The demand for architects is expected to grow at 8 percent by 2028, and as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth in this industry is faster than the average growth across similar industries. However, as with any other profession, careful consideration of many aspects and extensive preparation is essential when you are looking to start an architectural firm.
One of the key goals is to build a strong reputation and protect your firm from a host of liability risks. While you intend always to do your best work, unforeseen site conditions, weather fluctuations, errors in estimating budget, or miscommunication of client expectations can lead to lawsuits with unexpected costs related to defense and judgments. The solution lies in architect professional liability insurance, which covers the financial risks of architects that relate to defending against malpractice or breach of contract lawsuits. Check here to find out more about professional liability insurance for architects.
Five factors to consider when setting up your architectural firm
Here are the other factors you need to consider when setting up your architectural firm:
Be Certain: The first step is to be utterly certain about launching your architectural firm.
While there are many benefits of owning a business, building a business from scratch can be challenging and calls for commitment, hard work, and persistence.
Business structure: While a sole proprietorship is the simplest form of structure with no formal incorporation process, a partnership is when the firm is owned and operated by one or more partners. A Limited Liability Corporation or LLC distributes liabilities to all members of the corporation. Deciding which business structure is suitable for your venture is one of the most crucial steps in establishing your architectural firm.
Plan the details: Writing a clear business plan is crucial for your architect firm’s success. The plan should include details of the business structure, target audience, financial aspects including capital cost, running costs, cash flow, costs related to marketing, and advertising.
Build a website: Investing in a professional website is essential to establish your online presence. By crafting a smart digital marketing strategy on social media and optimizing your website content, you can ensure awareness and engagement of your target audience.
Network: Terrestrial networking with local professionals and business groups enables you to build strong relationships that can lead to referrals and recommendations. Digital networking helps build large networks in a quick time.
From drawing up a business plan to obtaining professional liability insurance, there are multiple steps in setting up your own architectural firm. While it is the right time to start an architectural firm in the U.S., given the growing demand, paying attention to all of these steps can set you up for success.
Sources
https://thetech.com/2010/03/19/statasuit-v130-n14
https://www.archdaily.com/870706/see-you-in-court-9-of-architectures-nastiest-lawsuits
https://entrearchitect.com/2017/10/10/business-type-best-architecture-firm/