Alright, so you have decided you want to hire an architect, or at the very least you have considered the likelihood enough to do a little research. Now you want to know how you are supposed to decide on an architect, whenever you don’t know anything about architecture, which explains why you’ll need to hire an architect! Whew…
First things first, how do you find an architect to utilize? I have several recommendations, first, ask your entire friends and acquaintances if they’ve worked with an architect, know an architect, or can suggest one. Person to person could be the single best way to locate someone you are willing to trust with a project as personal as designing your house, building, or space. Miami architects If your friends cannot provide you a title or two go onto the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Or simply just Google: Architect, your location, and whatever you want to build.
How will you know if they are able to meet your needs and offer you everything you want? Maybe you have done some research and you have found, as is often the case, that several architects in your location build beautiful homes or buildings and have great pictures on the website. Maybe some are your style, maybe others aren’t, but so you are confused because if all architects design beautiful spaces how are you aware which is right for you?
Maybe selecting an architect should resemble selecting a puppy. Before you obtain a puppy you do research, you discover what type you want based on what they look, what exercise requirements they’ve, what certain personality traits are typical with that breed, what size they are or will grow to be, how far would be the located to go choose one out, and then when you finally make it you select the one the grabs your attention. Maybe it’s the cutest one, maybe it’s the quiet one that plays alone, or possibly it’s the spunky one that shows off and is extremely friendly.
Much like selecting a puppy, selecting an architect that’ll meet your specific needs is based on a lot of different factors. That doesn’t signify every architect is for you, or as you are able to work with every architect. So here are the important thing points you need to find out and consider when selecting an architect to work with.
Research – just like buying a puppy, the more research, the greater the end result will be. If you’re looking to construct or remodel a residence, try looking for architects that specialize in residential design. All architects specialize in something, residential structures that emphasize energy efficiency, hospitals, schools, contemporary design and so on. All architects are negative at all things, so steer far from the architect who is trying to be all things to any or all customers.
Consider the work the architect did, just because they aren’t showing that mid century modern home you want doesn’t mean they can’t provide it for you, it may just signify other clients didn’t want that. But you’re selecting an architect who will best suit your needs, so you want them to have the ability to conform to your style. If you see that the architect appears to only do hospitals, and you want to design a house, chances are they might not be the architect for you.
Find out what are certain requirements for working with the architect. Do they bill monthly, or by the end of the project? Are their fees fixed? What sort of contract will they need you to sign? Do they do renovations, or only new construction? Do they work primarily your area? Some of these records will undoubtedly be available on the website, but giving a call to any office will often gain you the information you need. If you’re not sure what questions to ask, have the architect explain to you what working with them can look like.
Request referrals. Dealing with anyone could be a challenge, so ask previous clients what their experience was working with the architect. Ask how a project went and if the architect was quick with giving an answer to questions. Does someone answer the phone whenever you call, or did you have to communicate with the automated system? Did they finish the project promptly and on budget? Did they follow the project entirely through from design through completion or did they hand the project off to the contractor after design and permitting.
And lastly, setup a meeting to introduce yourself to the architect and ask who will undoubtedly be area of the team. Your personality and theirs need to be compatible so you know as you are able to work together. You will undoubtedly be sharing some very personal information together with your architect, so be sure to select someone you’re feeling comfortable with.
Everyone is worried that the architect only wants to create some showpiece and charge a lot of money. This is a very big misconception. Architects are trained to know space. They spend years developing the skills necessary to provide around possible whatsoever number of space and allow it to be work so well that you never know how complicated it had been to have that last closet among the bathroom and the kitchen. Architects in many cases are able to locate space in your layout or your budget that you never considered, nevertheless you need to find out that the architect you hire can meet your needs. Be willing and open to listen to their suggestions, because sometimes they do know better, but be upfront in stating what your budget, timeframe, and expectations are.