Major local architecture firms say Romanian architects are becoming increasingly more expensive, surpassing the rates of those in neighbouring states, such as the Czech Republic. The explanation lies in the lack of expertise available on the market.
"I can say from experience that architects in Romania are more expensive than those in the Czech Republic, or, if you will, they are definitely not cheaper than those in the Czech Republic," Anthony Willats, manager of the Romanian office of Chapman Taylor, one of the largest British architecture firms on the retail segment, told ZF.
Having entered the Romanian market in July last year through the Baneasa project, the UK firm, which also has an office in the Czech Republic, has budgeted total business worth around 7 million euros for its first year. The figure represents a significant increase (of 4-5 million euros) against initial estimates made when the firm's local office was launched. In terms of the value of contracts signed, reaching this target could turn the British company, just one year after its entrance, into the largest architecture firm in Romania, outranking firms like Westfourth and Proiect Bucuresti.
Foreign developers have also confirmed the high cost of local architecture firms. "Architecture services in Romania are slightly more expensive than in the Czech Republic and in Israel.
The main reason for this is the lack of architects on the market, which generates increasingly high salaries," Reuven Havar, CEO of real estate developer Africa-Israel for Romania, which announced overall investments worth around 1 billion euros over the next 3-4 years, told ZF.
Ever since its entry on the local market, by opening an office in Bucharest, Chapman Taylor announced it would have to conduct an extensive headhunting campaign in order to create a team. The British firm, which has 11 offices throughout Europe, currently employs 11 people in its Romanian office and continues to search for architects.
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