Why Outsource Your Architectural Design and Drafting Needs: 5 Key Reasons

While the world of architecture and construction seems firmly grounded in the physical realm of bricks and mortar, it’s not shielded from the seismic shifts brought about by digital technology.

The sight of towering cranes against city skylines and the rumble of heavy machinery on building sites might lead some to believe that the industry will forever remain unchanged. Yet, just like any other field, the architecture and construction sectors aren’t immune to the challenges and disruptions of the digital age.

Amidst the growing demand for technological expertise, faster turnaround times, tighter budgets, and better output, business owners who outsource architects and designers from reputable providers are no longer finding it difficult to keep up with the times.

If you also wish to boost your productivity and capitalize on the growth opportunities in this booming sector, read on to learn why outsourcing your architectural design and drafting needs might be the right choice for your business.

5 Powerful Reasons to Outsource Architectural Services

KBV Research projects that by 2027, the global architectural services market size will reach a whopping $470 billion.

This is primarily due to swift urbanization taking place in several developed and emerging countries, which, in turn, prompted the need for continuous upgrades in architectural services and building designs across all sectors, be it commercial, residential or public.

Those upgrades encompass incorporating the latest tools and software, hiring skilled technicians and designers and staying on top of changing industry regulations. This all translates to immense and continuous overhead costs, which can burden small and medium-sized businesses.

Here, outsourcing architectural services from a third-party vendor could benefit your business in numerous ways.

1. Access to Talented Architects and Designers

The great thing about talent is that it knows no borders. Nowadays, many offshore outsourcing firms are home to a vast pool of experienced architects and designers with the same qualifications and technical capabilities as their local counterparts. They can fill in any niche or expertise gap within your team, including:

• Urban Designers
• Interior Architect
• Research Architect
• Industrial Architect
• Housing Architect
• Commercial Architect
• Landscape Architect
• Restoration Architect
• Residential Architect

Third-party partners can also provide you with varying levels of expertise, from entry-level to mid-level or even supervisory roles, to suit both your budgetary limits and project needs. Those architects and designers can then work with your in-house teams to perform an array of tasks, such as:

• Developing concepts for structures and interiors
• Reviewing and designing architectural and engineering plans
• Managing and supervising construction projects, including site meetings and quality examinations
• Performing inspections, evaluating option sites, and conducting feasibility analyses necessary for accurate project implementation
• Communicating with clients, contractors and material suppliers

Finally, they’re adept at using modern architecture tools and software like Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, Chief Architect, Rhinoceros and more.

2. Cost Savings

Finding exceptional talent at a reasonable rate can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

With all the time you’ll spend searching for a qualified candidate, the resources you’ll have to divert to the onboarding and training process, not to mention the salaries and benefits you’ll eventually have to pay out, you could be staring at quite a hefty bill. All this, and there’s still no guarantee that the candidate you’ll hire would be a good fit for your team.

In outsourcing architecture services offshore, on the other hand, you’ll have the flexibility to build entire teams that fit your candidate profile and company culture at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house personnel. You can also retain their service for as long or as short a period as your project needs.

Some outsourcing firms even provide an outsourcing cost calculator to help you get a clearer picture of the financial benefits before committing to anything.

3. Efficient Communication and Collaboration

When business owners contemplate outsourcing to offshore providers, a few questions regarding communication spring into their minds: “What about the language and cultural barrier? Can I effectively collaborate with my team if they operate in a different time zone?”

These are all valid concerns, but the good news is that most offshore outsourcing providers employ professionals who are proficient in English. For example, outsourcing firms in countries like the Philippines and India boast highly skilled professionals with excellent written and spoken English and a deep understanding of the cultural nuances of working with global businesses.

Additionally, with the many tools available for remote collaboration, communication has never been easier. Your outsourced teams can easily connect with their in-house peers through messaging, chat and video conferencing to communicate both in real-time and asynchronously, ensuring no delay in project deadlines and delivery.

4. Compliance with International Standards

Architecture and construction are two of the most heavily regulated industries. This is because a single misstep in the design process or a haphazard structural plan could set a series of devastating consequences in motion. Those can include safety hazards like injuries or accidents, an increased risk of lawsuits and penalties, reputational damage and much more.

So, understandably, many firms are hesitant to leave their projects to someone who might not be aware of their local regulations and safety standards when enlisting the help of a third-party provider.

The truth is that most reliable offshore outsource partners work with international clientele regularly and are well-versed in international construction standards.

Besides drafting and designing plans according to your local building codes, insurance and bonding requirements, they can also provide regular reviews of project sites to ensure compliance with zoning, environmental and safety regulations and more.

5. Flexible Staffing

The ability to size up or down your team as needed is a major advantage of outsourcing architectural services. When peak workloads threaten to overwhelm your in-house teams, you can bring in additional staff to handle the strain while keeping your overhead costs in check.

At the same time, when demand decreases during quieter months, you can scale down your teams without worrying about redundancies or layoffs.

Time to Outsource Architectural Services

Architectural outsourcing solutions emerged as a dynamic response to a changing business landscape that constantly seeks agility, fresh ideas and a leaner approach to operations.

And as you can see, these services come with a wealth of benefits that can positively impact your bottom line. So if there ever was a time to outsource your architectural design and drafting needs, that would be now.