Hiring an architect is a sound investment that can help you achieve a quality, high-performance home. It is also a chance to share your ideas, discover innovative solutions, and watch your dream home become a reality.

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. 

A kickoff meeting is when you meet your project team, establish communication flows, and discuss your goals. It creates the foundation for the architectural process and helps form a successful working relationship. At Neumann Monson, we host a kickoff meeting for every project, and we find the most effective kickoff meetings occur when clients know what to expect and who to include.

Budgets are the driving force behind every building project. If you’re beginning your first project, you may find it daunting to account for every necessary expense. Beyond construction costs, you may need to budget for legal fees, professional fees, site acquisition fees, and more.

Historic rehabilitation projects can be costly and unpredictable. Fortunately, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program helps reduce the financial risk. The program is designed to encourage the redevelopment of historic structures and augment tax revenue for state and local governments.

The Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honored Neumann Monson Architect’s Lyndley Kent with the 2021 AIA Iowa Young Architect Award during an awards ceremony of the annual AIA Iowa convention.