When your goal is to build a customized home, it’s important that you connect with an architect that’s qualified. This means, that you’ve got to ensure that the architect you’re working with is skilled, professional, and able to execute the home that you’re dreaming of.
We’re going to outline a list of questions, that you should ask an architect, before you commit to working with them. If an architect seems unequipped to answer these questions, then you might want to reconsider working with them. Never be shy, because if you are, you might not end up satisfied with your renovation. Let’s get started.
Ten questions to ask an architect
- When you’re designing homes, what are the values and principles that ground your work?
- During the renovation, in what ways will you gather information about my personal goals, ideas, needs, wants, visions, and more?
- What steps do you take in your design process, and what will the experience be like for me, as a client?
- How will I be able to visualize the progress of the project, as we go? Will you show me designs through models, drawings, sketches, or renderings, so that I can better visualize the design and end-goal?
- What are the important things to consider, when working on my project? What are the possible problems that will arise, because of my project? Are there challenges that will come, with my project?
- Who is the member of your team that will render the initial concept for the renovation, and after this is rendered, who finalizes their design and plans?
- Currently, how much work does your firm have? Are you at capacity or close to being at capacity? Considering your workload, will it be feasible for you to finish my project in the timeline that I proposed?
- How do you charge your clients? What are your fees like—meaning, is it possible to accrue additional fees, that extend beyond the initial rate that we discussed?
- If unexpected circumstances came into fruition, and I decided to reconfigure the trajectory of my project, how would you charge me? How would you determine any additional fees that would come with the changes in the project?
- Could you give me a list of references?
After asking these questions, you can figure out how knowledgeable an architect is. You can also determine if the architect is right for you and your project. If an architect aces these questions, then that’s a good sign that they’re ready to work with you.
Plus, if your architect is responsive to these questions and willing to ask you follow up questions, then that’s a good sign. You want to work with someone who has good communication skills, and these questions test an architect’s communication skills.
Marc Julien Homes is committed to fulfilling your vision, so if you’re interested in learning more about our custom services, contact us. We’re ready to answer all of your tough questions.