Do You Really Need an Architect?
What an architect does for your project, and when you may not need one.
The same mistake costs far less on paper than on site.
“Hiring an architect can feel like an add-on you could skip. Fair question. Let’s answer it honestly.”
01What are you really paying for?
You’re paying for a home that gets built right the first time. The drawings are how that happens. Before concrete is poured, fixing a mistake costs an eraser. After, it costs a demolition crew.
02Who is responsible if the plans are wrong?
Under the Architecture Act, RA 9266, plans must carry the seal and signature of a licensed architect, with their license number and its expiration date. That architect is fully responsible for what they sign. No seal means no one is standing behind the drawings.
03What does the building official expect?
Your building official will ask for plans prepared and sealed this way. The same law says local officials must not accept plans that aren’t, and must not approve payments for work based on them. So it’s not only advice. It’s what you’ll meet at the permit counter.
04Whose side is everyone on?
A contractor earns by building. A supplier earns by selling. The architect is paid to look after your interests in the design. Different jobs, different loyalties.
Anyone can say he’s an architect. Only a registered and licensed one can seal your plans. Ask for his registration and license number, then verify it on the Professional Regulation Commission website before you sign a contract.
05Fair question: is it ever okay to skip one?
Sometimes. It depends on what you’re touching, not how small the job looks.
Replacing roofing sheets, repainting or changing tiles is surface work. You usually don’t need an architect for that.
But structural work needs a professional, even if it seems minor. Removing a wall, cutting a beam or column, or changing the roof framing can weaken the whole house.
Electrical work is just as serious. A small wiring repair done wrong can cause a fire. Don’t take it lightly. Have a licensed professional handle it.
Not sure which kind of job you have? Ask before you start.
06Where do you start?
Start with your barangay. For a building permit, the building official asks for a barangay clearance first. If your lot is in a subdivision, you also need clearance from your homeowners’ association. So those two are your first stops, before any plans are filed.
07Three questions to ask any architect
You can hire someone to build it. Who do you hire to check it?
Not sure where to start?
Tell us about your project in 15 minutes and we will point you to the right next step.
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