Overview
What does a $47,000 architectural fee actually buy? Tim Derrington breaks down a proposal for a 17,000-square-foot gym in an existing strip center: $7,000 for design and code-compliance work, and $40,000 for coordination and documentation. The example explains why the initial concept can account for a small part of the work required to deliver a buildable project.
Tim joins Eugene Gershman to examine what owners should expect from an architect, how to evaluate a design team's construction knowledge, and why a convincing rendering leaves important questions unanswered. They discuss the responsibilities behind a complete set of plans, the limits of early cost estimates, and the money owners must spend to reduce uncertainty before construction.
The conversation moves through real project problems, including an engineering handoff that delayed construction and unexpected conditions beneath an existing building. Tim and Eugene examine how architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, and builders need to coordinate, and why the professional who leads the team should depend on the project.
They also discuss defining the development program before design, balancing function with the experience of a space, and the benefits and frustrations of building information modeling. Tim explains where he currently finds AI useful and closes with questions owners can ask to compare architectural proposals, understand exclusions, and choose a team they can trust.
Guest Bio
Tim Derrington is the founding principal of Derrington Building Studio, an Austin-based architecture practice he founded in 2011. He trained at the University of Houston and is licensed to practice architecture in Texas.
The studio designs commercial interiors, adaptive reuse projects, and places for gathering, fitness, and recreation across Texas. In the conversation, Tim describes the firm's work in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, including climbing destinations, retail spaces, and wedding venues. His perspective connects design intent with the coordination and construction details needed to carry it through.
Episode Highlights and Chapters
00:00 — Episode preview
A preview of the conversation on architectural fees, hidden building conditions, verifying design details, and spending money to understand a project's feasibility.
00:58 — Land to Legacy intro
The Land to Legacy introduction.
01:09 — Meet Tim Derrington
Eugene introduces Tim and the questions developers bring to the relationship between architectural design, construction, and cost.
01:35 — What makes a good architect
Tim explains the combination of vision, coordination, and construction knowledge an owner should expect from an architectural team.
05:21 — Why early construction estimates remain uncertain
A concept can support a rough budget, but the materials, assemblies, and documentation needed for firmer pricing take time and money to develop.
08:38 — Check an architect’s work with builders and clients
Tim recommends speaking with previous clients and builders to learn how an architect's drawings and working relationships perform during construction.
09:55 — Knowing how the design will be built
Tim describes how his team researches assemblies, checks details with specialists, and tests whether a design can be built before treating it as resolved.
14:01 — Construction mistakes and hidden site conditions
Project stories show how coordination failures and unexpected existing conditions can interrupt construction. Tim also discusses taking responsibility for mistakes and bringing design disciplines together early.
25:23 — Which professional should lead the team
The appropriate lead depends on the building and its purpose. Eugene and Tim compare the priorities of architects, civil engineers, and structural engineers.
28:22 — Define feasibility and the program before design
Eugene explains how land-use research, a preliminary budget, market demand, and a potential exit inform the program given to the architect.
30:06 — Designing for function and experience
The discussion moves beyond attractive renderings to how spaces work for people, what problem a design solves, and how function and experience influence each other.
36:46 — Architectural software and documentation
Tim describes the studio's progression from early sketches to Archicad and three-dimensional modeling, including the time required to manage and revise detailed building information.
41:06 — Where AI helps in Tim’s practice
Tim discusses early concepts, text and contract review, and checking his own code research. Eugene shares an example of using AI for preliminary site-planning options.
45:19 — What an architect’s fee actually covers
A proposed $47,000 fee for a 17,000-square-foot gym illustrates the difference between initial design work and the larger coordination and documentation effort.
49:11 — Compare scope before comparing fees
Tim recommends asking what each proposal includes, who handles permitting and consultant coordination, and how revisions and design development will be managed.
51:54 — Tim’s practice and closing thanks
Tim describes Derrington Building Studio's commercial work across Texas and shares where listeners can learn more and contact the studio.
52:39 — Land to Legacy outro
The Land to Legacy closing.
Contact InformationConnect with Tim Derrington
Derrington Building Studio: https://www.derrington.co/
Contact Tim through the studio: https://www.derrington.co/contact/
About Tim and the studio: https://www.derrington.co/about/
Derrington Building Studio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derrington.building.studio/
Episode lessons
Lessons from Why Architects Cost So Much brings together six practical lessons from the conversation, each with an episode example and what it means for your project.
Get the episode lessons
Considering development?
Before you spend on design, use GIS's free Feasibility Study Checklist to organize the basic property facts, identify questions that still need answers, and prepare for a more useful conversation with your development team.
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Eugene Gershman and Land to Legacy
Eugene Gershman: https://egershman.com/
Land to Legacy episodes: https://egershman.com/podcast/
Eugene Gershman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenegershman/
GIS Companies: https://giscompanies.co/
Apply to be a guest on Land to Legacy: https://egershman.com/podcast/guest/
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