Frequently Asked Questions
We have made this section of questions and answers to try to address in a practical and quick way all queries related to our services, products and information on our site. Please type your query in the space below:
Architectural Design
Our custom architectural design service creates a project tailored to your needs; analyzing the information gathered, we study the available space, important details and key factors to create the perfect design for you.
It is the process of planning and creating buildings and public spaces with a focus on function, aesthetics and sustainability. It involves the combination of various elements such as structure, style, form, light, color and materials to create a space that meets the functional and aesthetic requirements of the client..
Its importance lies in creating spaces that are functional, attractive and safe. Good architectural design can maximize the use of space, improve energy efficiency and reduce construction and maintenance costs. In addition, it can influence how people interact and relate to public spaces, which in turn can have a positive impact on the quality of life for individuals and the community at large.
Time is directly related to the size and complexity of the project, however, an average project around 100m² and based on the four phases of the design stage, can take between 4 to 6 weeks.
All our projects count on the energy and knowledge of our team of architects for the generation of the design stage of the project, additionally and according to the needs of the work, architects, structural engineers, electrical engineers, sanitary engineers, mechanical engineers, network and safety specialists, among others, are involved.
Unfortunately no, our designs are personalized, original and unique; we do not generate designs for mass production, we will gladly make a project to suit your needs.
Yes, the design stage involves the effort, time and resources of our work team, therefore all design and consulting services represent an economic investment.
Of course! A custom design optimizes the use of space, allows maximum use of natural light and ventilation, adequate heights, foresees (if necessary) the projection of orderly growth, and considers that the project reflects your personality and style. All of the above will generate a more efficient project, which will increase the value of the project and provide more comfort to its users.
You can contact us or schedule an appointment (virtual or in person) to discuss your project, with the information provided (we suggest you tell us about expansion plans or civil works in phases, in order to better understand your objectives) we will generate an economic offer which you will receive within 48 hours approximately.
Once the offer is approved, we will sign a contract document to start the project. We suggest you review the section How long does the design stage take?
All our design services start once the contract is signed and the advance payment presented in the economic offer approved by the client is received; from that moment on you will receive the project distribution proposal.
See question How can I start the design stage with the arrquitectos team?
Since each project is customized, the value is determined by factors such as the area of the project, the specialized professionals required to carry out the project, delivery time, among others.
See question How can I start the design stage with the arrquitectos team?We always appreciate your trust, however, we want to be guarantors of healthy and fair professional competition, therefore, prior to the start of the contracting of our services, in this particular case, we will request a written note from the professional or representative of the company in charge of the original design, in which you must express the break of your contractual relationship, confirm that you as the client is the sole intellectual owner of the design and authorize the freedom to modify and update the design at the discretion of the owner.
Yes, by hiring the design services of arrquitectos you become the owner and owner of the products generated from such contracting. Our team will only retain the authorship of the product. Imagine it similar to buying a painting, you become the owner, but the painter remains the author of the work.
In our deliverables delivery, you will get the editable project design files (in CAD and/or Revit formats, as requested) PDF files and a set of printed drawings (signed and sealed).
Depending on the complementary services you contract with Arrquitectos, you may also receive as deliverables: detailed budget document, additional printed copies of the design, printouts with professional stamps, certificates from the professionals, specialty calculation memories or others.
Our firm attends to different types of projects:
Institutional Architecture: Office projects and work areas for public and/or private companies.
Commercial architecture: Commercial buildings, commercial buildings, commercial kiosks, spaces for trade of goods or services in different areas.
Residential architecture: Single-family or multi-family housing buildings.
Hospital architecture: Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, health centers and others.
Educational architecture: Educational complexes and teaching spaces, both intellectual (classrooms, auditoriums, laboratories) and physical (courts, swimming pools, sports centers, etc.).
Recreational architecture: Spaces for recreation and/or entertainment.
Urban architecture: Urban developments, subdivisions, urban spaces and others.
All members of our staff will make available to you their full knowledge, resources and time to support you with your project. It will be developed in three stages as detailed below:
Pre-project phase: Once the contract is signed and the advance payment is received, based on the information gathered in the meetings with the client and visits to the project site, our architectural team will generate a layout proposal and 3D photorealistic views which we will present to you for review and observations. We will dedicate time to clarify all your doubts and make the changes you request; once the preliminary project is satisfactory and we have your approval, we will proceed to the technical and construction drawings phase.
Technical phase: In this stage the necessary plans for the construction of the work are elaborated. It considers the elaboration of plans of cuts and sections of the project, where all the finishes and constructive systems to be used in the work are detailed. The distribution proposal for light fixtures and electrical installations is made, which we will present for your approval. At the same time, we will develop the design of the sanitary installations and the design of other special installations requested (air conditioning, data, telephony or others), each one of these with the support of specialized professionals.
Delivery phase: At this time you will receive all the technical documents, both physical and digital, product of the contracted services.
See the question What will I receive at the end of the design phase?
Our team of professionals is highly qualified and certified in each of their areas of work, keeping themselves in continuous training to provide quality services to ensure that your projects are adapted to the needs of users and global changes.
Each aRRquitectos professional has a minimum of 12 years of experience in design, construction and project management. Likewise, our digitizers are trained and evaluated to ensure the necessary skills in the use of resources and equipment with the latest computer aided design and 3D modeling software.
We strive to include sustainability and energy efficiency measures that minimize environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs. One of our commitments is to create healthy and efficient spaces for our customers. Some of the measures we consider are:
Bioclimatic design: we consider factors such as solar orientation, natural ventilation, use of shading and natural lighting to maximize energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Sustainable building materials: the use of sustainable and low environmental impact building materials are considered in the design.
Design of efficient HVAC systems: We design efficient ventilation and air conditioning systems that reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
Water management: We implement efficient water management systems, such as rainwater harvesting systems, gray water reuse systems for irrigation, among others, to reduce water consumption and minimize the impact on the environment.
We ensure that we comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements at every stage of the project. We do this as follows:
Prior research and analysis: we research and review all applicable local, departmental and national rules and regulations to ensure that we comply with all necessary requirements.
Consultation with experts: in special cases we orient ourselves with the support of lawyers, specialized engineers or competent institutions, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Design and planning: At the design stage we review compliance with building codes, zoning regulations and environmental protection laws.
Inspections and approvals: During the building permit management phase, we work in collaboration with inspectors and regulatory agencies, until all approvals are obtained to allow for a smooth execution.
In each phase of our projects, we make sure to maintain a fluid and constant communication with our clients, in order to guarantee the satisfaction of our clients and the efficient execution of the project. This communication is developed as follows:
Initial meetings: Before starting the project, we meet with the client to learn about their needs, objectives, budget and deadlines. Here we establish a line of communication and discuss how the architectural design team and the client will communicate throughout the project.
Site Visits: We conduct site visits with the client to evaluate the terrain and important elements; discuss any issues or challenges to consider.
Periodic presentations and reviews: During the project, we make periodic presentations to the client to show the progress of the design and get feedback and suggestions from the client. These presentations allow us to tailor the design to the client's specific needs and ensure that the project is progressing according to the client's expectations.
Email and telephone communications: We maintain constant communication with the client via email and telephone. This allows us to respond quickly to any questions or concerns from the client and keep the client informed on the progress of the project.
Final meetings: At the end of the project, we meet with the client to review the final design and discuss any necessary changes or adjustments.
In addition, we provide all necessary documentation to the client and ensure that they are satisfied with the product.
Among our post-design services we have: management service, supervision service and construction service. If it is necessary to socialize the project to external executing teams, we can generate a personalized offer. When contracting our design services you have three weeks after the delivery of the design, with the availability of our professionals to answer any questions or queries.
Construction
We present a work plan and a budget that includes all the costs for the execution of the work (valid for 60 days to start the work). Once approved, the client must make the advance payment for the beginning of the work. Based on the execution and approval of the advances, the disbursements will be made in time and form according to the work plan until the work is completed.
In this format the project adheres to the finishes and materials proposed in the budget; the only additional costs to the original budget will be those generated from changes and additional works requested by the client.
Administrative contract for the execution of worksA work plan and base budget is generated, this budget is not considered closed but as a guide that according to the progress of the works, updates and changes (approved or requested by the client) the budget will be updated, as well as the amounts of disbursements necessary to continue and complete the work. Within this modality the time of execution of the work is somewhat uncertain, however, a planning is created to have a global idea.
In this modality the client will receive monthly reports of actual execution vs. base budget.
In this case our company will stop the activities until the last payment was covered and the delivery time of the work is frozen.
Our company is fully aware of the different financial risks involved in a project, so we encourage our clients to maintain a fluid communication in this aspect, to find solutions that are satisfactory for both parties.
In general, field personnel are the professionals who will be on site during the execution of the project. Depending on the work, its location (environment), this varies, however, it will be composed of:
Field professionals
- Supervising architect
- Resident (Architect or Civil Engineer)
- Technical personnel
- Site foreman
- Warehouseman
- Watchman
- Team leaders (plumbing, painting, plastering, etc.)
Normally in an eight-hour workday Monday through Friday and a half-day on Saturday; however, if your project requires a night or weekend schedule, our team will schedule for those times.
You should keep in mind that work during extended or night work hours will represent additional costs or costs of execution of the works greater than those developed in normal hours.
Yes, it is possible in some cases, however, it is necessary the previous review and confirmation by our company, to know the current state and to be able to determine if it is prudent to use it.
Our company will not be able to cover warranty for elements or materials provided by the client, even in cases where it is provided in new condition, only for the activity of installation or placement of the same.
Yes, the warranty period is three months. During this time, accessories such as faucets, sanitary ware and lighting fixtures may be replaced in the event of manufacturing defects.
If your project includes the provision of furniture, it will have a 15-day warranty, which will not cover improper use or alteration of the furniture.
The air conditioning systems have a warranty period of six months, as long as the client has requested the revision and maintenance of the suggested equipment during the installation, which must be done by our company and represents an independent cost.
Yes, our teamwork policy allows us to collaborate with external teams without problems; however, our company will not cover warranty for the work performed by these personnel or elements that they manipulate, in any given scenario we recommend a meeting between those involved to coordinate scopes, times and responsibilities.
If prior to the warranty application request, you or a third party (technician or company) were to manipulate, open or modify an element that presents failures or malfunctions, the entire warranty will be considered void.
The warranty does not cover damages due to misuse, blows, force, faults due to adulteration of the delivered elements or problems caused by the user's activities.
We try to respond to your request within 24 to 48 hours of your communication. For arrquitectos it is very important to guarantee your satisfaction at every stage, however, we appreciate your understanding that this type of events or requests in their unforeseen condition, involve coordination and unplanned management, so the attention times may vary.
Management | Supervision
In accordance with our professional ethics policy, arrquitectos will not be responsible for, endorse or sign technical documents prepared by outside and/or external professionals or that have not been reviewed or offered by our company under the corresponding contractual conditions.
We regret to inform you that we do not provide this service. However, we can provide you with advice for the acquisition of a property or land for your project, this service will have an investment value proportional to the scope of the assistance. For further information please contact us.
We can only assist you with this service in cases where arrquitectos is in charge of the design, construction or both stages of your project. In addition, you should take into account the following aspects:
The value of the service varies according to the scope and complexity of the project for which the management will be carried out.
The time required to obtain the construction permit depends on the management time of each institution involved.
If one of the stages of the project (design or construction) will not be under the responsibility of our company, the client must provide the contacts or means of communication of the responsible professionals, who will have the previous commitment to provide or comply with the necessary requirements to obtain the license.
Our team will not sign on behalf or substitution of another external professional.
See the question Can I ask arrquitectos to sign plans or sign responsibility for the management of construction licenses?
Yes, each permit has small variants of applications in which the owner or the owner's legal representative must personally process the application.
Each municipal office in Honduras has its own list of requirements, however, you must comply with at least:
- Be full owner of the lot or otherwise have a promise of purchase/sale document where you will be building.
- Be up to date with personal and property municipal taxes.
Possess the set of plans (digital and physical) of the project to be carried out; with signature, seal and stamp of the responsible professionals.
- To have a construction budget.
Our main objective in this service is to prevent errors, reinforce knowledge and guarantee the quality of your work. Arrquitectos will assign the necessary professionals to supervise each stage and process.
- The supervision of the work will be done periodically, it can be monthly, biweekly or weekly; additional visits will be made at important moments of the project, such as foundries, inspections prior to important closures, hidden or covered by earth.
- For each periodic visit a descriptive and photographic report of the expected vs. obtained progress will be made; in addition to recommendations, alerts, approvals, changes and rejections.
- The supervision time will be equal to the construction time or the time requested by the client. See section I can request the service for a short stage of the project.
Yes, it is possible, however, this reduces the ability to identify faults, hidden defects, errors and proper monitoring of the execution.
Arrquitectos will not be responsible for previous or subsequent events that may alter the supervised work, being this modality more a punctual consultancy service than the follow-up that a supervision entails.
Ideally, the service should start prior to the construction stage in order to gather information prior to intervening in the site and analyze the design, budget and planning documentation.
Fluid and constant communication, before and during the work, between client, construction company and supervision team.
Plan and link work execution milestones with supervision.
In order to guarantee an adequate service, arrquitectos reserves the right to provide the supervision service in cases where the work is being executed by labor without the coordination of a professional.
The supervision service assumes the understanding between professional(s) in broad knowledge of the times, processes and responsibilities, as well as in compliance with guarantees. If you do not have a construction company, our firm can provide the construction service.
The visit will last as long as necessary for the correct inspection, the necessary meeting(s) to be held and the time required for the collection of information and photographic survey.
It is ideal that the construction company always has a responsible professional who will accompany the supervisor during the inspection; for this purpose, the appointment will be planned and coordinated so as not to hinder the agendas of the different professionals involved (except for forced or urgent visits, where emergency calls are made).
The client or a representative (with decision-making power) must be present during the visit in those cases where the supervisor or executor deems it appropriate.
Outsourcing
It is a term used to refer to the process of outsourcing services or business processes to specialized third parties, in other words, it is when a company hires another company or external professionals to perform a specific task on its behalf.
The main objective of outsourcing is to allow the company to concentrate on its core activities or execute a project in less time, while the outsourced services are performed by experts in the field, with greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is a very common practice today, and is used in a variety of industries and business areas.
As a company, hiring an outsourcing service provided by the arrquitectos team can provide several benefits. Some of the main ones are:
Cost reduction: By outsourcing the architectural service, fixed costs associated with hiring full-time employees, such as salaries, benefits and resources, are eliminated.
Increased efficiency: The contractor can leverage its experience and expertise to develop projects faster and more efficiently.
Flexibility: Outsourcing architectural services allows the firm to quickly scale its design and construction capabilities without having to invest in additional resources.
Focus on core business: By leaving architecture in the hands of experts, the company can focus on its core business and long-term strategy without having to worry about design and construction tasks.
Improved quality: By having a team of highly trained and experienced architects, the firm can ensure the quality of its projects, which in turn can enhance its reputation and its ability to win new clients.
The process to contract the outsourcing service varies according to the type of service to be outsourced, but generally has the following steps:
Identification of the need: The first thing the company must do is to identify which services or processes it wishes to outsource.
Negotiation of the scope of the contract: The scope of the service, deadlines, prices and any other relevant terms must be established.
Service implementation: Once the contract has been signed and the advance payment made, arrquitectos will begin to implement the service. This may involve hiring and training personnel, implementing systems and processes, and managing the transition of the service from the company to the provider.
Monitoring and management of the service: After the implementation of the service, it is important to maintain constant and fluid communication that allows the client to know that the expected value is being obtained.
Delivery and closure: Once the time and execution of the project is completed, arrquitectos will deliver all the contracted product, templates, editable files, reports and photographs (requested by the client).
You will be able to learn more about our team and work experience through our company profile and project portfolio, which will ensure that we are the right company for your needs. We will present to you the options and work software, as well as standardization parameters for deliverables.
In addition, your project will have a professional in chief who will be dedicated to manage and plan feasible deadlines for product delivery, as well as follow-up meetings, progress review and permanent communication channels with you. In this way we will guarantee that the contracted services comply with the requested parameters and the expected quality.
Our architectural design team is highly professional and qualified. We have architects with a minimum of 12 years of experience in design, construction, as well as project management. Our professionals are highly trained in the use of the latest design technologies, such as 3D modeling and computer aided design.
Since our inception in 2011, we have worked on a wide range of architectural design projects, of various typologies and complexity. Our experience and training have been accumulated over the years, which has allowed us to continuously improve our services and provide innovative architectural design solutions tailored to the needs of our clients.
Design, supervision and construction services.
As each project presents different characteristics and challenges, our team will analyze all the aspects to be considered, the professionals that will be necessary to elaborate the requested products, requested delivery times and other points requested by the client on the basis of which arrquitectos will present a personalized economic offer.
This will depend directly proportional to the complexity and scope of the service, it is suggested to the client to indicate the time available in the initial meeting and thus confirm that it is possible to support him within his line of planning.
The communication between the client and the team of arrquitectos is fundamental to guarantee the client's satisfaction and the success of the project, for this reason, we make sure to maintain a fluid and constant communication with our clients in each phase of the project. Below, we explain how we communicate between the client and the architectural design team during the project:
Initial meetings: before starting the project, we meet with the client to learn about their needs, objectives, budget and timelines. We identify responsibilities, define deliverables and assign the person in charge of communication for both parties.
Site visits: We make one or several site visits (at the client's request) to evaluate the terrain and important elements; discuss any problems or challenges to be taken into account.
Periodic presentations: During the project, we conduct periodic presentations to inform design progress and obtain feedback. These presentations allow us to tailor the design to the client's specific needs and ensure that the project is progressing according to the client's expectations.
Email and phone communications: We maintain communication via email and follow-up group chat. This allows us to respond quickly to any questions or concerns from the client and keep them informed on the progress of the project.
Final meetings: At the end of the project, a meeting is held with the client to deliver the contracted products, reviewing any changes or adjustments that may be necessary.
In addition, we deliver all necessary digital support to ensure customer satisfaction.
As part of the clauses of our private service contract, a confidentiality commitment is included, which is signed by both parties, detailing that the information shared by your company, the conditions of the project and the contracting of our services will not be disseminated or shared by any means or by any person of our team, being kept confidentially in our files for a period of 5 years, to be subsequently permanently deleted from our records. This commitment will have the pertinent legal value as a guarantee and security of your company.
In accordance with our professional ethics policy, arrquitectos will not be responsible for, endorse or sign technical documents prepared by outside and/or external professionals or that have not been reviewed or offered by our company under the corresponding contractual conditions.
We regret to inform you that we do not provide this service. However, we can provide you with advice for the acquisition of a property or land for your project, this service will have an investment value proportional to the scope of the assistance. For further information please contact us.
We can only assist you with this service in cases where arrquitectos is in charge of the design, construction or both stages of your project. In addition, you should take into account the following aspects:
The value of the service varies according to the scope and complexity of the project for which the management will be carried out.
The time required to obtain the construction permit depends on the management time of each institution involved.
If one of the stages of the project (design or construction) will not be under the responsibility of our company, the client must provide the contacts or means of communication of the responsible professionals, who will have the previous commitment to provide or comply with the necessary requirements to obtain the license.
Our team will not sign on behalf or substitution of another external professional.
See the question Can I ask arrquitectos to sign plans or sign responsibility for the management of construction licenses?
Yes, each permit has small variants of applications in which the owner or the owner's legal representative must personally process the application.
Each municipal office in Honduras has its own list of requirements, however, you must comply with at least:
- Be full owner of the lot or otherwise have a promise of purchase/sale document where you will be building.
- Be up to date with personal and property municipal taxes.
Possess the set of plans (digital and physical) of the project to be carried out; with signature, seal and stamp of the responsible professionals.
- To have a construction budget.
Our main objective in this service is to prevent errors, reinforce knowledge and guarantee the quality of your work. Arrquitectos will assign the necessary professionals to supervise each stage and process.
- The supervision of the work will be done periodically, it can be monthly, biweekly or weekly; additional visits will be made at important moments of the project, such as foundries, inspections prior to important closures, hidden or covered by earth.
- For each periodic visit a descriptive and photographic report of the expected vs. obtained progress will be made; in addition to recommendations, alerts, approvals, changes and rejections.
- The supervision time will be equal to the construction time or the time requested by the client. See section I can request the service for a short stage of the project.
Yes, it is possible, however, this reduces the ability to identify faults, hidden defects, errors and proper monitoring of the execution.
Arrquitectos will not be responsible for previous or subsequent events that may alter the supervised work, being this modality more a punctual consultancy service than the follow-up that a supervision entails.
Ideally, the service should start prior to the construction stage in order to gather information prior to intervening in the site and analyze the design, budget and planning documentation.
Fluid and constant communication, before and during the work, between client, construction company and supervision team.
Plan and link work execution milestones with supervision.
In order to guarantee an adequate service, arrquitectos reserves the right to provide the supervision service in cases where the work is being executed by labor without the coordination of a professional.
The supervision service assumes the understanding between professional(s) in broad knowledge of the times, processes and responsibilities, as well as in compliance with guarantees. If you do not have a construction company, our firm can provide the construction service.
The visit will last as long as necessary for the correct inspection, the necessary meeting(s) to be held and the time required for the collection of information and photographic survey.
It is ideal that the construction company always has a responsible professional who will accompany the supervisor during the inspection; for this purpose, the appointment will be planned and coordinated so as not to hinder the agendas of the different professionals involved (except for forced or urgent visits, where emergency calls are made).
The client or a representative (with decision-making power) must be present during the visit in those cases where the supervisor or executor deems it appropriate.