Dream to Design: 5 Critical Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Architect
Hiring an architect is a big deal. Although you’ll be providing the brief, they’re essentially the person in charge of designing your entire building, so you want to ensure that you make the right choice. With so many options available, it can be difficult to find the right architect for your specific project, but by asking the below questions, you’ll have a much easier time filtering your options.
Can You Provide References?
The first thing you’re going to want to ask is whether they can provide references. Whether you’re working with the best architects in Melbourne, London, New York, or Carmel, Indiana, they should have a strong portfolio, with references to back it up. Indeed, they’ll be expecting you to ask for them, so don’t feel rude opening with this.
You’ll want to pair the information you get from these references with online reviews to ensure you’re getting the full picture of what someone is like to work with, as this will have a significant impact on how your project turns out.
Do You Have Experience With This Kind Of Design?
Once you’ve ascertained through their references that the architect you’re considering is good at what they do, you’ll want to ask whether they have experience with the type of design you’re looking for. Their website and portfolio will give a general idea of whether they’re a good fit, but each project has its intricacies, and you’ll want to find someone who aligns with your needs as closely as possible.
How Do You Create Your Designs?
Knowing the design process that your architect prefers to use can give you an insight into how things will come together. This is particularly important if you’re going to want to have input throughout each step of the process. But it’s something that’s good to know regardless, especially if you’re on a tight timeframe and don’t have the bandwidth to be making major changes once a significant amount of the design is completed.
What Is Your Timeline For This Project?
Speaking of timelines, if the architect’s doesn’t align with yours, they’re not the right professional for you. Many factors can impact how long it will take an architect to complete your design – their current workload, design process, etc. – so it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary information to know you’re on the same page upfront.
What Are Your Fees, And Are Revisions Included In Your Quote?
Finally, once you’ve shortlisted appropriate candidates, it’s time to talk about money. While the total cost of a project can shift based on how many changes you need, having an upfront quote for the bulk of the work can help you figure out which professional best aligns with your budget.
It’s also worth asking whether there are any revisions included in their quote, as the answer to this question will vary from architect to architect. Money shouldn’t be the main factor that you base your decision upon, but it’s still important to consider. So don’t be afraid to seek alternative options or negotiate if someone is significantly out of your price range.
Once your building is designed and built, it’s highly likely that you’ll be inhabiting or working in it for the foreseeable future. This makes it vital to ensure both comfort and functionality upfront. The architect you choose will be the deciding factor in whether this is achievable, so be sure to ask these key questions, and don’t stop hunting until you’re entirely happy.