How Do I Become a Contributing Writer?
If you have not previously written for Buildipedia and would like to become a contributing writer, submit a writing sample of a published article (a link to your article will suffice) and any supplementary (resume, website link, etc.) information that you would like considered. Submissions should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please provide your contact information as well as the article you have chosen from the Assignment Desk. You may also pitch an original story idea of your own. Once your submission has been reviewed, a member of our editorial team will contact you.
Don’t forget to join the Buildipedia.com Newsroom -- keep up to date on editorial announcements, be first to hear about new assignments, and help shape future content.
Assignment Desk: How Does the Process Work?
- Choose an article from the Assignment Desk and send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please provide your contact information, a brief bio (educational background and any AEC credentials), and a headshot to accompany your bio for first time contributing writers, as well as the title of the article you wish to write.
- After your email has been received, you will be contacted by a member of the editorial team to discuss the article's scope and answer any questions you may have. If we approve the assignment, we will email you a blanket independent contractor/contributing writer's agreement.
- Once you have signed and returned the independent contractor/contributing writer's agreement, complete all research/production and compose the article.
- Submit your completed article and all accompanying assets (photographs, PDFs, DWGs, etc.) via email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
on or before the established deadline. Review the article types section below for word count, sources, and asset requirements. Submission Requirements Include:
- Article: Attached as a word document (with a .doc extension).
- Photographs: If submitting photographs other than your own, you must secure publishing permissions. Proper credit (photographer's name or initials) must be provided for all submitted photographs. Maximum image size is 1280 x 1024.
- If you have additional assets that exceed email limits let us know and we will make the appropriate arrangements.
- After you submit your article and all required assets, a staff review and editing process begins. Buildipedia reserves the right to request editorial changes to the article as necessary. We will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement with the contributing writer on changes but we reserve the right to make final editorial decisions.
- Once the article is published the contributing writer will receive payment within 30 days.
- A kill fee of $25.00 will be paid to the contributing writer if the article varies in focus or scope significantly from the article as originally discussed.
Pitch Original Content
If you are not interested in any of the articles from the Assignment Desk, pitch your own. Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include the following at a minimum:
- Proposed scope
- Sources you plan on reaching out to (if applicable)
- Article type
The more information you can provide, the smoother this process will move along. You will be contacted by a member of the editorial team to discuss your proposed article and answer any questions you may have. If we approve the assignment, we will email you a blanket independent contractor/contributing writer's agreement.
Article Types, Requirements, and Rates
Blog: 250 Words Min.
Examples: When Power Tools Attack: Man Shocked by Table Saw, Futuristic Receptacle, Building in the Midwest: Where Do We Go From Here
- Blogs are meant to be timely articles on current events or op-ed essays that address the audience of a specific channel (e.g., the At Home blog speaks to DIY'ers and other home improvement fans). For this reason, blogs do not appear on the assignment desk. Blogs are approved on an individual basis. Pitch an idea to Managing Editor for approval.
- Rate: $25.00
- Sources: Not required
- Photographs: One leading image is required
Featurette: 500 Words Min.
Examples: Daniel Libeskind’s Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge, House of Cards: Louisville Downtown Arena, At Home Maintenance Tips, The Aesthetic of Rust: Weathering Steel
- Includes product reviews, how-to articles, photo essays, etc.
- Rate: $100.00
- Sources: Although not required, it is preferred that you have at least one source.
- Photographs: One leading image is required unless you are submitting a photo essay (for example, Daniel Libeskind’s Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge), in which additional photographs (quantity will vary – needs to clearly convey topic) are required.
- Contributing writer to provide accompanying photographs, drawings, PDFs, video, etc. as made available by sources.
Feature: 750 Words Min.
Examples: Infrastructure Series, Light Gauge Metal Stud Framing, Demolition Best Practices, Living Green in Outdoor Spaces
- Includes more in-depth articles describing a process, a building, a construction material or method, etc.
- Rate: $250.00
- Sources: Separate interviews with two sources (person involved with project, SME, etc.) are required at a minimum.
- Photographs: One leading image plus additional photographs (quantity will vary – needs to clearly convey topic) are required.
- Contributing writer to provide accompanying photographs, drawings, PDFs, video, etc. as made available by sources.
Case Study: 1,000 Words Min.
Examples: Vancouver Convention Centre Case Study, Grange Insurance Audubon Center Case Study, Elding Oscarson’s Landskrona Townhouse
- Includes building case studies that cover multiple design features and vendors as well as an article covering one building that includes multiple assets.
- Rate: $500.00
- Sources: Separate interviews with two sources (person involved with project, SME, etc) are required at a minimum.
- Photographs, Drawings, PDFs, and Video: Quantity will vary – needs to clearly convey topic.
- Contributing writer to provide accompanying photographs, drawings, PDFs, video, etc. as made available by sources.
