How to Choose the Right Architect

by Artvisualizer Press Media Friday, May 01, 2009

Whether you're simply adding on a room or two, redesigning an existing space or building a new home from the ground up, you'll most likely need professional help. The first professional on your list should be an architect - someone to take your dreams and visions and turn them into a plan that can become, in reality, the home of your dreams. Choosing the right architect for your project takes a bit of time, research and effort on your part, but it's the first step in ensuring that your dream home becomes reality. Try to come up with a list of what you want and need in your new living space. Do you need more storage? Do your kids want a play area? How about room for your family to grow? What activities will your new space be used for - entertaining, relaxing, working? What types of architecture already exist in your home or neighborhood? Is there a particular type of floor plan or home design you especially like - open, modern, Georgian, Victorian, environmentally friendly, northwestern?

Don't worry if you don't have all the answers, or can't think of everything. Your architect can help you find them and clarify everything before the final plans are drawn up. Once you have an idea in mind of what you want and need, do a little research. Check out new housing in your area to see if anything is close to what you have in mind for your home. Find out which architects are designing what you like. Consult with family and friends who have had building done. Contact your state or province's architectural association or institute, too, to ensure that the architect you choose follows professional and ethical standards. As these are voluntary organizations, not all "good" architects will be listed, but a list from the association or institute can serve as a starting point if nothing else. Compile a list of possible choices. Contact each architect firm on your list. Briefly describe your project and then ask if they are available to take it on. If a firm says they are available, request literature outlining the firm's qualifications and experience. If they say they can't take on your project right now, ask for referrals for other architects who may be available. Usually, they will be happy to refer you to another firm or two that they consider reliable and competent. After you receive the literature, brochures, and whatnot from your available firms, review all of it.

Look past the glitz and advertising hype to the qualifications and experiences. Read the biographies of personnel. Pay close attention to past and current projects. Contact as many of these prior clients as you can to get personal references. Most former customers will be happy to give you some sort of review, be it good or bad. Finalize your list to two or three of the best qualified, highest recommended architects and set up interviews with them. The interview is essential to the selection process. You'll be working very closely with this individual or group of individuals for a long time. You'll want to be comfortable with them, have a bit of chemistry. Face to face interviewing is the only way to really know if that sort of relationship can exist between you and the architect. Allow at least an hour for the interview. Some architects prefer for you to come to them. This is helpful because you will get to see where your project will be completed. Some prefer to come to you, perhaps even to the building site. This is helpful because they get to see your needs and any possible challenges they may face as they complete your project. Expect to see slides or photos of previous projects and perhaps examples of current work. Ask lots of questions. How busy is the firm? Who will handle your project? (Insist on meeting with the actual architect who will be working on your project.) What is the firm's design philosophy? How will your project proceed? Is there a timeframe for completion? Discuss your budget and what range of services your budget will be able to cover. Ask to see an actual project, either completed or near completion. If at any time, you don't understand something or need clarification, ask for it. If you can't understand your architect, or if he or she can't communicate with you on any question or concern, then it's a good bet your working relationship will be fraught with miscommunication and misunderstanding. It might be best to eliminate all architects that make you feel intimidated, uncomfortable or that leave you confused about something they've tried to explain. Before requesting the interview, ascertain whether or not the firm charges for interviews. Some do. Some don't. After the interviews are completed, make the final selection. The right architect will be the one who can provide the creative skills, personal chemistry, and technical expertise at the most reasonable cost to help you plan a project that fits your needs as well as fulfills your dreams. Once you have found your perfect architect, sit down together and finalize the terms of your agreement. Include scope of work, services provided, schedule, budget and the architect's fees. Architects are paid in a multitude of ways - hourly, by the project, fixed rates, or by receiving a percentage of the construction costs. Fees per project vary also, depending on the size and scope of the project, the nature of your needs, and the services your project requires. Most firms have "kill fee" policies, too, to ensure that should you cancel the project at any point in the process, they receive some sort of compensation for the work they've done. Be sure that your architect explains exactly how his or her fees are established, and what sort of payment arrangements can be expected. Designing a building project can be fun and rewarding. It can also be a confusing, intimidating process.

If at any time, you are uncomfortable with how things are going, you'll want to discuss your concerns with your architect. You don't want to lose all control over the project so that it is no longer the answer to your dreams. You also don't want to be so restrictive with your poor architect that you lose the creativity along the way. Working with an architect to design your dream home should be an exciting, challenging, positive experience. Choosing the right architect can ensure that it is.

Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-architect-887063.html