Go Beyond the Basics When Interviewing Architects
Before you invest all that money and time, make sure you and your architect are well matched beyond the obvious levels
Dylan Chappell
25 February 2014
Houzz Contributor and California Architect, Dylan Chappell is known for his sustainable and green approach to projects. Dylan is a South Coast native and serves on the Architectural Review Board for the County of Santa Barbara. (http://dylanchappell.com/)
Houzz Contributor and California Architect, Dylan Chappell is known for his sustainable... More
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling a current one, there are many aspects to consider: the expense and the multitudes of decisions (some with costly consequences) that you’ll have to live with for years, for starters. It can seem like you need to suddenly become an expert in construction and home design. An architect can guide you through this process, establishing the design and function of the home and controlling the emotional toll and financial costs associated with its construction.
The question shouldn’t be, “Why should I bother with an architect?” but “How can I find the right architect for my design, budget and personality?”
The question shouldn’t be, “Why should I bother with an architect?” but “How can I find the right architect for my design, budget and personality?”
There is no simple, surefire way to hire the right architect, but asking the right questions during the interview process is a step in the right direction.
Some basic questions to get you started:
Some basic questions to get you started:
- Have you done any other homes like mine?
- Are you licensed?
- May I see your portfolio?
- How much do you charge?
- Who will be working on my project?
If we really want to get to know someone — if we really care to know them — we need to ask better questions and carefully listen to their answers. If you don’t want canned one-line answers, don’t ask throwaway questions.
Only you can decide the correct answers to these questions. The only thing that matters is what’s important to you.
Only you can decide the correct answers to these questions. The only thing that matters is what’s important to you.
To really get to know your architect, include the following questions:
- When did you know you wanted to be an architect, and what do you love most about it?
- What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?
- What was your worst experience on a project?
- What about me and my project interests you the most?
- How important is a project like mine to your office, and who will be managing it? Can we meet that person?
Plan to interview at least a couple of architects. Ask them all the same questions and have them show you their portfolios. Quality interviews set the foundation for not only hiring the right architect, but also finding a person you like, respect and can trust throughout one of the most complex processes you’ll ever go through.
I have some friends who just bought a home for their new family. It was built in the 1960s by an architect who still lives in the area. They’ve recently been introduced to each other and have become friends. The architect is in his 80s now but stops by to say hi and have coffee once in a while.
The other night I went over to see the home, which still functions great after 50 years. While checking out the nursery, I made a comment about how cool the mobile over the crib was. “Yeah, we love it too,” they said. “It was a gift from the architect.”
It’s my hope that after a 50-plus-year career, architects don’t just look back on a portfolio of projects, but at all the great clients they’ve gotten to know, relationships they’ve built and homes they’ve helped create, where families grew and miracles happened.
Being able to build your own home is a gift. Make sure you enjoy it.
Tell us: What’s your advice for interviewing and working with an architect?
More: How to Hire the Right Architect
The other night I went over to see the home, which still functions great after 50 years. While checking out the nursery, I made a comment about how cool the mobile over the crib was. “Yeah, we love it too,” they said. “It was a gift from the architect.”
It’s my hope that after a 50-plus-year career, architects don’t just look back on a portfolio of projects, but at all the great clients they’ve gotten to know, relationships they’ve built and homes they’ve helped create, where families grew and miracles happened.
Being able to build your own home is a gift. Make sure you enjoy it.
Tell us: What’s your advice for interviewing and working with an architect?
More: How to Hire the Right Architect
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Some - few - architects are about providing a service for/to the client first and have some humility - they are hard to find - shameless self-promoters are a dime a dozen and are very adept at convincing you they will do a great job. That is their first criteria - getting more business - they spend al;t of time and effort to do that - the true service provider is not in a hurry and takes the jobs that suit the relationship the best. I don't look for or solicit work - people that need my services find me. I don't have a marketing department, sales team or a brand - I spend/invest my time on client's projects and when we are finished I do not bother them with requests to help me as a general rule.
Be sure to visit my website - droolingfordollars,com. LOL
Dreamdoctor is correct - again - we must talk sometime! We never do a free site visit - architects who do need to sell something to recover their time and end up doing a sales pitch or apply sales pressure.
We don't "sell" when we visit a client - we charge a modest fee and provide expert advice with no sales pressure or future commitment at all. If they want a sales pitch, I offer to meet them for free in my office or at a convenient coffee shop where I'll tell them how wonderful I am, all I've done over 40+ year's as an architect and of my awards, then bore them with photos of projects for clients with other needs, other locations and other priorities having little to do with what they want or need. To date, none have taken me up on my free offer - instead we establish a professional relationship at the beginning and educate. Our advice might be to not do the project - advice that 'd be difficult to do if my boss sent me out on a sales call with the intention of selling something. We give clients the truth - if they like the interaction and have a real project, we continue. If not, either they or we can part friends and they can use the information any way they like with anyone they like. To date - its rare that we elect to not work with a client due to lack of fit and more rare that we do not continue with the client - if there is a real project.
We also offer a second opinion service nationwide - you are about to spend a chunk of money - it may be prudent to get a second set of eyes before you pull the trigger. As a professor of architecture, I find it fun to help turn good designs into great ones or offer other questions to pursue.
Thanks, Dreamdoctor.
John
I tell potential clients if they can find a better designer/architect/builder please give me their name so I can use them - I'm not kidding. We'll see what the future brings and hopefully have a conversation sometime when the snow is a blowin'.