Freelance Architects
Freelance Architects
A freelance architect is an architect who works independently. They are not working for any firm but for themselves. Freelancing gives the architect a completely different setting of work. Post - lockdown there has been an increase in the number of freelancers. People now prefer working from home in their comfort, it is even convenient and productive for some. Working with freelance architects can prove beneficial as they work with clients one–on–one, allowing more time and attention to a client. There’s no chain of command so a client is directly communicating with the architect. They are not under any pressure from their firms or boss and therefore can cater to all the needs of the client.
What is the role of a freelance architect?
A freelance architect is also a registered/ certified architect and can
do everything that architects are trained to do. Freelance architects are
working on their own and are independent of any firm. They may take jobs of
their choice. They don’t work under anyone and are free to make their own
decisions except they have to abide by the demands of their clients. Freelance
architects can undertake any jobs like planning sites, producing building
plans, designing a space, curating landscape elements, acting as a consultant,
assessing of site, and assembling of construction team for the project.
Freelance architects work with a client to assist them in their projects. Sometimes, clients don’t have any particular design in their mind so it’s the architect’s job to propose several designs and execute the one approved by the client. Another duty of a freelance architect is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the proposed site on behalf of the client. If needed the freelance architect might even have to offer advice regarding the selection of the site. Apart from producing plans and designing the building, the freelance architect also has other jobs like sourcing the materials, putting together a construction team, engineers, managers, builders, etc. It might be the architect’s responsibility to supervise the construction till its development.
Image 2_Freelance architects_©Knowhouse
Time management
Freelancing can be empowering due to its flexibility and freedom but it
also has it’s shortcomings. Freelance architects are alone in charge of
everything. They manage job searching, bookkeeping, site assessment, producing
plans, managing teams, supervising construction, keeping track of materials,
bills, etc. The list never stops and therefore freelance architects find
themselves working for longer hours than they would if they were employed
architects. It is hard to manage time provide exceptional service to clients
and also maintain a work–life balance. Following are the ways a freelance
architect can stay organized and manage time:
- Create a routine – A
schedule allows you to manage your tasks better, making space for
creativity and productivity. The routine should cover your entire day,
listing everything on your to–do prioritized systematically. Making and
following a routine will keep one energized and focused.
- Avoid Procrastinating –
Procrastinating due to a lack of motivation or energy will cause issues in
the long run. Procrastinating can cause you to derail from your track and
lose the ambition to achieve your objective. Setting deadlines is one way
to avoid procrastinating, a freelance architect can create several drafts
and present them to clients before the final draft. Setting concrete
deadlines will ward off laziness and sluggishness.
- Commit mindfully –
Commit only to jobs one can handle. Since you’re a freelance architect,
you cannot say yes to every job in your forte. You should keep an
understanding of the amount of work you can handle at a time without
burning out yourselves. You should provide quality results to all your
clients and overworking with exhaustion will not help you deliver your
best.
- Organizing - While
managing your time, you should also be good at organizing your files. The
files should be properly kept and labeled accordingly. You should have
different compartments for contracts, drawings, legal documents, receipts,
tax forms, invoices, release forms, etc. Also, make sure to have a digital
copy of every hard copy, it never hurts to have backup.
- Calendar – Use your
calendar to plan daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. This will help you
remember the work you have to do and any appointments that you don’t want
to miss. Calendar can keep track of yearly plans and are always convenient
as they are one tap away.
- Finances – Keep a
record of your income, expenses, and even taxes. This will help you manage
your finances in a better manner. Make use of filing systems and tools
like spreadsheets to keep records of your finances in a very organized
way. Proper management of money is a very big advantage for freelancers.
- Check in – It is
important to check – in at the end of the day to evaluate what all did u
accomplished. If you were able to fulfil your targets and reflect on your
goals and gives you an idea of how to plan your next day. It gives you
time and space to identify any distractions or hindrances that you can
avoid in the future. You learn about your strengths and weaknesses and
learn to plan better for yourself.
An organized freelance architect will no doubt experience more success
and calm in their work than one who just goes with the flow. Keeping one
organized and managed is also a way to keep away stress, overworking,
exhaustion, and last minutes tasks. This step will also make you a good
professional and help you get more clients.
Image 3_Time
management_©OTC
References:
· Fiver Blog (2022) What can a freelance architect do
for your business? [online] Available at
– https://blog.fiverr.com/post/what-can-a-freelance-architect-do-for-your-business#:~:text=A%20freelance%20architect%20has%20all,is%20that%20they%20work%20independently.
· Fidanci E. (2022) Working as a Freelance Architect,
Illustarch [online] Available at - https://illustrarch.com/articles/13233-working-as-a-freelance-architect.html
· Cepjolkina A. (2022) How to stay organised as a
freelance engineer, workalike [online] Available at - https://workalike.com/freelancers/stay-organized-as-a-freelance-engineer/’
· Ejim E. (2023) What does a freelance architect do?
, Practical Adult Insights [online] Available at - https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/what-does-a-freelance-architect-do.htm
Image Sources:
· Image 1: Illustrarch [online] Available
at - https://illustrarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/A5257-Why-are-young-architects-choosing-freelancing-Image-3.jpg
· Image 2: Knowhouse [online] Available at
- https://knowhouse.mu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Property-Development-Sucess-The-Key-Role-Of-Architects.jpg
· Image 3: OTC [online] Available at - https://otc.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SEO-1658-bs-Time-Management-Distribution-306898651-1200x675-1.jpg
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