A Better Place - Easily Find a Great Architect!

As an architecture network, we assist discerning clients in realizing their unique building dreams while achieving good value for money.

On our website, you will find architects who won’t just design run-of-the-mill houses for you. Instead, they tailor your construction project to comply with the applicable zoning plan and state building codes. Upon request, they can also incorporate eco-friendly building materials, ensure a short construction period, and, unusually, even offer a fixed price guarantee.

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Advantages of Having Your Project Planned by an A Better Place Architect

Fixed Prices

Typically, architects charge according to the HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers), meaning the more expensive the project, the more they can bill you. At A Better Place, it's different. Learn here how we provide complete cost transparency through fixed pricing.

Short Construction Times

Some of our architects have construction firms that are highly engineering-driven, offering short construction times without compromising on quality and precision. Learn here how short construction times can save you money.

True Comparability

If you have one of our architects design your dream house and decide not to proceed with them, the design provides an excellent basis for comparison for your continued search. Learn here how you can compare offers.

Healthy & Sustainable Living

Several architects in our network partner with builders who focus on ecological building materials and insulate houses without using styrofoam, for instance. Learn here about the financial benefits of sustainable construction.

Find Your Great Architect

Discover the personalities, specialists, trendsetters, experts, and designers in our network. Then, choose from our portfolio of selected architects, planners, and designers who best fit your individual project. Our architect comparison provides the necessary transparency you need to make an informed decision. Learn all about the architects’ training, experience, and specialties and get a perfect overview with our PRO and CON list.

How to Find a Great Architect

Finding a good architect is not so simple. After all, they need to not only be competent and ideally experienced but also click with you. This personal rapport is crucial in ensuring that your architect delivers more than the bare minimum. Essentially, it’s about going the extra mile for their clients.
If there’s no click between the builder and the planner, you may end up with just a building, not a home.
To get it right, there are a few things prospective builders should consider if they want to feel comfortable in their future home. Good architects not only adhere to the zoning plan but also integrate the desires of the builder with considerations of light and sight lines, the characteristics of the property, neighboring buildings, and possibly even Feng Shui, as well as access and driveway planning.
All these elements must be professionally combined to ensure that builders feel truly comfortable and the house can radiate a certain warmth with beautiful furnishings. To help you find good architects, here are 5 tips on how to recognize a good architect and 5 tips on when you might want to avoid a planner:

Five Points to Consider in Finding and Choosing a Good Architect:

  • Do the architects have an “About Us” section on their homepage? And how do they present themselves in it?
  • Can you find the architects on YouTube to get an idea of their work?
  • Do the architects have a personal profile on professional networks?
  • Are prices and costs clearly communicated?
  • Do the architects identify their strengths and weaknesses?

You might not find a good architect if the following five points are true:

  • No online profile or homepage with an “About Us” section
  • They do not personally present their projects
  • They are anonymous partners on platforms that only mediate
  • The architect has not specialized in various types of construction (e.g., single-family homes, multi-family homes, log homes, etc.)
  • It is not clear online how much their services cost.

FAQ Block

Architects are responsible for the design of buildings and facilities, taking into account aesthetic, technical, and economic factors in their work. Often, an architect will accompany a construction project from planning through to completion.

An architect needs to be well-versed in various aspects of construction, including building laws, construction processes, and building technology. They must be able to produce technical drawings and possess extensive skills in planning, coordination, and organization. Additionally, they should be proficient in communication and conceptualization and not shy away from taking responsibility.

Hiring an architect offers numerous benefits for clients. An architect provides expert guidance throughout the construction project, offers advice, ensures the clients’ wishes are considered, and takes care of all the legal requirements related to the planned construction. This can prevent additional costs and set the project on a path to success from the outset.

Generally, there are two methods for determining the cost of an architect: either based on the HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers), where typically about 10-15% of the total construction costs need to be budgeted, or based on a fixed price. You can find the costs of architects in their profiles, or use this tool to calculate it: Planning & Architect Fee Calculator.

Fee guidelines for architects are specified in the HOAI. On average, you might expect to pay around €15,000 for an architectural drawing, although the cost can vary significantly depending on the circumstances and the scope of services. It is not advisable to commission just the drawing from an architect, as a project should always be considered holistically. You can find the appropriate tool to calculate the cost of an architect here: Planning & Architect Fee Calculator.

This greatly depends on the total costs of the construction project and the specific services the architect is commissioned to perform. Assuming a fee of 12 percent of the construction sum, an architect would receive €36,000 for their participation in a €300,000 construction project.

An architect’s hourly rate ranges between €100 and €500. However, this is not the right question to ask, as architects rarely work on an hourly basis. A more interesting question would be what does real architectural planning on a fixed price cost? Here is an overview: a-better-place.de/architekten/

Building without an architect is not advisable, and in some parts, it’s not even possible. For instance, architectural and/or engineering signatures are required for building permit applications.

The work of an engineer focuses mainly on the technical aspects and the execution of construction projects, whereas an architect is significantly involved in creative design and spends much time on planning tasks. In simple terms, it could be said that the civil engineer often checks and implements what the architect has previously designed and planned.

It depends on what aspects of the construction project are prioritized. If it’s a large building and the focus is primarily on technical aspects, working with an engineer might be advisable. However, if creative, aesthetic-artistic components are more important, an architect would be the right person to consult.

In 2023/2024, a house designed by an architect costs approximately €3,500 to €5,000 per square meter. The costs can be managed by A Better Place architects. Additional purchase and construction-related costs also apply. Those who want clarity can find the best house-building checklists at a-better-place.de/hausbau-checklisten/. With these, you can quickly figure out approximately how much your architect-designed house will cost. And for those who want to engage a professional immediately, here is a selection of ideal architects and planners.

The most famous architect in the world is Wolf Schneider. The world just hasn’t recognized it yet. Until then, Frank Lloyd Wright is among the top-ranked.

Architects you should know:
  • Amelie Forster
  • Wolf Schneider
  • Ute Kiemle-Schwenk
  • Thomas Kunkel
  • Dirk Müller
Planners you should know:
  • Benedict Baum
  • Michael Lippl
  • Thorsten Richter

Architects are only expensive if they charge according to HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers). Many architects now offer planning services at a fixed price, often for less than €10,000. See more here: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

It’s hard to determine who the richest architect in the world is exactly. However, we know that the architect with the richest experience we can recommend is Wolf Schneider. You can find him here: a-better-place.de/architekten/

The best architect earns up to €60,000 as an employee. If self-employed, they earn approximately €60,000 to €120,000.

An architect charges about €200 to €400 for a consultation. Prospective builders can find a selection of possible consultation services by architects at the following link: https://www.a-better-place.de/shop/

Yes, but the operators of architectural platforms are more attractive. Jokes aside. According to dating sites, architects have an attractiveness bonus over other professions. We wish you success in pairing up.

An a better place architect must pay attention to the following:
  • Light and sight lines
  • The characteristics of the property (basement or slab?)
  • Cost certainty for builders through fixed pricing during planning
  • The zoning plan
  • The neighboring buildings
  • The builder’s budget
  • The cardinal directions and the course of the sun and shadows
  • The development and access
  • Earthquake zones, wind loads, and snow loads

The most famous architect on our platform is Wolf Schneider, due to his vast experience. Generally, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is regarded as a famous architect in Germany.

You can call yourself an architect once you are registered with one of the country’s architectural chambers.

A self-employed architect earns between €60,000 and €120,000 per year, which translates to approximately €5,000 to €10,000 per month. Architects from A Better Place offer a better cost-performance ratio for builders and earn slightly less per project, but they can handle more projects. As a result, A Better Place architects ultimately earn slightly more than other self-employed architects.

An architect earns between €5,000 and €10,000 per month. This also depends on whether they are employed or self-employed.

For planning a standard house, an architect earns between €5,000 and €10,000 per project. Make sure that the planning is offered at a fixed price. If you purchase all services from an architect, which is often not recommended, the architect receives about 10% to 15% of the construction sum according to HOAI. You can compare the exact flat rates for planning and their costs here: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

The daily rates of an architect for conducting construction supervision range from €600 to €2,000. It’s wiser to limit the architect to their core competency and purchase only the planning from them. Afterward, find a construction company and secure the construction with a building expert familiar with the specific construction method. Prefab specialists should inspect prefab and wooden houses, while house construction experts should inspect conventional houses.

The easiest way for architects to obtain new projects is to apply at A Better Place Architects. Otherwise, they are left with follow-up orders, the unpopular task of solicitation, and door-to-door sales. Alternatively, they can also present themselves at construction fairs.

If the plan is to be good, an architect needs about 3 to 10 weeks. This requires a preliminary investigation, often a visit to the property, and studying the zoning plan.

A top architect, if diligent, earns more than €100,000 per year. You can find diligent and good architects here: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

An architect for a single-family home costs between €5,000 and €10,000 if you only purchase the planning. Otherwise, architects cost 10% to 15% of the contract sum. You can find very good architects here: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

To design a floor plan, an architect must consider various factors, such as:
  • Light and sight lines
  • The characteristics of the property (basement or slab?)
  • Cost certainty for builders through fixed pricing during planning
  • The zoning plan
  • The neighboring buildings
  • The builder’s budget
  • The cardinal directions and the course of the sun and shadows
  • The development and access
  • Earthquake zones, wind loads, and snow loads
Therefore, an architect needs about €5,000 to €10,000 for a floor plan. It is advisable to avoid planning tools that cannot consider the above points.

No, architects can charge different prices for planning, ranging from €5,000 to €10,000. Here you can find an overview and see how expensive each architect is: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

No, typically their roles are separate. An architect primarily focuses on the planning aspects, while a structural engineer is essential for the overall safety and stability of the building.

There is no definitive ranking for the best architecture firm. However, you can find many excellent architects at this link: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

Design planning for a standard house costs between €3,500 and €10,000, depending on the architect. The cost of design planning is determined by various factors. Does the architect work only with a laptop, or do they have an architectural office? Are they very busy, or not? Do they have a construction company at their disposal?

Design planning should always be conducted by an architect. Good architects take into account the following points during design planning:
  • Light and sight lines
  • Property conditions (basement or slab?)
  • Cost certainty for builders through fixed pricing during planning
  • The zoning plan
  • The neighboring buildings
  • The builder’s budget
  • The cardinal directions and the course of the sun and shadows
  • The development and access
  • Earthquake zones, wind loads, and snow loads
  • You can find good architects and planners here: https://www.a-better-place.de/architekten/

Design planning for a standard house costs between €3,500 and €10,000, depending on the architect. The costs are determined by various factors such as whether the architect only uses a laptop, has an architectural office, is very busy, or has a construction company at their disposal.

If the design planning is to be of high quality, an architect needs about 3 to 10 weeks. This requires preliminary investigations, often including a visit to the site and studying the zoning plan. During design planning, good architects consider the following points:
  • Light and sight lines
  • Property conditions (basement or slab?)
  • Cost certainty for builders through fixed pricing during planning
  • The zoning plan
  • The neighboring buildings
  • The builder’s budget
  • The cardinal directions and the course of the sun and shadows
  • The development and access
  • Earthquake zones, wind loads, and snow loads
  • You can find good architects who perform design planning here: www.a-better-place.de/architekten/
Design planning includes the fulfillment of service phases 1-3 according to HOAI. Good architects take into account the following points:
  • Light and sight lines
  • Property conditions (basement or slab?)
  • Cost certainty for builders through fixed pricing during planning
  • The zoning plan
  • The neighboring buildings
  • The builder’s budget
  • The cardinal directions and the course of the sun and shadows
  • The development and access
  • Earthquake zones, wind loads, and snow loads
  • For those interested in the costs of design planning, here you can find a selection of good architects and planners: www.a-better-place.de/architekten/