Congratulations, you've decided you need an architect! Every architect has their own style, techniques and strengths, and whether your project is large or small, it's important to find one that's right for you.
1. Decide What Your Project Is: First things first — clarify what your needs are, and make sure you're on the same page as your family/business partner/etc. Also decide how much of the work you will be doing, and to what extent do you need the architects involvement. It can be helpful for you, and your prospective architect, if you clearly define the scope of your project. Making lists, prioritizing and pulling images of what you do and don't like will be incredibly helpful for you and the designer.
2. Determine Your Budget & Timeline: This might include the cost of the land, construction costs, architects and consultant fees, and permitting costs. Architects will sometimes have minimum budgets that they'll work with, and their fees will in some way be based on the cost of your project. You should also decide when you'd like the project to be completed — are you on a deadline or can you take your time? The architect may or may not be able to meet these requirements.
3. Seek Out Referrals & Visit Your Local AIA: Your local American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter is a great start to finding qualified professionals. They have a list of all AIA affiliated architecture firms, so you can quickly browse their websites and narrow down a list. Even better would be to get referrals from friends, family and acquaintances. These can go a long way to finding an experienced and recommended designer. On the flip side, they can also steer you away from bad news.
4. Browse The Firm's Website: Make sure their portfolio includes projects similar in size and scope to your own. Look at their design style — does it match your own? Do they have a signature style, or are they able to provide a variety of looks? If your project requires some level of expertise, such as historic preservation or LEED certification, make sure that they have experience in these fields.
5. Contact & Interview Prospective Architects (Ideally at Least 3): It's a good rule of thumb to meet with at least three firms to make an even comparison. Meet them in person, perferrably at their office. You'll be working with them closely for an extended period of time, and they'll likely spend a decent amount of time in your home. You want to make sure you click not only with them, but also their employees. Is their office chaotic, or calm? This may be a good indicator of their work ethic.
6. Good Questions to Ask:
• What is their design philosophy? • Do they incorporate sustainable design, and if so, to what extent? Are they, or anyone else in the office LEED accredited? (Important if LEED certification is desired) • What is their design/school background, and what type of certifications do they hold? (Make sure that they, or someone else in the office, are licensed in the state that the project is located) • Who will be managing the project? • How long would a project of this size and scope typically take? • How would they prioritize and balance your project with their other work load? • Do they have a standard group of consultants and contractors that they work with? Will they let you bring in your own?
7. Get a List of References & Visit a Few Built Projects: Talk to the architect's previous clients and ask them tons of questions — make sure to find out both the bad and good of their experience. Visit a few of the projects that are similar to yours, and judge the quality of the design and skill for yourself.
8. Find Out How Fees Are Established: Be aware that often an architects fee is based on a percentage of your budget. It can be hourly, fixed flat fee, or based on the final construction cost. It is important to be clear to the architect what your budget is, and what that does and doesn't include. There are often additional fees for travel, materials, 3-D models, overtime, significant changes to a design, etc. You may also be required to provide a retainer (similar to a down payment) at the start of the project. You don't want any of this to be a surprise later down the road.
9. Ask to See an Example of their Standard Contract: Often this is usually some version of the AIA's B101 Owner-Architect Agreement. Make sure that you understand and are comfortable with the terms of the agreement. Before you sign on the dotted line, it'd be advisable to have your attorney review the document.
GOOD RESOURCES:
AIA Architect Finder
You & Your Architect
How Design Works
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I have a question for the planning BEFORE this stage - how do I know if I need an architect, an interior designer or just a GC? I want to renovate my kitchen/dining area, with some structural changes, and I want it to look good. Oh, and I'm trying to be frugal (not cheap!), as well.
@embryoconcepts, some of what you want to do will be regulated by the municipal and state/province building codes. For example, structural changes will often require the oversight and signature of a licensed Architect or Structural Engineer and the approval of your local code official in the form of a demolition/building permit.
I highly recommend talking to an architect to decide if the project you'd like to do will need an architect. An architect is trained and licensed in order to look at building projects holistically, and can speak to scope, budgets, aesthetics, schedules, logistics, and legal requirements. Check out your local chapter of the American Institute of Architects for additional tips!
Another thing to be aware of - most people in the residential construction industry in the United States are very hungry for work - now is a great time for renovations to your home.
EMBRY -- you should refer to your municipality's building department, because they all have their own requirements. If you're just doing a simple cosmetic change out of materials and slight plan modifications, then an interior designer can help you with the design, and a GC can help build it. But, an architect brings it all together for understanding design, planning, code, structure, etc. (and of course providing sealed/signed drawings if a permit is required). If you're making any structural changes, then you'll definitely need either a structural engineer or architect depending on the severity of the changes. Also, you'll likely need an architect if you're making any electrical or plumbing revisions.
This will sound simple, but find one that is easy to talk to and will really listen to you and your ideas/thoughts. My friend felt so intimidate by her architect that she was a nervous wreck when she wanted to change something or didn't like his ideas. Remember, you're the boss - not them.
Bibliovore --
As a general rule, what you want can never be achieved for half the budget. What you want is probably at least twice the budget, and we'll work with you to get something that will still make you happy but fit in your budget.
If you're worried about an architect trying to paid their fee by driving up the cost of your project, you can look at a flat fee arrangement...
I would stear clear of any and all architects. We fired ours and ended up taking our detailed ideas and drawings for our whole house to a structural engineer who ACTUALLY listened to what we wanted and created all the drawings and engineered it so it would pass code and he was a quarter of the price of an architect alone.
Architects are very taken up with developing their own portfolios that mimic their style and don't seem to listen to a word the homeowner wants.
Looking back, since we were in a very strict budget, I would have sought after an architect who designed homes primarily with strict budgets. We chose a popular architect in our city with a modern aesthetic. While we loved his designs, he didn't really care about budgeting. His cost estimates were off. Luckily, my husband was formerly an architect and great with budgeting money, that he did an amazing job being his own GC. It was such a great time for us to build (last year), because land prices were at it's lowest. We probably couldn't afford to if the market was hot. Building costs were lower too.
My advice is if money isn't a problem, hire an architect. Build that dream home! If money is super tight, but you still want a custom home, hire an engineer and/or draftsman. Hire a great GC who knows what they're doing! Ask for references, visit the homes they've built inside and out. Be patient and attentive to little details throughout the building and design process. Every little detail in a home amounts to more money.
And don't overbuild for your area! If homes are going for $400,000 on your street, don't build a $800,000 home.
Woah woah woah! Don't hate on the Architects. Some of the previous comments are very disheartening and false, If i do say so myself. You should do your research first. First, Architect's don't really make a lot of money, that is a myth and I can testify first hand. A good architect will listen to your budget concerns, and devise a creative solution that fits your price without compromising quality or creativity. I know personally in this day and age, our firm is so desperate for work. We have been dedicating so much time and attention to projects for even lower fees because we have nothing in the pipeline. It works out great for our clients and we have a lot of fun with it. There are not architects that focus on work for tight budgets, but good and bad architects that will listen to your needs and work with them. It is important to understand that some firms specialize in commercial and large scale projects, hence they tend to charge higher fees on residential work. My advice would be to hire a small firm that does residential work locally. You will be getting the personable attention you deserve. If you don't want a creative and innovative design, sure go with an engineer. But in the long run, architects have the expertise and vision. Structural engineers do not know the code and design standards like Architects that could end up saving you significant amounts of money in the long run. Just look more into it and talk to a few firms, you'll see we are not all trying to take your money and design your house the way we want it...
I'd agree with bagel power, having just fired an architect for not listening and not having, and maintaining, a detailed requirements document. He fell in love with his design, his solutions, ignored key constraints, and did not listen. If I heard "I can redo that" one more time.....
A friend complained that the architect, aka her husband, focused only on design and not function when designing their kitchen.
When the Sidney Opera Housewas designed, the engineers demanded changes because it was unbuildable,
I addition to looking at prior projects, checking references, etc. I would find out about their project management and organizational skills. Once you have a final work scope, requirements document, have both of you sign it. Do the same as it is modified.