How to Select a Residential Architect

Do your homework. Read as many books and magazines as you can to educate yourself about the process of building and designing houses, before you talk to any architects. Most people never build a house for themselves, let alone work with an architect. As in everything else, the more you know, the better able you are to make good choices. Also, the better informed you are about construction and design, you might actually save yourself some money. Know your budget and be forthright in discussing it with the architects. That information will go a long way in determining the success of your project and may eliminate some architects from consideration.

Do not select a relative or best friend based on that relationship. This is a professional decision. Hire someone for his or her competency and realize that you want a friendly but business relationship. The first house I designed, pretty much right out of college, was for my parents. Did they receive excellent and personal service? You bet. Would they have been better served by hiring an architect with more knowledge and experience? You bet.

Look at other houses and magazines to start assessing what your style is. Consider open or enclosed spaces, amount of natural light, flow from one space to another, materials, details, etc. Keep in mind that you want to give direction to the designer while not limiting her creativity.

Today, most architects have websites. Search for the websites thru Google or some other search engine, preferably before setting interviews. Study their previous houses and look for a fit with your taste. If you love traditional work with lots of ornamentation and they do nothing but contemporary, it is not likely to be a good relationship, for either party. Try to look beyond an exact fit, however. Does the architect have a singular style that matches you exactly? Or more likely, does the architect have certain tendencies, which should be compatible with your design sense.

After scheduling several appointments with architects, prepare a list of questions you want answered by all of them. While the best interviews have a degree of spontaneity, you want to insure that you obtain the information that is pertinent to you. Some typical questions might include the following: Does the firm have a design process or philosophy? How does that process involve you? How will you communicate? What information does the architect need to get started and how is that obtained? Who, in the firm, will actually be doing the work? What is the time line for your project? What is the extent of the documentation given to the builder? What is the involvement of the architect thru construction? Can you see some of their work and talk to previous clients? If you have a particular interest in Green Building, or some other design or construction approach, what are the architect's thoughts about that subject?

Ask the architect for recommendations for builders. Why does he recommend those particular builders? What is the relationship with each builder? Does the architect look at the builder as part of a team? When would the architect recommend selecting the builder and seeking the builder's involvement? What kind of contract should the client have with the builder and why? What are current building costs in the area?

What and how does the architect charge for services? What do you get for your money? Does the architect use a standard contract or just a verbal agreement? Is the architect flexible in the amount of services to be performed and therefore in the fees to be charged? See "Doing your homework above."

After meeting with all of the architects, with whom you have scheduled appointments, you should have a clear, cut winner. If you do not, keep looking.

Jonathan Faulkner is a practicing architect in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, specializing in custom residential design.