How to Start an Architecture Firm

Architecture firms may work for local, state, or national governments or for private companies that want to build buildings. They are engineering as well as design-driven and must solve many complex problems related to building structure as well as aesthetics. This business is needed today as competition in the country drives the need for expansion of infrastructure, business and, ultimately, new buildings and structures.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Start an architecture firm by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Architecture Firm
  2. Form your Architecture Firm into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Architecture Firm for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Architecture Firm
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Architecture Firm
  7. Get an Architecture Firm Insurance
  8. Define your Architecture Firm’s Brand
  9. Create your Architecture Firm Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your architecture firm. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly, and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Architecture Firm Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening an architecture firm?

Costs to start an architecture firm vary. You can start from home for about $5,000. Renting a professional office will cost between $300 and $1,500 per month. A computer will set you back about $2,000. Design software costs up to $1,200. Something like Draftsight is free, while AutoCAD LT will have an upfront cost.

A printer will cost between $100 and $500. Plotter will cost up to $2,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for an architecture firm?

Ongoing expenses for running a firm are minimal and essentially include just utilities and replacement computers as needed.

Who is the target market?

Ideal customers are large clients with deep pockets. Some of the best clients for an architecture firm will be local and state governments. Alternatively, a large company that needs extensive planning and design work done will be an excellent client.

The worst or non-ideal clients are those that have relatively small or multiple overlapping projects where the architecture firm will not be able to complete the entire project due to scheduling conflicts. These types of projects are usually designed to be taken on by multiple firms so that no one firm has control over a single project. However, they also make it difficult to profit from the work.

How does an architecture firm make money?

Architects make money by charging a fee for designing buildings, permanent and temporary structures, and for design consultations on construction projects. Some architecture companies also assist civil engineers on city planning.

How much can you charge customers?

Architecture firms charge clients one of several ways and, depending on the number and skill level of the architects you have working for you, the fees can vary considerably.

The principal of the organization can make $135-$175 per hour. Project managers earn up to $100 per hour. An Intern Architect II with up to 8 years experience can earn up to $80 per hour. Intern Architect I with between 3 and 5 years of experience can earn $65 per hour.

Overall, fees range from $60 to over $100 per hour for a typical residential project. If the firm charges a fee as a percentage of the total project cost, this will range from between 15% to 20%. If the firm wants to charge per square foot of the project, then anywhere between $0.75 and $4 per square foot is reasonable. The exact per-square-foot charge depends on location and local market rates.

How much profit can an architecture firm make?

Profit targets vary by company and location, but generally, a firm should be able to achieve a 15% to 20% or more profit margin.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Making the firm more profitable usually involves partnering with larger firms, working more closely with contractors, and increasing the firm’s advertising budget.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your architecture firm is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your architecture firm were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

The US General Services Administration maintains policies and criteria regulating architecture and engineering design practice and building technology, building systems, products, and materials.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Legal requirements vary by state, but architecture firms are typically required to employ a certain number of licensed architects, at least one of which has been licensed within the state. Obtaining an architect license typically involves some degree of education, work experience, and an examination. Some states require the obtainment of an additional architecture firm license.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply. For more information about local licenses and permits:

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Architecture Firm needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Architecture Firm.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an architecture firm

Marketing your architecture firm requires patience. One of the best ways to take on bigger projects in the first year is to work with larger, more established firms. Many architecture firms try to drum up business with large corporate clients directly. However, without the experience in the industry, larger clients are unlikely to trust you with their project. Smaller clients are fine, but they won’t bring in a lot of revenue.

How to keep customers coming back

Choose a niche and get good at that type of design. For example, you might be interested in designing apartment buildings or skyscrapers. Choose one and specialize. If you bill your company as a general or “all purpose” architect, you’ll command lower fees and won’t make as much money.

High-paying clients look for specialists.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is perfect for individuals who love to work with their mind and have good attention to detail. Long hours are part of the job and companies that put in proposals for major projects don’t always hear back right away so business owners need to be good at managing cash flow.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at an architecture firm?

Day-to-day activities of the company include designing for new projects and meeting with construction crews on current projects. Some architectural firms are very involved with the construction side of a project while others focus primarily on design.

Answering emails is also a big part of the job. Clients today often relay messages and send project details as email attachments. Another aspect of the job is meeting minutes and managing project scope. Because some clients may attempt to exceed the scope of their project, the architectural firm needs to maintain scope integrity and become de facto project managers.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful architecture firm?

Architecture firms need skilled architects and a strong marketing department to make money. In short, they need design talent, engineering ability, social awareness for new LEED projects, legal knowledge and awareness for designing under current building codes, and business aptitude.

While you do not need a degree, it helps.

Educational programs vary, but in general cover several aspects of engineering with varying levels of expertise attained with each degree or certification.

Get a professional degree from an accredited institution, like the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). These degrees include Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) and Master of Architecture (MArch) degrees.

The BArch is given to students who have studied for at least 5 years in an accredited architecture school. High school graduates who haven’t earned an undergraduate can apply, however. You will need “core” classes to get this degree, like math, social science, science, and humanities.

The MArch for Students With a Non-Architecture Bachelor’s Degree is given to students who have undergraduate degrees in other disciplines but want to switch to architecture. It takes 3 to 4 years to earn their professional MArch this way.

The MArch for Students With a Pre-Professional Bachelor’s Degree allows students to earn pre-professional degree in architecture like a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Architecture or in Architectural History. From there, you may apply to a MArch program to get your degree in architecture.

What is the growth potential for an architecture firm?

You can start an architecture firm with just one employee: yourself. However, some firms hire as many architects as they can afford so that their company can take on additional and larger projects. A larger firm may also partner with smaller firms to take on large projects and to remain flexible.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting an architecture firm?

Hire interns. They are great for reducing the amount of busywork in the office. As long as you’re not using interns as unpaid employees and following IRS guidelines, you’ll avoid violating minimum wage laws. Work for another firm before starting your own or hire a mentor. Work with a contractor and build a house. Every architecture firm dreams of landing a big corporate client. However, when you’re first getting started, it helps to understand the basics of construction and the best way to do that is to work on jobsites with developers building residential homes.

How and when to build a team

Building a team isn’t necessary if you want to remain small. However, if you want to grow your firm, you should hire as many architects as you can afford as soon as you can afford them. Since design and marketing drive your business, focus on these two departments first.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading