Land Question

[secondcurve]

Hello:

I’ve posted before about a piece of land I’m trying to put a house up on. I have another question I’d appreciate some help on. My lot is sloping and there are a couple of options pertaining to where I should build on the lot. One option is to build into the hillside close to the street and another is to move higher onto the lot where it flattens out. There are pluses and minuses with both approach’s. My question is who is typically best qualified to help evaluate these options?

I’m leaning toward an architect as it seems I need plans and permits before I can get a builder interested in the project. Is evaluating a lot too much to ask of an architect? The higher I go up the hillside the more excavation I incur but the better the land becomes. Who is best able to provide vision and evaluate options?

Another question is how do architects get paid? A percentage of the total project or a flat rate? What type of cost range would a capable architect charge for say a $3,000 square foot house?

Thanks for any thoughts!