I want to start doing a few private jobs to get myself some money to fund myself through uni, I would like to do about one a month a planning application or planning drawings for a small extension for example.

I was wondering i anyone new how to start off doing this and how to get jobs, where to advertise, etc?

newspaper classifieds, arch record classifieds, have business cards made

sometimes you can post in a billboard in the department of buildings or whatever it's called. Also you can do email blasts to offices in the area. You can even post at uni for lazy students or teachers that also practice.

yellow pages
good luck

Talk to local builders and building supply stores.

I think the best way would be to put the word out to friends and family and ask them to suggest you if anyone is looking, most first jobs seem to come this way.

another idea would be to ask ceramic/sanitary etc. stores to be their clients' design consultant (for a low fee), you will meet their clients at the store and try to work for them privately. that way you will be exposed to building clients/businesses

yes say network directly w/ builders. so many architects pass on jobs that are too "small" (relative to what is typ. for a firm) ... builders need designers to get these proj. off the ground ...they dont have time to design.. they just want to get it built


Talk to local builders and building supply stores.

I am in a similar situation to jazzythumper but my question is how much should be charged for a service like this? My situation is I have found some work drawing up some plans for a renovation my brothers boss was planning on putting together himself and I am curious to hear what other people would charge for this sort of service if they only had a year or two experience under there belt?

I am in a similar situation to jazzythumper but my question is how much should be charged for a service like this? My situation is I have found some work drawing up some plans for a renovation my brothers boss was planning on putting together himself and I am curious to hear what other people would charge for this sort of service if they only had a year or two experience under there belt?

If you have 1 to 2 years post graduation and you are confident that you are qualified then I would charge 150% to 200% of your hourly pay at a regular salary type job.

If you're really busy and someone approaches for you a job make an offer much higher than usual. Whether they accept or decline it's still a good bet.

I think hourly is the way to go on small projects. Just keep track of your time and documentation to back it up.

I've also considered doing some freelance work. Recently, I looked online and found a website www.ifreelance.com You all are welcome to check it out, but I haven't had much luck. Finding work on a bulletin board is too impersonal.

Fortunately, I was approached by a friend of mine to do a small webdesign project for one of his clients. Freelance work is a great way to supplement your income during an internship or while in school. I think networking through past business associates, family, and friends is the way to go.

Thanks for the reply archie1492 that does seem like a fair fee to charge. I agree that networking is a great way to find work. After getting the word out there that I was looking to take on projects I was surprised how many people were considering getting some work done.

just set up a website to see if it could help, its just a start so far need to add the examples, am linking to it on other sites flyers to hand out etc.

Check out

www.architecturalplanningdrawings.co.uk

Did anyone have a quick look, any thoughts?

Did anyone have a quick look, any thoughts?

Hi, i had a quick look, i know its not finished, but here are my initial thoughts, for whats it worth....

Your splash page is lacking some, er, splash, i guess! I know people say you should never judge a book by its cover, but if the first thing people see when they visit your site is some simple black and white text then it doesnt bode well for the work beyond. I'd either get rid of it, as it doesnt serve much fucntion or id make it a lot more interesting and informataive.

I dont think you need the "for all your planning...." tag line.

The link buttons for "Services, About, Examples" seems somewhat blurry, it might be a resolution issue.

The sublinks, "cad, Model 3D" are way way way too small.

I know you've split the page up in two, but the right alligned text block is hard to read. i'd bullet point it instead.

Are you using any software for this or are you just writing HTML?

the layout works. i am not sure about posting the prices. i would just say "competitive rates" (or negot. rates) then people will contact you and you go from there. make yourself accessible. this is another advantage that makes you more appealing over a large firm.

looks good. g. luck to you

My comments would be ditto with tommyoh above

typo on the splash page = needsin

about - take out the arty photo that makes you look like a smelly student (I don't think that but your clients might) get in one that makes you look professional; with your suit on.

I think the market for your services as you seem to be pitching them is for dormers and conservatories etc - really basic stuff. Why would they need 3d visualisations or models?

Do you have any examples of CAD drawings for this kind of thing? If not how will you get them?

A website is a good thing to direct people to once they have spoken to you or seen your ad (if you search planning drawings or architectural technician) they are never going to find you) so how are they going to do that? I suggest an advert in the local paper - not the evening news or anything look up the Camden Gazette, Southwark News, Locallife Westminster etc etc.
Also place ads on facebook, myspace, gumtree (http://www.gumtree.com/london/2545_1.html) etc
One market you might not be aware of is estate agents. Why not pop into a few and leave a business card directing them to your website.

Your text (I have amended slightly) should be on the front, splash, page. Also don't be patronising - the kind of people doing this are likely to be wealthy and or old.
Architectural Drawings. Are you planning an extension, conservatory or a loft conversion? Do you require drawings for planning or building control purposes? I can produce high quality CAD drawings, models and 3D Visualisation services at affordable rates and quick turnaround times.

It's gonna be really hard for you to start getting work but once you do start it'll pick up as word of mouth gets you new clients. But beware the idea that you'll do this to pay your way through a 2 year diploma and then move on afterwards - you might not get any work for the first six months, and the work be coming in steadily by the time you want to do something different.

I'd agree with tommy and gorgon here but i think you're certainly on the right tracks, once you have got examples on the site and put out some adverts then i think you'll be onto something. One thing I'd add is the name is a bit of a mouthfull! a-p-d.co.uk is available or Howettarchitecture.co.uk or Howettdesigns.co.uk etc i think a .co.uk is under £3 per year from easily.co.uk or reg-123.co.uk - maybe worth getting a smaller name for business cards etc but i would keep the long name and just redirect the smaller memorable name there. the reason for this being that when you have a phrase in your domain name which people search for such as planning drawings you will be higher up the search engine rankings.

That was my plan, to have the search phrases in my address!

Thanks for all your comments, next weekend is my window to do all these improvements!!!

Jazzy

however you decide to go with this just be very careful on exactly how you present yourself. If you are still at uni then you cannot describe yourself as an architect - the term is legally protected in the UK. It would need to be something along the lines of 'building designer' etc.

Also - make sure that you are completely in the clear in terms of legal responsibility. Never submit a planning application yourself (ie as agent for your client) this would leave you open to repurcussions should something go tits-up at some stage. (planning problem, perhaps the buliding is built but too high/contravenes something in conditions etc)

Finally (if i havent put you off just yet) remember that work expands to fill the time available. inevitably there will be an issue on each job that takes longer than expected to resolve. dealing with local authorities is a black art and cannot always be relied upon or even figured out. You will need to make a committment to your client which may then impinge on your uni time etc.

Good Luck!

Its been a while but I have my first client, and the website has been revamped and completed so any comments or thoughts would be most welcome!

sorry for got to mention the website address www.architecturalplanningdrawings.co.uk (http://www.architecturalplanningdrawings.co.uk)

Its been a while but I have my first client, and the website has been revamped and completed so any comments or thoughts would be most welcome!

I jazzy

Just checking your new website. It looks really neat. I would suggest a couple of things though.
I would check the resolution of the 3d examples, I can see loads pixels, particularly in the first three images. I would check also the size of the menu fonts.

For the portfolio, I would add some stuff in the plans and elevations. Besides what you have, I would go for a more schematic approach, like in the examples below.

overall I really like the clean look.

Cheers

Hi jazzy,
I took a quick look at your website and would agree with pfguerreiro about the pixelated images etc.
I have a quick question regarding your pricing, what kind of professional liability do you take on when preparing planning drawings, your prices seem very low to me ?

... mate this is more than you are bargaining for... London offers many other flexible and financially rewarding opportunities which will fit much better with your student needs... you are getting yourself in the lion's den.

Aren't that last three renderings in your website made by Kwistenbiebel?:wondering

Aren't that last three renderings in your website made by Kwistenbiebel?:wondering


i believe you are mistaking the renderings with the "duplex studio in Antwerp, Belgium" by Kwistenbiebel.

Jazzy,
Very commendable idea- what jumps out at me like a clan member at the million man march is the grammatical mistakes. Your target market is largely of a demographic wot place great importance on this and you will no doubt put potential punters off.
also on the price front-£500 blah blah, can negotiate on ... or larger properties- no one will negotiate up ;) and there is no such thing as a standard property sizewise.
On a more conceptual slant you have to identify your core business and target market and aim the site accordingly. This is obviously going to be extensions etc as you've said, so i think the cool studenty renders will probably detract somewhat and I'd say you need more planning style material. Good luck!

Also - make sure that you are completely in the clear in terms of legal responsibility. Never submit a planning application yourself (ie as agent for your client) this would leave you open to repurcussions should something go tits-up at some stage. (planning problem, perhaps the buliding is built but too high/contravenes something in conditions etc)

Hmmm? Cant completely agree with this! I've got more work from people viewing applications under my name or by just seeing the public notification in the newspaper! In fact possible much of my work - I have no website, no ad in the paper, and no ad in the phone book!!

Also it is the number one way of ensuring you get paid - If the client doesn't pay zip application withdrawn!

Aren't that last three renderings in your website made by Kwistenbiebel?:wondering

Jazzy???

Mate I just had a look at your website and indeed it would seem digdoi has draw some attention to something I'm sure needs some confirmation!!!!!!!

I certainly do recall either these images being posted by Kwistenbiebel or is it the case you have simply aimed to replicate his work?

To be honest mate I don't think either is an admirable undertaking!!!!

.

The renders were just put there to fill space and will be replaced by my own asap, I wanted to see what the space would like with 6 images, not just three, forgot that I was publishing the whole thing!

... mate this is more than you are bargaining for... London offers many other flexible and financially rewarding opportunities which will fit much better with your student needs... you are getting yourself in the lion's den.

Please show me an example of these more rewarding opportunities?

The renders were just put there to fill space and will be replaced by my own asap, I wanted to see what the space would like with 6 images, not just three, forgot that I was publishing the whole thing!

I hope you take the images off ASAP.
C'mon you can't ask people to checkout your website and have an other artists work for your examples.

i had thought it was just a case of some renders looking similiar. it isnt really fair play to have someone elses work on your website.

you need to remove them and replace them with your own work, and / or if you need some pictures to test the layout, it should be clearly stated with permission from the person who created them.

I e-mailed Jazzythumper about the use of my images.
(which were originally posted here: http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/supodiumforum/vpost?id=1740941 (http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/supodiumforum/vpost?id=1740941))

He kindly answered he will remove the images from his website.
No hard feelings and case closed I'd say.


Cheers,
Kwistenbiebel

I e-mailed Jazzythumper about the use of my images.
(which were originally posted here: http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/supodiumforum/vpost?id=1740941 (http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/supodiumforum/vpost?id=1740941))

He kindly answered he will remove the images from his website.
No hard feelings and case closed I'd say.


Cheers,
Kwistenbiebel

Done, sorry for any inconvinience caused.

Thanks, much appreciated. ;)