Architecture
10 Essential Questions to Ask Architects Before Hiring Them
To help gauge whether an architect is right for your building project, three professionals suggest the best questions to ask
If you’re planning to build a new home or renovate your existing home, an architect can help turn your dream into a reality. We’re just about to start down this road, renovating our home, so I asked three well-respected architects their advice on finding the perfect architect. Here are the questions they recommend you ask potential architects to help you find the one that’s a stand-out for your project.
1. What’s your signature style?
“There is no use commissioning an architect if you don’t believe in the same design principles,” says Dominic Bagnato from Bagnato Architects.
“Designing a home is a team effort between all parties, especially the client and architect, but also with consultants and the builder. Everyone must be on the same page – you can’t start a project in a negative manner,” he says. “When the synergy is right, we walk away from the meeting knowing we are going to be lifelong friends. It’s a very personal journey.”
“There is no use commissioning an architect if you don’t believe in the same design principles,” says Dominic Bagnato from Bagnato Architects.
“Designing a home is a team effort between all parties, especially the client and architect, but also with consultants and the builder. Everyone must be on the same page – you can’t start a project in a negative manner,” he says. “When the synergy is right, we walk away from the meeting knowing we are going to be lifelong friends. It’s a very personal journey.”
2. Who will be designing my project? Who will be my everyday contact?
Unless you’re hiring a sole proprietor, there’s a chance the person you initially meet isn’t the one who’ll handle all your design work.
“This is totally okay, as long as you know this up front,” says Chris Grinham, director at Humprey + Edwards Architects and Interior Designers, and the architect responsible for our current renovation.
“Good communication is crucial to a successful project, so you’ll need to meet the lead architect before you hire the firm,” Grinham says. “You’ll also need all their contact information, and once you’ve decided on someone, make sure to ask for a schedule of meetings with mutually agreeable dates and times.”
Unless you’re hiring a sole proprietor, there’s a chance the person you initially meet isn’t the one who’ll handle all your design work.
“This is totally okay, as long as you know this up front,” says Chris Grinham, director at Humprey + Edwards Architects and Interior Designers, and the architect responsible for our current renovation.
“Good communication is crucial to a successful project, so you’ll need to meet the lead architect before you hire the firm,” Grinham says. “You’ll also need all their contact information, and once you’ve decided on someone, make sure to ask for a schedule of meetings with mutually agreeable dates and times.”
3. Can you supply 3D drawings?
Reading a standard two-dimensional plan can be confusing. Even if you do work out where the walls, windows, and doors are, you may not get an accurate feel for how the design will look in real life.
“Ask your architect how your project will be presented,” recommends Grinham. “Most architects now use software to render 3D images that can be rotated and viewed from multiple angles.”
Reading a standard two-dimensional plan can be confusing. Even if you do work out where the walls, windows, and doors are, you may not get an accurate feel for how the design will look in real life.
“Ask your architect how your project will be presented,” recommends Grinham. “Most architects now use software to render 3D images that can be rotated and viewed from multiple angles.”
4. Can you see any challenges with my project?
Getting an answer to this question can be a great indicator as to how an architect will approach your project. Ask them what their vision is for the project, what they can see working, how any proposed addition will blend with the rest of your home and, most importantly, whether they can foresee (and have a plan to overcome) any challenges?
“All projects have hurdles but the key thing is to sit down and talk to your clients to work through the issues, so that they can trust in your advice,” says Darcy.
Getting an answer to this question can be a great indicator as to how an architect will approach your project. Ask them what their vision is for the project, what they can see working, how any proposed addition will blend with the rest of your home and, most importantly, whether they can foresee (and have a plan to overcome) any challenges?
“All projects have hurdles but the key thing is to sit down and talk to your clients to work through the issues, so that they can trust in your advice,” says Darcy.
5. What’s your estimated timetable for my project?
“It
‘s very important
to
get
a
timescale
of
how
long
the
work
will
take, not only for your family’s and budget’s sake, but for your own sanity, too,” says Grinham.
Keeping a kitchen renovation budget in check
“It
‘s very important
to
get
a
timescale
of
how
long
the
work
will
take, not only for your family’s and budget’s sake, but for your own sanity, too,” says Grinham.
Keeping a kitchen renovation budget in check
6. What’s your track record for completing projects within the original budget and timeline?
“Delivering a project on budget and to program requires more the management of expectations than anything else,” says Grinham. “Clear and open communication is critical and fundamental to the successful completion of any project.”
“There is no use proceeding with the commission knowing that the project could not possibly be built within the clients’ expected construction budget,” adds Bagnato. “You’re wasting the client’s money in your commissioning fees and the time put in by any builders quoting on the construction.”
“Delivering a project on budget and to program requires more the management of expectations than anything else,” says Grinham. “Clear and open communication is critical and fundamental to the successful completion of any project.”
“There is no use proceeding with the commission knowing that the project could not possibly be built within the clients’ expected construction budget,” adds Bagnato. “You’re wasting the client’s money in your commissioning fees and the time put in by any builders quoting on the construction.”
7. Do you have a deep understanding of onsite construction methods?
Other similar questions could include: Do you know how to build? Have you worked on a building site before? Do you have an intimate knowledge of individual trades that work on site.
“These are important questions,” says Bagnato. “I’m a big believer that an architect must have as much experience working on, or being on, a construction site. Knowing how a building is constructed makes for a better architect and their relationship with the builder.”
Other similar questions could include: Do you know how to build? Have you worked on a building site before? Do you have an intimate knowledge of individual trades that work on site.
“These are important questions,” says Bagnato. “I’m a big believer that an architect must have as much experience working on, or being on, a construction site. Knowing how a building is constructed makes for a better architect and their relationship with the builder.”
8. Do you provide project management services?
Architects can do more than come up with the design and blueprints. They can also:
Architects can do more than come up with the design and blueprints. They can also:
- Manage your project
- Help you hire contractors
- Check the contractor’s work as the job proceeds
- Make design adjustments as the work progresses
- Review invoices to ensure that payments never get ahead of the work
- Obtain necessary lien waivers from all contractors so no one can make a claim against your property later
“Ask your architect which services he provides, and what they cost,” says Grinham. “Some services, like site inspections and revisions, should be part of your contract – others come at an extra cost.”
9. How disruptive will construction be? What role will the homeowner have during construction?
“This is a biggie,” says Grinham. “If you’re renovating your home, you may need to move out while the project proceeds, which can add to your budget, but generally results in a shorter construction program. Living on a building site is not for the faint-hearted and it’s generally advisable to find alternative accommodation during construction.
“You also need to decide who will manage the project: Will it be you or your architect who will have direct contact with the contractors on your project?”
Whether to stay or go during a renovation
“This is a biggie,” says Grinham. “If you’re renovating your home, you may need to move out while the project proceeds, which can add to your budget, but generally results in a shorter construction program. Living on a building site is not for the faint-hearted and it’s generally advisable to find alternative accommodation during construction.
“You also need to decide who will manage the project: Will it be you or your architect who will have direct contact with the contractors on your project?”
Whether to stay or go during a renovation
10. How frequently do you bill, and what are the conditions of payment?
“Architects usually charge a percentage of the total project cost, anywhere between five per cent and 15 per cent, depending on the services provided, the complexity of the job, and the renown of the architect,” says Grinham.
Also ask when and how payments will be due. It’s important to get complete clarity around the plan so you can manage your budget.
“Architects usually charge a percentage of the total project cost, anywhere between five per cent and 15 per cent, depending on the services provided, the complexity of the job, and the renown of the architect,” says Grinham.
Also ask when and how payments will be due. It’s important to get complete clarity around the plan so you can manage your budget.
EXTRA QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Can I see a portfolio of similar projects?
- Can you provide a list of client and contractor references?
- Are you interested enough in this project to make it a priority?
FINAL WORDS OF ADVICE
“You must choose an architect that you are very comfortable with and one you think feels the same about your project,” says Bagnato. “If you don’t like what you see in the architect’s portfolio, however, don’t try and convince them to design a project that they don’t believe in. Find one that does. It’s a personal journey so don’t be afraid to ask your architect anything, and allow them to be frank. The process can be intense but also fun.”
TELL US
Have you employed an architect for a design project? What questions paid off and what additional ones could you add to this list? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Renovate
7 Important Questions to Ask Builders
11 Things to Consider When Subdividing and Developing a Site
“You must choose an architect that you are very comfortable with and one you think feels the same about your project,” says Bagnato. “If you don’t like what you see in the architect’s portfolio, however, don’t try and convince them to design a project that they don’t believe in. Find one that does. It’s a personal journey so don’t be afraid to ask your architect anything, and allow them to be frank. The process can be intense but also fun.”
TELL US
Have you employed an architect for a design project? What questions paid off and what additional ones could you add to this list? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Renovate
7 Important Questions to Ask Builders
11 Things to Consider When Subdividing and Developing a Site
“Whether it be a simple or complex project, an architect can assist you, and walk you through the process from the design through to the construction of your home,” says Briony Darcy, co-founder of DE atelier Architects. “They’re experts in the analysis and interpretation of your brief, so can create a home that is uniquely suited to your personal needs.”
An architect studies the art and science of building design, contract and law for a period of five years, explains Darcy. “Then, for a further two years (or more), train under the guidance of a registered architect,” she adds. “You can be assured that an architect has the qualifications and training to fully understand and guide you through every step of your project.”