Why do architect designed houses cost more?
“Off the shelf” building designs, used by kit home and project home builders are reproduced many times over. Because these building companies produce a huge volume of houses each year, and are able to exert a degree of control over the market, they can build very cheaply. One-off buildings built by an individual builder cost considerably more, with or without an architect involved. Concepts prepared by an architect typically are one-off designs developed to meet a specific client’s brief through in-depth consultation, taking into account landscape and environmental impacts as well as regulatory requirements. This personal and consultative approach translates into a finished project that more deeply reflects each client’s unique wants and needs. The real estate market puts an increased value on architect designed houses in recognition of the higher level of quality, aesthetic appeal and prestige they offer.
