I just started my custom home build project. We’re still in the design phases, and I want to be sure I’m asking the right questions.
There are several important questions that you will want to any architect that you are going to hire. (And I would suggest that you meet with 3-4 architects before you choose which one you are going to work with.)
Ask them how they got into architecture. What path brought them to where they are? Did they work for a big firm, or did they graduate and immediately start their own firm? Do they have a background in construction? (Always a big plus)
Ask them if they have a specific style of home that they specialize in: contemporary, farmhouse, tuscan etc. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but if you want to build an ultra-contemporary home, you don’t want to hire someone whose never done this type of work before.
Ask them about their process and how they work with clients. Do they want to have one meeting with you and then they’ll go off and design your home? Or do they want you and your builder continually involved throughout the process?
Obviously, fees are important. Some architects include all specialist fees in their proposal, and others just include their fee as the architect. Make sure to ask if their fee includes structural engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, soils reports or any other fees that will be required before developing a set of plans that’s ready to be submitted to the city. When comparing fees between architects, you want to make sure that you are comparing apples to apples.
Ask them if they do construction administration? If you have a complex project, you may want them to continue to check up on the build as it is happening. If it’s a smaller budget project and you have a dependable contractor, you probably don’t need this extra service.
Ask them for referrals. Ask them for referrals. Ask them for referrals. And call and talk to their referrals about how they enjoyed working with the architect. In fact, once you’ve narrowed down to 1 or 2 architects, ask them to take you to a project that they are currently working on. They should have at least 1 project currently under construction. Ask them about the challenges they faced with that project, where they value engineered it, and what they think are the best design elements of the home.
And make sure that you don’t make the decision based on price alone. Yes, cost matters, but don’t just go with the cheapest architect because he or she is the cheapest. With design, you usually get what you pay for. There are all sorts of areas where you can cut costs when building a home…but architecture should not be one of them. You can always upgrade that carpet or those countertops later. But it’s difficult and expensive to change a house that has terrible flow, poor livability or a weird elevation. And an inexpensive architect may save you on the cost of plans, but if they don’t pay attention to providing thorough construction details, you will lose thousands and thousands of dollars in construction delays and change orders as the builder wrestles with your discount plans.
Lastly, I would get a builder involved ASAP. Reach out to a builder in your area who is willing to walk you through the design process. Most builders have contacts with architects and (if you pay the builder a design fee) they will often help walk you through the design process until you have a set of plans ready to submit to the city. Too often homeowners go to an architect, spend $20-30,000 on design and engineering before ever getting a contractor involved. And then, once they start getting bids back from contractors, they find that they paid all that money to have a house designed that they will never be able to afford. Ask any architect and I guarantee you that they have dozens and dozens of beautiful homes that they drew for people that never got built. Architects are not builders. They don’t know how much it will cost to build your home. They may be able to give you a ballpark number, but that isn’t good enough. Get a builder involved early! It’s sad, but it happens all the time.
Also, make sure that you get along with the architect. If you don’t want to hang out with him or her, or go out to lunch…then they probably aren’t a good fit. This is someone that is going to (directly or indirectly) cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, even millions of dollars. If you don’t feel like they are a good person that you want to hang out with, then find someone else. Good luck with your new project!
Your architect should be one of your best resources during the custom home process so make sure you select the one that you have the best rapport with!
I would want to know:
- Will the architect do all the submittals & pull permits for you?
- What is their turnaround time for redlines?
- What are all the fees you’ll be charged, including for redlines and/or any additional changes?
- Does the architect work with you throughout the entire build and are they available for onsite changes?
- Will the architect coordinate with the entire team including all civil & structural engineering, etc. or are you responsible for finding those disciplines?
Those are some of the initial questions I would ask. The architect and contractor are the two biggest pieces of project so be sure to select each one carefully!