How good a career does self employed archvis provide in the UK?

[NigelStutt]

This is one thing I have wondered for a while as Ive thought a lot about going self employed in archvis after having worked as an architect in the UK for many years and not received much in the way of financial security from that employment.

 

I dont want to do architecture as a self employed career really because I don't have the dedication to do it that much, but archvis is something that I find very interesting and I think I could make a good go of it.

 

But how does it pay generally? Is there anyone out there in the UK who is self employed and can advise on how they are finding it? Ive heard you need to be very fast and knock out the projects is that true? Because I cant say I am massively fast at it yet.

 

Do you need to do it every hour of your day and night to make a living?

 

Is there plenty of work around or is it getting difficult because of Brexit?

 

Just really looking for some honest truths about how its like to work in archvis and can you make a decent career out of it (ie £35k per annum +) and what does it take to be successful in the career as a self employed archvis artist in the north of England.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

[Sketchrender]

Nigel

 

I'm in Dublin, Ireland.

 

I am self employed now for 7 years. I had been working for a large company but with the recession in Ireland the construction business was hit very hard, and the company I worked for, went under.

So I was forced into it really. That was a bad year, to say the least, lost my job, and statuary redundancy, and my lovely wife passed away.

So I had a 4 year old son, and no job, and the banks, freeze all your joint accounts when your wife or husband dies until probate is handled.

My case 2 years, as my wife was Italian.

Why am I telling you this because I had no choice but to pick myself up, and get working to bring in some money, mortgage and family, and lots of offers of financial aid from family, but your a grown man , stand on your own two feet.

 

So In short it is was difficult, but it suited me.

I could work the hours I need to work, and more. I did work all day, and then at night when my son went to sleep, which is never an easy job.

I worked night and it took a while to get stable.

It is not easy, as a self employed person, you are the director, manager, marketing , accountant, and financial manager.

Your dealing with good clients and bad ones.

Some pay straight away, others don't, chasing un-payed invoices is a big time wasting exercise.

I never switch off, as you do all the jobs that come in.

The more you do the better you get the faster you get.

 

I'm not rich, but I have a house now, and a new life, and it suites me.

Saying that there are no company over here taking on full time 3D people.

Revit modelers yes, Viz people purely for Viz, no.

 

So it's not easy. some days I would give my right arm to be in a big architectural company working with health and pension contributions, and the security of a bank balance every month. Not so in the SE world.

 

Some people want to run their own business and are quite successful at it.

Health and happiness comes first for me , not money.

 

The very best of luck with your decision.

 

Phil

[CliveG]

That was a bad year, to say the least.....

 

Shit you're not wrong.... Hats off to you Philip !

[notamondayfan]

I dont want to do architecture as a self employed career really because I don't have the dedication to do it that much, but archvis is something that I find very interesting and I think I could make a good go of it.

What experience do you have in arch vis? Care to share?

 

But how does it pay generally? Is there anyone out there in the UK who is self employed and can advise on how they are finding it? Ive heard you need to be very fast and knock out the projects is that true? Because I cant say I am massively fast at it yet.

Speed is important (isn't it always), but I find being reliable and trustworthy trumps speed. Of course the quality of you work needs to be top to ask for longer deadlines, but I find 95% of the time, a client doesn't ask for it tomorrow. If they do I either work my ass off, and charge accordingly, or just pass on the job.

Pay also varies a lot, and depends on what your worth is. The more specialised you are, the more your daily rate generally is. ie someone who specialises in fluid simulations might charge £600+ a day, but work will be less frequent. Someone knocking out low quality visuals might only ask for £100 a day. Also if you freelance for studios, you'll be expected to hit the ground running, but again you can adjust your day rate accordingly depending on the tasks and studio.

 

Do you need to do it every hour of your day and night to make a living?

Work smarter instead of harder. If you find yourself working 12+hours every day, you'll either be well off, close to burn out, or both. Of course there are times we pull 20 hours, but for me this is the exception, not the norm.

 

Is there plenty of work around or is it getting difficult because of Brexit?

Don't look for excuses, it's easy to blame things like Brexit. Instead perhaps use the value of the pound to be more attractive to overseas clients.

 

Anyway, good luck with it all!

Dean