Anyone building a new facility has faced this challenge: big needs, small dollars and confusion over where to allocate resources.

"It's tempting to hire the architect with the lowest fee," says GLTA Principal David Leapaldt. "But we encourage clients to look at the whole picture -- the lowest fee is not necessarily going to reduce your overall cost. In fact, it may increase it."

Architectural fees can range from 5-10 percent of construction costs, depending on the type of building -- a small part of the total cost . "I've seen where clients have selected an architect with the lowest fee -- only to have cost overruns and change orders push the cost over the original budget. Good architecture takes time -- to select the materials and evaluate their cost, to review processes, to consult with code and construction experts, to design a building that will meet the needs of the organization. And the lowest fee will usually get you the least amount of time.

"You can draw an analogy to medical services," he continued. "Would you go to the surgeon with the lowest fee? Of course not. When it's important, you select a professional on the basis of experience and success and your comfort level with the individual. The same goes for selecting an architect. The right architect will ensure that you get the most building for your dollar."

GLTA designs the maximum building by carefully reviewing all choices for materials and processes during development of the design by communicating with cost and code consultants to anticipate problems, by applying cost evaluation techniques throughout each stage of the process and by reviewing long-term maintenance costs. "Our buildings are simply better for less," declared Leapaldt.

Tips For Getting The Most Building
For Your Construction Dollar

1. Architects are instrumental in controlling your overall building costs. Do not select an architect on the basis of fees alone. Determine the level and quality of services provided for the architectural fee and evaluate your comfort level with the architect.
2. Review a record of change orders and budget compliance on recent projects designed by the architects you are considering.
3. Compare the quality of the architect's buildings vs. the cost per square foot.
4. If appropriate, evaluate whether the architects will take into account the needs of your total campus and will design buildings that accommodate future expansions.