COSTS OF STARTING AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM

[@pacificcoltrane7652]

In Canada, a lot of firms seem to run Vectorworks. It's less expensive than Revit - and far more versatile, so it works great for all phases of architectural work.

[@DavidTomic]

Very rare to use vector works here in Australia

[@markashton2679]

In Australia, most drafting to design firms will not use Revit if they're on a skeleton crew and are doing work on low margins. They will use Revit LT, and this is all you need really as a design practice that has set commercial/service agreements in lieu retail design work. Once you have your Revit template set and all the associated ancillaries like families, view filters etc then Revit and it's yearly running cost is unnecessary. Revit LT is somewhere between $600-$700 AUD p.year and if you're subscribed to Autodesk, they often run quarterly sales up to 25% off. So for someone starting out, they can look as little as $450 AUD to get into Revit. I have observed firms that have 7 people, with the main design having Revit and the remainder using LT.

[@DavidTomic]

Good insights mark!

[@anthonybutto1925]

I enjoy you sharing your insight Mark. With sketchup I always thought you only do sketch's instead. If sketch's can be done with, for example: REVIT or ARCHICAD, I don't think you need to spend extra money for a SKETCHUP software if I'm right. Also if I'm right SKETCHUP may cost expensive.

[@anthonybutto1925]

What if you wanna work for yourself and not have staff members, Is Revit Template suitable. Thank you for sharing, I appreciate your insight.

[@GwazakAryob]

This video deserves more views! Keep going!

[@DavidTomic]

Thanks for the support! I'm not stopping anytime soon! 10K subs in 2020. 100k in 2021? Big ask but lets see what we can accomplish together!

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Great video but those costs seem scary high! I set up in 2009 in the UK using AutoCAD and Sketchup on a laptop from my kitchen table. I still work from home as a sole practitioner and my annual running costs are about £5k for PII, software, accounting fees, membership dues etc. I might make a video of my own in this topic. Great channel, keep it up.

[@DavidTomic]

A lot of the software listed is not essential and archicad license at $10k+ blows it. Would be good to see a UK perspective for sure!

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

@@DavidTomic I worked in Sydney back in 2001/2 and loved it. I used Archicad there and a few years back got a Solo licence, which cos about £450 per year with the dongle. It’s a powerful programme but for altering domestic properties it’s overkill, so I stuck with AutoCAD

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

I just posted a video of my own on the costs of setting up as a sole practitioner in the uk, check it out when you have time.

[@simbax67]

​@RealLifeArchitecture Hello, is it possible for you to post a link to the video ? Im in the UK and im interested to see. Thanks

[@damirces]

Regards Revit you can start your business with Revit LT at the beginning which is less then 1000e. Of course without central file and concept massing as options..

[@scotvega18]

I know I’m late to this video but I thought it was very helpful. In the abstract, thinking about these all the things that go into starting an architecture firm is so scary, but seeing it with real costs make it feel possible (even though it’s still very scary). Cheers and thank you.

[@DavidTomic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@savannahlsteele]

Thank you David!

[@DavidTomic]

Most welcome

[@hacker010010101]

this is some valuable info!

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help mate!

[@JordanMattKim]

Can you talk about the process in which an unlicensed architect start a firm, does all the design but hiring licensed architect to stamp? How does that business model work?

[@DavidTomic]

Depends on where you live. Architects don't need to stamp plans in every country. In Australia you can start a business without being registered, it is just a significantly more successful business when you are as what I've found out, nobody trusts a fresh graduate regardless of how good they are but they trust a registered architect

[@JordanMattKim]

@@DavidTomic valid point, I live in USA btw. Many firm founders here don’t have licenses, but they hire associates that can stamp drawings in house.

[@datongleeyamoua9732]

Great Information!! Thx...

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help!

[@phaphamanibantwini9685]

I enjoy your videos. This one is most special for me, am considering starting my own company... Am studying Construction Management (BSc) and Quantity Surveying (Honours). Am considering starting a firm next year... If I do I'll come back and update you. Dope and informative video.

[@DavidTomic]

Thank you for the kind works. If I can offer a small piece of advice, get some experience first before starting your own practice. There are many legal issues people aren't aware of. However if you do start, please feel free to update me, I enjoy hearing stories like yours!

[@alistairsutherland3498]

Check out “Rihac printing”, great Aus company to minimise printing costs.

[@twildrick]

Great video mate! I am looking into starting my own company at the moment & this was super helpful. What do you use in terms of 3D render programs? Is just Archicad & photoshop enough in your opinion? Cheers

[@DavidTomic]

We use archicad and twinmotion + sometimes vray for the high end projects. Anything is enough its just depends what you charge for your services which justifies the end product

[@designdiary4746]

To me all this can be sacrificed or risked but my question would be how to get client to enable you make profit ? Thanks

[@iamwaterproof]

This is how you set up a practice but an architect can start producing work, marketing and making money for a fraction of this. Buy a pc for 1000 and a printer for 500. Spend a few months developing case study work for content including as many 3d's as you can. Out source them if you cant produce them probably get them done for 400 each. Get a simple website built. Then set up online- all social media and linked in. Put 500 into ads. If your content is good enough you will get work if its not you wont. Grow the business as jobs come in. 10k is more than enough for any to put their toe in the water.

[@DavidTomic]

There is definitely truth in this

[@kalemphillips8117]

That is not a very lean budget. Should cost per year, $2,500.00 or less. And the starting year $8,150.00 Start small, and go from there. And let's be real all you need is a pen and paper. Year over year expenses, AutoCad LT or Revit LT, SketchUp, Enscape, Adobe & printing. ($500.00 + $500.00 + $500.00 + $500.00 + $500.00)= $2500.00 Initial Expenses; Plotter, Plotting paper, Computer. ($2000.00 + $150.00 + $3500.00) = $5650.00 Your starting a new company blowing 30k a year is not going to allow your company to last very long. You don't need Revit/ Archicad off the bat. Cut your teeth with Autocad LT / SketchUp untill the company can reach profitability to afford the upgrade.

[@lifeofablackninja1579]

What if you get your employees to work from home?

[@DavidTomic]

If they're are an employee the costs should still be paid by you, some items can be omitted obviously. If they are a work from home contractor that is different and you can save lots. Check with your accountant and lawyers first based on your country. Issue with WFH is training, ensuring productivity and managing performance.

[@JoaoMBA5]

really, archicad is that expensive in Australia?? here it's around 1k euros cheaper than revit. Also, great video!

[@DavidTomic]

Damn! We’ve drawn the short straw then!! It’s about $11.5k aud now 😂

[@JoaoMBA5]

​@@DavidTomic Ouch!! That's a lot! Here I'm paying 175 euros per month (2100 euros per year) for Archicad with all bim cloud serves included, while (last time I checked) Revit was 3 thousand something per year plus 1 thousand something for the cloud services which brought it to almost 5000 euros total

[@arcdipesh]

i prefer affinity suite over adobe suite.

[@DavidTomic]

seems to be a common comment. might have to look into it.

[@allnothing7756]

Hvala za savete. Mislim da me razumes.Btw imamo isto prezime.

[@DavidTomic]

Hey! Kako si Tomic!

[@allnothing7756]

@@DavidTomic Haha l'm great, thanks for asking. I guess u don't understand Srbian/Croatian, but loved the video. Wish u all the best.

[@lanyzone2455]

Can I practice Architecture without being registered? Or registration is a MUST? I’m a fourth year architecture student with one year left to obtain my Master in Architecture, and I am curious and eager to start a business in architecture in the near future. Your suggestion will be highly appreciated 🙏🏾

[@DavidTomic]

The practice of architecture is not protected in australia, the use of the word Architect and reference to Architectural Work is protected on the other hand. Every country has different regulations so I advise you to check with your local board. My honest advise as someone who was looking at doing the same thing straight out of uni and has run multiple companies prior, is...DON'T! You have so much to learn and you are at so much risk by running your own practice. Go into a office first, register as an architect, get a MINIMUM 5 years experience under your belt and then go out on your own if you still wish. You will quickly learn in practice how risky architecture is and how much they don't teach you at university that will get use sued before you know it.

[@lanyzone2455]

Thanks, I’ll take your advise into consideration. Yes definitely I’ll explore more options with local authorities in NSW prior to my graduation. Thanks once again 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@harryhirsch8527]

...when you start out you dont need always the best software when you need it once a month anyway..and you dont run illustrator and acrobat reader pro all the time...not as an architect...

[@DavidTomic]

This is true, but its almost cheaper to get the whole suite vs photoshop,lightroom and premiere pro. These i consider business essentials for marketing not just for design.

[@marcososa1986]

@@DavidTomic you can start with Affinity software, it’s a very good cheaper option than Adobe. it has the essentials: Designer (like illustrator), Photo, and Publisher (like inDesign)

[@orphicprince]

Hello David I've got a question for you! I'll hopefully fly abroad (Birmingham,UK) to complete my BA Hons on architecture after I'm done with my A levels. So will I be able to become an intern right after graduating from there? Also I'm a traditional realism artist. Will that help? Moreover, can be the only CEO if I start my architectural firm? I'm not knowledgeable enough regarding this so pardon

[@DavidTomic]

my opinion. study hard, graduate. get a job as an intern, use whatever skills you have to leverage a better job. work your way up until you're either in a good position or ready to start you own firm. dont do it straight away, you won't know enough out of university.

[@orphicprince]

@@DavidTomic thank you so much for enlightening me!

[@orphicprince]

@@DavidTomic by the way, is BA alone capable of making me an intern?

[@mbaart1969]

why would anyone pay for the softwares ? just crack them for free !!!

[@DavidTomic]

Because its illegal and the fines are not worth it when you run an actual business

[@tydencruze8200]

@salman yusuf yikes, you ain't livin right...

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

people are to stingy on fee's drafting is ruined by volume builders and overseas drafting

[@panag5366]

Great video once again... Can you please make a video on what is the max scale of projects building designers (bachelors degree) can do with vs architects?

[@RooseR6]

This what im gonna do when I'm old enough

[@DavidTomic]

I wish you all the best!

[@choti001]

Have you successfully opened a firm and ran it?

[@DavidTomic]

Define successfully. Rather Subjective but I would argue yes.

[@mohsenashouri7533]

thank you, I'm completely disappointed :)

[@DavidTomic]

Because its so expensive or?

[@mohsenashouri7533]

@@DavidTomic well, expensive, complicated and risky I guess! almost like any other business really :) but for starters I'd rather work at a firm or something, don't you think like so?

[@DavidTomic]

Always best to start with a firm and learn the basics. A lot you don't get taught at university

[@mohsenashouri7533]

@@DavidTomic totally! thanks anyway.

[@Sam-hd9cj]

archicad is gross

[@DavidTomic]

And why do you think that?