There’s a lot of planning that goes into building a new home. But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who to hire as your architect. It’s important to find someone you trust, who understands your vision and who will stay with you through the entire process.
There are more than 200,000 architects in the US alone, so how do you go about finding the right architect for your home?
Here are a few tips to help you find the right architect for your home.
1. Interview the architect
When looking for a trustworthy architect, it’s important to find one who understands your vision and will stay with you throughout the process. Make sure to write your questions in advance.
The first thing you should do when interviewing an architect is to ask about their credentials. Start by asking what qualifications the person has accomplished. What has been their expertise in the field of architecture or building design?
Other concerns to address during this interview is gauging the architect’s interest in your project. Have they done similar projects before? An architect who is excited to work on your project will deliver the best design.
Answering these questions can help you decide if they would be suitable as your trusted partner on your next project.
2. Check out their portfolio of past projects
When looking for a reputable architect, it’s important to find someone who can both understand your vision and execute it. You can check if they tick both boxes by checking out their portfolio of past projects. If there’s anything in particular that catches your interest then this may be an indication of good design work coming from them as well.
3. Ask for references
You should always ask for references from previous clients who have worked with the architect before. This will help ensure that you are working with someone reliable and qualified in your search process, as well as give an idea if their work has satisfied other people just like yourself.
4. Make sure to get a list of every step of the process
When you’re looking for a reputable architect, it’s important to have every detail of the project laid out in advance. That way no stone is left unturned and there are no surprises during construction.
Makes sense right? This includes pricing with an estimate on when they’ll be done too — something most people don’t think about until after their house has been built or remodeled by somebody else and it looks entirely different from what was desired originally.
As a rule of thumb, you should make sure to get a list of every step in your process including how much it will cost and when they can expect their project finished.
5. Get an estimate on how long each stage will take
In order to find the right architect, you need some information about their services. When getting estimates from an architecture or design and build firm it’s important that you know how long each stage will take so there are no surprises along the journey.
Architects have the potential to be some of our most expensive contractors. Make sure that you are clear with what you want from the initial meeting through the design phase.
It’s also important to be upfront about your budget so that they can review the scope of the project, then plan with your budget in mind.
6. Find out if there is anything specific you should do or include in your design plans before meeting with them
When searching for the right architect, it’s important to find out if there are any specific factors you should take into consideration before meeting with them.
There are many architects who are excellent at designing a home but completely lacking in other areas like cost control or timeline management- which will be a problem for you both. So make sure not only do they have your vision down pat but also know how much their services will set you back and whether those fees include everything needed.
A remodel or renovation can be complicated without the proper plan. Their expertise in the layout of a space, the design and artistry of your building will save you time and money in the end. They create the detailed plans that ensure a smooth construction process, limiting or eliminating the typical issues that come with any building project.
So there’s no question that finding the right architect is a critical part of building or renovating your home. Follow the tips above to gain a better idea of how to find the right architect for your next building project.