Modern architecture provides exciting opportunities. For example, architects can use technological advances to develop a business startup, making their profession more exciting and fulfilling.

All good businesses provide solutions to problems that their customers have. As technology advances, architects are uniquely positioned to offer solutions in significant areas, such as global climate problems and housing shortfalls.

How to Start an Architecture Business

Before starting a unique architecture business, ensure everything is in place. Develop a business plan, register your business name, and protect yourself and your startup from liability issues.

It’s easy to get professional liability coverage for architects and engineers that offer your start-up a wide range of protection, from business mistakes to accusations of negligence.

Your learning curve will be sharp when you start, and liability insurance will protect you and your business from mistakes, even when they aren’t your fault.

Bundle your liability policy with other insurance policies to save even more. You can get a tailored policy package that protects all aspects of your consulting business.

Getting a policy is easy to do online. You can make updates, file claims, and get insurance certificates without making a phone call.

If you’re an architect looking for some ideas to start a business and position yourself as a leader in your industry, consider one of these ten startup ideas.

1. Architecture Consultant

If you are an architect with several years of experience, consulting might be the next best step for you to take.

Your wealth of knowledge and experience will be helpful to many companies. You can start by offering your services as a side hustle to your 9-to-5 job and then scale as you grow.

2. Building Designer

Architects with an entrepreneurial spirit can start independently after a few years. However, getting some experience is best before you begin designing independently.

If you’re planning on moving to a small town without many architectural firms, do market research to see if there is a demand. For example, many businesses have to use services from nearby cities, and if the town you’re moving to is growing, there could be a small building design business market.

3. Architectural Design Blogger

Developing a blog takes time, but if you have the proper know-how and connections, you can start an architecture blog. Once you attract enough followers, you can earn money from your blog through affiliate marketing, selling ad space, and creating a directory of services.

4. 3D Modeling Engineer

Modern architects use 3D modeling to create a realistic representation of a building.

If you are good at 3D modeling, your services are in demand. 3D modeling can reduce the price of construction by finding problems before construction begins on a building.

5. Property Developer

Property development includes a lot of different jobs, but all of it involves purchasing land and developing it to meet a specific need.

Architects as property developers are apt to see possibilities and solutions that others won’t notice. Therefore, it can be frustrating for them in the role of an architect to have very little input in the finished product.

Architects, as property developers, can own, design, and then build it themselves. Whether a residential or commercial project, purchasing and developing a property can be a profitable startup.

Architects who are property developers also work on warehouses, industrial centers, and office buildings.

6. Architect Software Designer

There have been many software and computer-assisted drafting developments in the past decade. However, there are still great ideas out there, so don’t worry that the market is saturated if you think you have one.

If you have a great software idea, you can create it with the help of a software engineer. However, even if you have experience with software development, you might still want to bring another person in to help you fine-tune it.

You can also join a software development team as a consulting architect.

7. Kitchen Designer

Designing kitchens is a great niche opportunity that combines architecture and interior design.

Kitchen remodeling is a big business, with almost $50 billion spent on residential kitchen remodels in 2017. Homeowners remodel over 10 million kitchens annually.

Kitchen remodeling has an excellent return on investment, and people are willing to spend more to make more when they sell their homes.

But it isn’t just residential buildings that need kitchens. Restaurants, assisted-living communities, and many government facilities also need kitchens. So if you can position your startup kitchen design business well, you will have many potential clients.

8. Landscape Architect

You can specialize in landscape architecture and create a business startup that services people building homes, offices, government buildings, and parks.

Landscape design is a  fascinating area of architecture, especially for people who love plants and outdoor spaces.

You can even find a niche as a landscaping architect, such as outdoor living space design or roadside berms.

9. Architecture Author

For those architects who are writers, becoming an author that specializes in architecture and design is a great idea.

There are numerous topics in architecture and design, and these days, if you are an inspired author, you can even self-publish. If you have something to say that people need to hear, becoming an author could be very profitable.

10. Green Architectural Designer

Zero emissions housing and retrofitting buildings for solar energy systems are just two possibilities for a green architectural designer.

Start an architecture design business, then name and brand it as an eco-friendly company. Customers will be fighting to get in line to use your services.

If climate solutions are a passion for you, being a green architect designer is a clear path.