Utilize our crucial standards when looking for a designer to assist you find an architect for your

project who will help you realize your vision.

The ultimate goal is to find an architect who will effortlessly handle the design and planning of

your build… but how to go about finding them?

While an architect's knowledge and experience are unquestionably among the most crucial

things to take into account, the best ones will also be able to transform an effective design into

your own unique style and make you feel at ease when dealing with them.

We've compiled our top 7 rules to follow when looking for an architect for your home renovation

in order to help you find your perfect fit.

1. Before hiring an architect, draft a brief

You must have a “brief”, a basic run through of what you are looking to do before you even start

contacting architects. To decide if they are interested in taking on the project, an architect will

want to know what you are looking for.

Having an idea of the following would help guide your architect in the proper direction:

• How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
• Home styles you prefer?
• Any preferred materials?
• Any specific requests, like energy efficiency, an elevator, floor to ceiling windows, or anything else important to you.
• The location of the work. They will need to know if it is on a hillside, flat, and what the land is like.

2. Ask around.

One of the simplest ways to identify an architect for your project is to conduct a straightforward

Google search that targets your neighborhood. Check out social media as well. Architects and designers are showing their work in droves on Instagram. If you come across anybody you like,

they probably have their contact information on these platforms, so you may reach out to them.

It's usually preferable if you can find someone who comes highly recommended by someone

you know and trust, just like with everyone else you employ to work on your project, whether

they are carpenters, builders, designers, etc. Ask your friends and relatives if they can

recommend an architect who they've worked with.

Another option is to simply walk around the neighborhood where you're building and check for

any new houses you like; there's no damage in asking the owner who did the work.

The advantage of hiring a local architect is that they are familiar with building houses that fit the

local style, may have good relationships with the planning department, and may even be able to

recommend local contractors with whom they have previously collaborated on projects.

Once you've identified a few architectural firms, invite them to the site so you can meet with

them in person to discuss your project. Ideally, you should interview at least three architects so

you can determine whether you'll get along with them and be able to work together, whether

they can create the type of home you want, and whether your dream home is both feasible and

within budget.

3. Hire an architect with experience with the City

Having prior (good) experience working with city planners can make all the difference when

selecting an architect.

It pays to have someone fighting for you who is familiar with your planning authority; they will

know what might or might not gain approval, they will have an understanding of the success rate

of other projects in the area, and they will have developed a rapport with those deciding your

fate. This is true whether your project is small and simple or large and detailed.

4. Select an architect with whom you get along well.

You're entrusting the creation of your ideal home to your architect. You'll be spending a lot of

money on both the project and the design phase itself, so you need to feel comfortable

approaching them with any questions.

One of the deciding elements when interviewing potential architects for the position should be

how well you get along with them and whether you feel comfortable approaching them about

any issues. This will make everything go more easily.

When hiring an architect, make sure you can depend on them and that you're both comfortable

because a communication breakdown can have a long-lasting impact on the entire project.

5. Find an Architect Whose Past Work You Like

One of the easiest and quickest ways of viewing an architect’s previous work will be on their

website, yelp page, or social media.

An architect’s website is their face to the world. You can tell a lot from how they present

themselves. Is the site ultra-modern? What about the gallery of past work, are these homes you

could imagine yourself in? What do you like, what don’t you like? What architectural styles do

you see presented in the majority of their work? What materials do you notice that they keep

utilizing?

You may even be able to locate some builders they’ve worked with before to start planning

down the line, after the design phase is complete. Builder’s an architect has worked with may

also have great insight about the architect in question, so it might be worth a call.

6. Find an Architect Who Will Listen.

When you talk about your brief with prospective architects during interviews, it's possible that

they may provide a number of options right away for making your vision a reality.

Take care, though, to avoid deviating from your plans in your description of your preferences

and must-haves. Their role as creatives is to create your dream home, but they also have to

make sure that they pay attention to you and don't try to change it into their own.

You shouldn't get carried away and give up important components you've always coveted.

Although, some architects have been able to construct a home that was even greater than they

had imagined. Communication is key to bring balance between giving your architect some

creative wiggle room, and making sure your needs and wants are respected.

7. Pick an architect who is considerate of your budget.

Your home's design will consume a significant portion of your entire budget, so it's crucial to get

it properly and be satisfied with it.

However, keep in mind that you need to be prudent unless you have unlimited resources to

invest in the business.

Be honest with your architect right away, and they should be truthful with you about what can be

accomplished within your budget. Additionally, resist their attempts to convince you to choose

architectural features that would raise the overall cost but which you may not actually require.

Make sure, unless you are fully aware and desire such materials, that the architect is using

common materials and not something that is going to blow your budget or you could be in for a

headache down the road.