Mlg...Rd2 retire...Hello, how awful for you, I am sorry this happened. It is definitely an experience I will try to avoid. Its hard to swallow cost overruns. I assume you gave your architect your budget at the onset, and he was out of touch with construction costs, which is sad. I will definetly heed your advice and talk to builders as well. So far, builders have told me that they can roughly estimate the build cost by looking at a rough floor plan. And of course, things can change, depending on finishes...it was so much smoother just to buy a spec home being built in a community. Bought what you saw and walked through as well... architectrunner...'Many folks buy into it'. our area is innundated with 'design build firms'. Their web pages are quite flattering and purport something they are not...In one instance, a friend met with a big and well known Firm's owner/designer. However, never disclosed or indicated that he was not an architect, nor an architectural technologist.. and his fees were exactly that of an architect. He had many awesome ideas and was able to answer questions throughouly. He knew his stuff and had homes and awards to demonstrate this. But It was only through digging on the website and realizing that the 'credentials' were not listed that It was discovered he was not an 'architect'. Perhaps, he was a person of talent and knowledgeable. But Withholding info or Passing oneself off as something you are not is simply WRONG.

1. I have a few builders I love working with and have done multiple projects with. I am also always excited to be working with a new builder. Honestly it's just good for business to know more good builders. In 90% of the cases it works out really well. In my opinion it's more important that you get along with both. I'm presently working on a home with a builder I'd never met. I'm thrilled to be working with him and can't wait to do another project. 2. Relationships with local officials can help. I work in a dozen different jurisdictions that are all particular in different ways making it hard to keep track of all the changing requirements. A good design team can overcome this by doing their homework and sitting down with the officials. They're almost always grateful you're putting in the effort to get it right. 3. I personally love embracing a style I haven't done before. I think the right person can adapt as long as they have an open mind and are willing to learn. I wouldn't rule out someone you like just because they haven't done your style before. 4. I worked for 7 years before starting my own firm. For the last 25 years I've had a sole proprietorship. I did it that way on purpose to give the highest quality service to my clients. While my portfolio can't have as much content as a 20 person firm, I'm intimately involved in every step of the design. When I worked in a large firm my boss did some rough sketches, handed the drawings off to inexperienced draftspersons or intern architects with varying results. My preference is to work with smaller construction companies for their personal attention to the project. 5. The most important thing is to find out who you'll be working with. You may really like the owner of the construction company but if you hate the supervisor you're in for a long slog. I like to know how the builder likes to work with the trades. Do they have good longstanding relationships with sub contractors or do they shop around for the lowest price. In a busy construction economy the good trades are going to take the jobs with the builder who's brought them a steady stream of good work over the years and paid their bills on time. 6. Look for a good value not necessarily the lowest price. Understand exactly how and when the contract price will be determined. Will it be based on square footage, cost of construction or hourly? Find out what level of services you will get for the fee. Fees in our area range from 4-10% the cost of construction. 3% may get you a quick and dirty "builder's set" but a lot of detail will be left out.

In Ontario any homeowner can submit their own drawings, however, they will be reviewed by the planning department to ensure the drawings meet code. However, a professional I,e, draftsman, designer, architectural technologist etc must complete and pass exams and thus obtain a (Building code identification no) BCIN. An architect does not require a BCIN, however, they must be licensed in the province in order to have construction drawings approved. Some further explanations http://www.andythomson.ca/2016/11/15/why-a-bcin-is-not-an-architect/

A little early for deposits, but you should interview now and hire an architect within 6 months.. Figure out when you want to move in and back track from there.... design+permit review+ build time. Get real timelines by interviewing references. "How long from the time you put the 1. (architect or b. builder) under contract until their work was complete? How long does it take to get a permit? If you're 2 years away from starting, you will want completed permit submittable plans six months prior to breaking ground. Allow 60-90 days for financing from the time you decide on a lender. It may take only 30 days to process a loan or less, but it takes time to get your stuff ready for them usually requiring plans, contract and all your regular docs. If you expect to submit for permit after Jan 1 2023, plan for the codes that will go into effect then. Plan for costs to increase at 1.3-1.7x inflation rates.