According to the American Institute of Architects, the built environment accounts for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the importance of architecture in the fight against climate change.

Architects can be secretive about their prices, which can be frustrating for anyone starting their first building project. Some services are charged hourly, others at a fixed sum, and others at a percentage of the construction cost. Although fees depend on the time it takes to complete the work involved, the pricing structure can get confusing.

If you plan to rehabilitate a historic structure, the Federal Historic Preservation Incentive Program is an effective financing option. The program offers a tax credit equal to 20% of your rehabilitation costs. By leveraging this opportunity, you can minimize financial risk and increase your budget’s potential.