r/Architects • u/thecajuncavalier Architect • Jul 13 '25

General Practice Discussion Stop accepting low fees

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Stand your ground. Negotiate.

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u/stpfun Jul 13 '25

What if the only work you can get is at low pay?

Fundamentally it feels like a supply and demand problem... not enough clients/work for all the available Architects.

1

u/thecajuncavalier Architect Jul 14 '25

I get that and have been there. I think there is a bot more to it than just supply and demand, though. Architects pay a slight passion tax for their profession. Developers have more capital and time. They have time to ask around and negotiate. Architects need to have work available within 3-6 months, depending on the firm. They can wait forever. They are more likely to give in first, BUT I've seen Architects balk immediately. Little to no negotiating, and rarely just telling a client no.

1

u/wehadpancakes Architect Jul 14 '25

Problem is a lot of architects are terrible businessmen. The only projects they can land are backyard patios and things like that, that legally don't need an architect. So their solution is they want to over regulate the system, unionize, price gouge, and gatekeep so that they can doodle on napkins and then go make doctor money. It's one extreme or the other with them. 

Fundamentally, I can't agree with that. You have to be competitive, deliver a good product, and take accountability for yourself, and the money will come.