How to Find the Right Architect
Here’s how to find a great architect for your new build or renovation – and what to ask at the first meeting
Dylan Chappell
19 November 2021
Houzz Contributor and California Architect, Dylan Chappell is known for his sustainable and green approach to projects. Dylan is a South Coast native and serves on the Architectural Review Board for the County of Santa Barbara. (http://dylanchappell.com/)
Houzz Contributor and California Architect, Dylan Chappell is known for his sustainable... More
Few things are more exciting than building a new home or watching your old one change before your eyes. And the person who will affect the outcome of your project the most is usually the architect. His or her plan will dictate the ultimate appearance and function of the home, as well as the financial costs and emotional toll involved in its construction.
The client-architect relationship is very personal, involving discussions of your habits, your hobbies, your tastes, and even your relationships. So you want the choice to be right. The suggestions that follow will help you analyse the personality, design strategy and communication skills of your candidates. Ultimately, you want to find the architect who’s right for your situation, for your budget and for you.
The client-architect relationship is very personal, involving discussions of your habits, your hobbies, your tastes, and even your relationships. So you want the choice to be right. The suggestions that follow will help you analyse the personality, design strategy and communication skills of your candidates. Ultimately, you want to find the architect who’s right for your situation, for your budget and for you.
Referrals
As many professionals do, architects get much of their business through word of mouth. Ask family, friends and professional colleagues for referrals. Is there a particular home you admire? A knock on the door could yield an introduction to your future architect.
Find one on Houzz
Houzz is not only one of the most practical and efficient ways to find design ideas for your next project, it’s also a good way to find an architect. You can search professionals by location, read reviews from past clients and browse through photos of work. The fact that you’re reading this story makes me think this might be old news, but helpful info is always worth repeating.
By the way, don’t feel limited to choosing someone in your community. In this era of Covid and zoom, it’s normal for an architect to work remotely on a project.
As many professionals do, architects get much of their business through word of mouth. Ask family, friends and professional colleagues for referrals. Is there a particular home you admire? A knock on the door could yield an introduction to your future architect.
Find one on Houzz
Houzz is not only one of the most practical and efficient ways to find design ideas for your next project, it’s also a good way to find an architect. You can search professionals by location, read reviews from past clients and browse through photos of work. The fact that you’re reading this story makes me think this might be old news, but helpful info is always worth repeating.
By the way, don’t feel limited to choosing someone in your community. In this era of Covid and zoom, it’s normal for an architect to work remotely on a project.
Ask a pro in a related field
Interior designers and other individuals in related trades can be great resources for finding the right architect. Having a contractor and an architect who work well together is probably the single most important ingredient for a successful project.
The Indian Institute of Architects
Professional organisations such as the India Institute of Architects (AIA) is a good source for names, too.
Interior designers and other individuals in related trades can be great resources for finding the right architect. Having a contractor and an architect who work well together is probably the single most important ingredient for a successful project.
The Indian Institute of Architects
Professional organisations such as the India Institute of Architects (AIA) is a good source for names, too.
When searching for design help, you might encounter people who bill themselves as architects, and others who call themselves designers. Here is my attempt to clarify the differences.
Architect: You can call yourself an architect and advertise with the words “architect” or “architecture” in your business name only if you are licensed to practice architecture. Licensed architects typically have a degree from an accredited college, and have completed a series of eight rigorous exams.
Designer: Those without an architecture licence can call themselves a designer or architectural designer. Their total experience might consist of a diploma course at an an institute or a college. Or they might hold a masters in architecture from university and have 35 years of experience as a principal at one of the largest firms in the country, but for whatever reason, didn’t get their licence.
Architect: You can call yourself an architect and advertise with the words “architect” or “architecture” in your business name only if you are licensed to practice architecture. Licensed architects typically have a degree from an accredited college, and have completed a series of eight rigorous exams.
Designer: Those without an architecture licence can call themselves a designer or architectural designer. Their total experience might consist of a diploma course at an an institute or a college. Or they might hold a masters in architecture from university and have 35 years of experience as a principal at one of the largest firms in the country, but for whatever reason, didn’t get their licence.
Bio
An architect’s profile or website should be full of information on previous work and should give you a feel for what’s important in his or her design practice. Is sustainability a value? Fitting into the neighbourhood? Making a big statement?
An architect’s profile or website should be full of information on previous work and should give you a feel for what’s important in his or her design practice. Is sustainability a value? Fitting into the neighbourhood? Making a big statement?
The interview
Once you’ve found The One or a few that seem like they could be The One, then it’s time to start a conversation. Make an appointment to meet at the architect’s office or out on the site. There should be no charge for an initial consultation to discuss your project.
Once you’ve found The One or a few that seem like they could be The One, then it’s time to start a conversation. Make an appointment to meet at the architect’s office or out on the site. There should be no charge for an initial consultation to discuss your project.
The questions
Wondering what to ask at the first interview? Let the candidate know what is most important to you about your project and solicit thoughts about incorporating that into the process. If you are renovating, start with the aspects of your house you currently like or would like to take better advantage of.
Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling.
Wondering what to ask at the first interview? Let the candidate know what is most important to you about your project and solicit thoughts about incorporating that into the process. If you are renovating, start with the aspects of your house you currently like or would like to take better advantage of.
Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling.
- Can I see some examples of your work?
- How would you approach this project?
- What are some of the largest obstacles on a project like this?
- How do you charge, and what are your fees?
- How long will this project take for design, building permits and construction?
- Can you give me referrals for tradespeople you like?
- Are there any red flags with what I want to do?
Don’t forget to discuss your budget. Whether you plan to spend Rs. 50,000 or lakhs, it’s important to be up front from the get-go. First of all, you need to make sure what you’re proposing is possible. Construction costs can vary considerably, and just because the guy who fixed a leak in your attic says the project can be done for X dollars doesn’t mean it actually can.
A great architect will be able to get you the best design for your buck, recommend trustworthy and experienced pros, guide your investment, protect your interests during construction and save you time and money during the whole process.
A great architect might cost a little more than an average one, but the amount of value added to your project could be substantial.
Read more:
Busted! 5 Myths About Hiring an Architect
Tell us:
Have you had experience working with an architect? Share your advice for fellow Houzzers in the comments section.
A great architect will be able to get you the best design for your buck, recommend trustworthy and experienced pros, guide your investment, protect your interests during construction and save you time and money during the whole process.
A great architect might cost a little more than an average one, but the amount of value added to your project could be substantial.
Read more:
Busted! 5 Myths About Hiring an Architect
Tell us:
Have you had experience working with an architect? Share your advice for fellow Houzzers in the comments section.
What are you working on?
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I am going through an architect who negotiated with intent to defraud I asked for separate proposals 2nd Floor- $4000 and 1st Floor -$7000.
The agreement we signed instead of separating by 2nd & 1st FL he itemized the prices by his tasks .
The agreement can be cancelled giving 7 days written notice. I cancelled the Kitchen work out of his scope. He is saying since there are no signature on e-mails only the signed agreement so I have to pay $11000.
The point you do NOT make here is about the artistry of architecture.
Stating this very frankly, there are many different kinds of artists you need to consider first. Whose expression do you the client, like most? I believe - because of most of the architecture I see today, this qualification of 'design excellence' is a huge consideration, and challenge.
First, my advice is to choose locality of the business. Local architects have the best familiarity with the planning and permit application as experience, hence these provide the best services.
Next is the experience level in YOUR field, your request. Hire those architects who predominantly - by their record and work history - provide design services for residences. Duh. Also, unfortunately, choose from those architects whose work falls -by majority- in the range - by budget of what you require. For instance, I would not hire a low cost housing specialist architect for my luxury build for one reason: The experience level of a high end design commitment, of finishes, materials, of layout applications -and of design, is an acquired professional experience.
It would be unwise to ask me to design first to meet a very concise low budget housing design. I do not build or design low cost housing because I have no experience in this field.
Architecture I believe is about ART first. The talent, the creativity, the design approach that defines design excellence comes from repeated professional experience. NO, I do NOT mean an "Elitist" me vs. you experience condition.
I simply state that most of the architecture I see in my field of high end, luxury residential (individual) projects varies greatly in objective professional competency. Most of it is about copying specific styles of some historical significance. Whether French Country, American Colonial, British Federalism, or whatever, I believe this approach is a certain abomination to responsibility of design excellence. It is clear, copying stylistic choices is an excuse. Those who practice this have learned little in their education and professional tasks or simply cannot persuade their clients of the fallacy in such an approach.
We, the professionals leading this field cannot afford to be non-sustainable - or just be inconsiderate of required social conservationism. Absolutely a degeneration of both the communicative ability between client and architect, and the lack of interest in developing a unique, entrancing solution to eco-friendly design and layout occurs when we copy any style. I believe design and construction of LOG CABINS today is truly a stupid idea. The WHY to answer this should be self-evident. Most architects, as Vincent Scully in "Architecture: The Natural & the Manmade" stated so eloquently in his historical references, to copy a certain style because it is easy is wrong....
And finally about the art. My father, Alfred Browning Parker, FAIA , created so many unique designs because he chose to select appropriate approaches for each individual site, on its own merits. This is how "WoodSong" came about. (Voted one of the Ten Best Homes built by Architects). This is what the art in architecture is about. The artistic statement creates evolution, modification of fixed ideas and offers new horizons to the field.
My contention is simple: Hire the Architect for his or her ART statement - and their creativity in this approach, and seek out those on your short list, who know exactly what they are doing by experience. Competency is only second to the ability to communicate well with each client. If you don't know what the client really seeks, yes, any old style will do.
Very good and useful post. Discuss with your architect issues related to permitting, including zoning, contract negotiations with builders and representing the owner during construction.
Design is an outcome not just a well-executed predetermined solution.