The phrase “it’s just a small project” has probably caused more confusion, blown more budgets, and strained more relationships than we’d care to admit. It sounds harmless, maybe even charming – the architectural equivalent of a quick favor. But that phrase carries weight. Because behind every modest addition, bathroom remodel, or garage conversion is the same professional rigor we apply to larger work … just without the benefit of scale. Whether it’s fees that don’t shrink as expected, construction costs that defy logic, or clients caught off guard by the number of decisions they’ll need to make, these projects demand clarity, patience, and experience. So today, we’re talking about what architects need to communicate, anticipate, and prepare for when the work is small but the expectations are not. Welcome to Episode 180: Size Doesn’t Matter.

 [Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] 

Podcast: Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | TuneIn

Architectural Fees Don’t Scale jump to 3:50

One of the most misunderstood aspects of residential design is how architectural fees are determined. Many clients assume that a smaller project should result in a proportionally smaller fee. But architectural fees don’t scale like that. A 400-square-foot addition still requires site measurements, code research, zoning analysis, (possibly) consultant coordination, and detailed documentation. Whether the project is 400 or 4,000 square feet, many of the baseline efforts remain the same. You still need floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, building sections, wall sections, electrical layouts, and coordination with structural engineers or energy consultants. And while the documentation may be shorter, the care and precision required to make a small project work can sometimes take even more time. For example, a kitchen renovation might involve more detail and coordination per square foot than an entire house.

The AIA has published guidance on fee structures in the “Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice,” (this is a book that I highly recommend) which notes that project complexity and risk should be used to help determine compensation, not just size. As architects, we must be clear in helping clients understand that fees represent time and expertise, not floor area. If you charge a fixed fee or percentage of construction cost, be sure to explain what that covers and what it doesn’t. Helping clients see the value in pre-design services, permitting assistance, and construction observation can prevent misunderstandings later. Saving the best for last, just because it’s a small project doesn’t mean the liability is small. Professional risk remains, which means the time spent to get it right matters, regardless of scale.

the post that I referenced in our discussions was this one …*the penalty of drawing too much –  Excessive or Essential?

The Entire Timeline jump to 9:43

Clients often think the timeline for a small project will be quick. And to be fair, the design phase might be shorter than that of a ground-up custom home. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Permitting can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the jurisdiction. In some cities, small additions are routed through full plan review just like new homes. And once the project is permitted, the construction timeline is subject to the availability of contractors and materials, site conditions, and even weather. It’s our responsibility to help clients understand the full arc of the process.

According to a 2023 survey from Houzz, the average design-to-completion timeline for a kitchen remodel is around 8-12 months, even when the construction itself only takes 2-3. Why the gap? Because there are lags built into the process. Design review boards, HOA approvals, contractor bidding windows, and permit review times all add up. When you add in backorders on appliances or materials, things can shift quickly. That’s why it’s so important to map out the process at the beginning and set realistic milestones. Being transparent about what’s in your control and what isn’t will help keep trust intact when things inevitably shift. Having a clear design schedule, a list of deliverables, and contingency plans for delays is part of being a professional. And the smaller the project, the more noticeable even short delays can be.

Finding the Right Contractor is Hard jump to 14:36

For small residential projects, contractor selection isn’t just about qualifications — it’s about willingness. Many reputable general contractors are booked with larger, more profitable jobs and simply won’t entertain small additions or renovations. Others might agree to the work but assign it to their most junior staff, resulting in delays, poor communication, or inconsistent execution. As an architect, you often find yourself acting as a matchmaker, helping the client find someone who is both capable and available. But it’s not always easy.

In many cases, the best choice is a smaller GC who specializes in remodels or residential work. These contractors understand the quirks of working in occupied homes, phasing construction, and dealing with tight site conditions.   But availability is limited, and their schedules can be unpredictable. Some clients consider acting as their own GC, which can work in rare cases, but often results in schedule overruns and missed coordination. According to the National Association of Home Builders, over 70% of remodeling jobs in 2022 were handled by contractors who also reported being overbooked for more than 3 months at a time. That means the contractor search should begin early in the process, not after the drawings are complete.

Make sure you and your client have the same definition of “qualified.” You’re not just looking for someone who can build; you’re looking for someone who can communicate, coordinate, and collaborate. It’s also a good idea to review prior projects and talk to past clients. Help your client understand that the relationship with the contractor is as important as the specs on the plans — maybe even more so. After all, they’ll be living with the results.

Constructions Costs Are Not Linear jump to 20:37

It’s one of the first hurdles in almost every small residential project: explaining why a seemingly simple renovation costs so much. Homeowners often have a mental equation that says “less space = less money.” but in reality, costs per square foot often go up as projects get smaller. That’s because certain trades are still required regardless of scale, and the overhead doesn’t vanish just because there are fewer square feet to the project.

Let’s take a look at kitchens and bathrooms as an example. These are among the most expensive spaces to build because they require plumbing, electrical, ventilation, millwork, tile, and appliances or fixtures. According to the Journal of Light Construction’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange kitchen remodel in the U.S. averages over $79,000. That’s not a custom kitchen, and that’s not a big kitchen. The cost per square foot for an upscale bath room (that is not the main bathroom) can easily exceed that of a new living room or bedroom addition, averaging just below $80,000. Clients need to know this before they get too far into the wish list phase.

We also have to educate clients on hidden costs: mobilization, demolition, temporary protection, permit fees, utility upgrades, and finish upgrades. When a contractor is asked to come in for a small job, their fixed costs don’t change much — and that means those costs get distributed over fewer square feet. As the architect, it’s important to tie cost discussions back to decisions: complexity, quality of finishes, number of trades involved, and construction logistics all impact the final budget. Help your client align their expectations with reality, and be prepared to guide them through prioritization if scope and budget don’t match. Cost estimating tools, even rough ones, can be valuable here. A good faith effort at outlining potential costs early in the process often leads to smoother approvals and fewer surprises later.

Squeezed Out by Larger Projects jump to 25:45

One of the hardest things to explain without sounding dismissive is that small projects don’t always get the same attention as large ones – from either the architect or the contractor. It’s not because we don’t care. It’s because all offices, regardless of size, operate on a limited pool of time and resources. When you have a 5,000-square-foot custom home under construction and a 500-square-foot porch addition in design, you’re naturally going to have to triage your attention. Same goes for most general contractors – although I highly doubt that the same contractor that would build a 5k new home would even look at a porch addition.

This isn’t a justification for dropping the ball – far from it. It’s a prompt to plan ahead. You need to be honest with your client about what your involvement will look like week-to-week. Can you review shop drawings within 48 hours? Are you attending site meetings? Is someone else in your office taking the lead? These aren’t just internal staffing decisions; they’re part of the client experience. Likewise, make sure the builder isn’t stretched too thin. If they’re juggling five job sites and only showing up for an hour a day, progress will crawl.

It helps to set expectations with a communications plan. Weekly email updates, pre-scheduled check-ins, and clearly defined response timelines can reduce client anxiety and keep everyone aligned. If the project requires a sprint of focus to meet a milestone, carve out the time and communicate that commitment. When you’re transparent about how resources are allocated, clients are usually more understanding and you can avoid the frustration of unspoken assumptions and unmet expectations.

Doing More with Less of Everything jump to 33:03

There’s a saying that limitations breed creativity, and nowhere is that m ore true than in small residential projects. When you’re designing an 800-square-foot addition or a backyard ADU, every inch has to work hard. The circulation, natural light, storage, and visual cohesion all have to be solved – but with a fraction of the square footage and a limited construction budget. It takes real skill to make those spaces feel effortless, and that’s where thoughtful design really shines.

The reality is, designing small often takes more time per square foot than designing large and the margin for error is slimmer. You don’t have the luxury of extra space to conceal mechanical chases or to fudge a few inches in a hallway. Everything has to be intentional. That means tighter detailing, more thorough coordination, and usually a deeper level of involvement from the architect during construction. While embracing the concept that quality matters more than quantity, this is achieved through a justifiably more rigorous design process.

You also have to guide the client toward prioritization. When space is limited, not every wish list item will fit, and compromises will be necessary. This is where your role as architect (and counselor) becomes especially valuable. Helping clients understand why something can’t work, and offering smart alternatives, builds trust and demonstrates value, and when you nail it, the payoff is huge. Small, well-designed projects often become the most beloved spaces in a home. They’re intimate, tailored to the users, and memorable. These spaces prove that design is not about scale, but about impact.

Decision Fatigue jump to 36:26

A small project may seem simple on paper, but in reality, it comes with a surprising number of decisions. Homeowners often start with a clear vision: “We want a new bathroom,” or “We need more storage.” What they don’t realize is how many granular choices that vision entails — faucet styles, tile grout color, cabinet pulls, light fixture placement, outlet locations, trim details, paint finish, and on and on. Multiply that across several spaces, and you can quickly overwhelm even the most enthusiastic client. This phenomenon is known as “decision fatigue,” and it’s well documented in both design and psychology fields. The more decisions someone is asked to make in a short period of time, the more likely they are to delay, second-guess, or default to safe (and often booooring) choices. That’s not ideal when your goal is a well-considered, cohesive design. As the architect, it’s your job to structure the process in a way that reduces stress and guides clients toward good decisions.

One useful strategy that has worked well for me is to batch decisions. Rather than asking the client to pick every element room-by-room, present cohesive finish palettes or curated fixture options. Give them choices — but not too many choices. Another helpful tactic is to front-load the design process with a clear understanding of their preferences and priorities. Mood boards, precedent images, and even simple “yes/no” visual surveys can help narrow the field before diving into specs.

Most importantly, pace the process. Small projects often move quickly, and clients can feel ambushed if too many decisions are thrown at them all at once. A thoughtful, phased selection process makes the project feel manageable and keeps enthusiasm high. And when clients feel confident in their choices, the end result always looks – and functions – better.

Drawings Still Matter jump to 40:44

There’s a dangerous misconception that small projects can be done with a few scribbles . “It’s just a bathroom update” or “It’s only a garage conversion” are phrases that can tempt both clients and architects to cut corners on documentation. But the truth is, the smaller the project, the less room there is for error — and that means the drawings have to be tighter, not looser.

Even a modest project can involve four or five trades, limited site access, and existing conditions that are anything but straightforward. If you haven’t called out a critical elevation, a finish transition, or the direction of a door swing, someone on site is going to make that decision for you — and it might not be the one you would have made. In residential work, those small discrepancies can feel huge. A misplaced sconce or an awkward vanity installation can compromise the whole feel of a space.

Construction drawings are communication tools. They tell the builder what to build, how to build it, and what level of quality is expected. Even if the jurisdiction doesn’t require a full drawing set for permit, the contractor still needs information to price and execute the work properly. The more ambiguity there is, the more time gets wasted with RFIs, change orders, and on-the-fly decisions that add cost and frustration.

Consider the drawings part of your service — not just a deliverable. And remind your clients that thorough documentation is actually one of the best ways to control costs. When expectations are clearly documented up front, there’s less room for assumptions, and fewer chances for things to go sideways in the field. The drawings don’t have to be voluminous — but they do need to be precise.

Project Phasing jump to 44:36

Not every client is ready to do everything at once – and that’s perfectly okay. Budget constraints, time limitations, or life circumstances often require projects to be broken into phases. Rather than viewing this as a compromise, architects should embrace phasing as a strategic design opportunity. A well-phased plan allows homeowners to achieve their long-term goals while spreading out the cost and disruption over time.

The key is in the planning. If you’re designing a new primary suite now, but the client eventually wants to renovate the kitchen and living areas, your current work should anticipate that future expansion. That might mean sizing the mechanical system appropriately, locating plumbing in a way that won’t need to be rerouted, or even roughing in a structural header now that will save money later. These moves aren’t always glamorous, but they demonstrate foresight – and that builds long-term client loyalty.

It’s also a chance to educate your clients about infrastructure. Often, the least exciting parts of a project – like panel upgrades, HVAC changes, or water service adjustments – are the ones with the biggest long-term impact. By integrating these into the early phases, you can prevent costly rework down the line … and clients appreciate it when you help them avoid future surprises.

There’s also an emotional aspect to phasing. Small wins help build confidence. When a client sees the impact of Phase 1, they’re more likely to trust you with the next steps. Phasing allows for design refinement, budget reassessment, and schedule flexibility – all of which are valuable in residential work. Just make sure the path forward is clearly documented. A “master plan” or concept sketch for future work can be a powerful tool, even if it’s not fully detailed yet.

Consultants jump to 51:30

Many homeowners assume that hiring an architect is a one-stop shop. But even on small residential projects, additional consultants are often necessary. Structural engineers are the most common – especially when removing walls, altering rooflines, or adding new openings. But depending on the project, you might also need an energy consultant, MEP designer, landscape architect, or even a surveyor.

These added layers can surprise clients, especially when they show up as extra fees or extended timelines. That’s why it’s critical to bring up consultant needs early in the process. Help your client understand why these professionals are necessary — not just for code compliance, but for safety, performance, and constructability. If your project is in California, for instance, Title 24 energy compliance is non-negotiable. In Texas, soil reports may be required for foundation design. Every region has its quirks, and part of your job is knowing when and where to bring in extra expertise.

When possible, work with consultants you know and trust. Familiar teams communicate better, and that usually leads to smoother coordination and fewer surprises in the field. Be transparent about the division of responsibilities: who is hiring the consultant, who is managing them, and how their work gets integrated into the drawings. And keep an eye on schedule alignment. A late structural review can bottleneck your permit submission, even if everything else is ready.

Ultimately, the presence of consultants doesn’t complicate the project – it strengthens it. It allows you to stay in your lane while ensuring the project is well-supported from all sides. And it signals to your client that this isn’t just a sketch on paper – it’s a built environment that has to meet real-world demands. That level of care is what separates design professionals from design dabblers.

Hypothetical jump to 54:46

Today’s question was assisted with the online research – a necessity … but working through the parameters and rules was where all the action lies.

If you could receive $5,000,000 instantly, but if someone within 200 yards of you says a specific word – and you get to choose the word – you immediately explode. Would you accept this $5M and what would your word be?

The word I choose was “Zugzwang.” – definition

Yes, it’s a real word — borrowed from German but used among high-level chess players. It refers to a position where any move a player makes will worsen their position. Even among chess players, it’s rarely spoken out loud. Among the general population? Virtually never. The book I mentioned that generated today’s question is The Immortal Game of Chess: A History of Chess by David Shenk.

The word Andrew choose was “Xylopolist.” – definition which depending on what part of the country you are in, your odds a extremely good.

Ep 180: Size Doesn’t Matter

Small projects aren’t a warm-up for bigger things. They are the thing. They require just as much thought, coordination, and care – sometimes more – and they often come with fewer resources and less margin for error. If you’ve ever taken on one thinking it would be quick and easy, only to find yourself neck-deep in product selections and last-minute framing questions, you’re not alone. These projects teach us how to communicate clearly, solve problems elegantly, and set boundaries without losing trust. And when they go well, they’re some of the most rewarding work we get to do. So whether you’ve done fifty of them or you’re about to take on your first, keep these lessons in mind – and don’t let the word “small” fool you.

Cheers,