![\"Architects-PB\"](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Architects-PB-300x200.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat\u2019s it like for architects who\u2019ve turned their backs on working in a bigger practice and decided to go it alone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best way to find out\u2019s to ask them, we thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, we recently surveyed over a hundred architects who run small practices with up to 10 staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Created by design<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOver half (58%) the architects we surveyed said setting up their own practice was always their goal. And a third of them actually jumped ship just under a year into employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most, though, spent over 3 years seriously thinking about their move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making the average time it took from qualifying to setting up on their own, just under 9 years. (8 years and 8 months, to be precise). When they were still in their thirties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But was it worth it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blueprint for happiness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYes! On the whole, these architects are a contented bunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two thirds (67%) said they\u2019re happy they went solo. And only 8% actually advised against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not just the buzz they get from doing a good job for their clients. There are other reasons they love what they do, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Being their own boss<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Having more control over their work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Being able to choose the jobs they take on<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enjoying a better work\/life balance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Having more flexibility – working where, and when, they want.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hitting a brick wall<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBut there are down sides to running your own practice, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9 out of 10 architects admit there were difficulties when they first started out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Half of them had no finance available at all. Of those who did, 64% relied on their own savings. 13% used their redundancy pay-out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also realised early on, that there\u2019s a lot more to running a successful practice than being a brilliant architect. And weren\u2019t prepared for the amount of time it can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But balancing the books, managing cash-flow and keeping on top of marketing are all vital if you want your start-up to take off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The architects we surveyed had, on average, 1.8 clients when they first set up on their own. Getting more and keeping them, they said, is one of the biggest challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, of course, being self-employed means you don\u2019t have the security of a regular pay-check. Adjusting to that can be tough. Only 8% of the architects we surveyed said the pay\u2019s better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calculate your move<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAsked for their top tips to wannabees, they advised patience. Don\u2019t try to grow your practice faster than is sustainable. Start with small projects, build your confidence, and network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And treat the clients you have now as if they\u2019re your own. Someday they just might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still want to go solo? For more insight into what it\u2019s like to set up your own architecture practice, check out our infographic.<\/p>\n\n\n
Yes! On the whole, these architects are a contented bunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two thirds (67%) said they\u2019re happy they went solo. And only 8% actually advised against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not just the buzz they get from doing a good job for their clients. There are other reasons they love what they do, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Being their own boss<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Having more control over their work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Being able to choose the jobs they take on<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enjoying a better work\/life balance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Having more flexibility – working where, and when, they want.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hitting a brick wall<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
But there are down sides to running your own practice, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9 out of 10 architects admit there were difficulties when they first started out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Half of them had no finance available at all. Of those who did, 64% relied on their own savings. 13% used their redundancy pay-out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also realised early on, that there\u2019s a lot more to running a successful practice than being a brilliant architect. And weren\u2019t prepared for the amount of time it can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But balancing the books, managing cash-flow and keeping on top of marketing are all vital if you want your start-up to take off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The architects we surveyed had, on average, 1.8 clients when they first set up on their own. Getting more and keeping them, they said, is one of the biggest challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, of course, being self-employed means you don\u2019t have the security of a regular pay-check. Adjusting to that can be tough. Only 8% of the architects we surveyed said the pay\u2019s better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calculate your move<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Asked for their top tips to wannabees, they advised patience. Don\u2019t try to grow your practice faster than is sustainable. Start with small projects, build your confidence, and network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And treat the clients you have now as if they\u2019re your own. Someday they just might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still want to go solo? For more insight into what it\u2019s like to set up your own architecture practice, check out our infographic.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PB-architects-infographic.png\")
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