We met with our forth and last architect candidate yesterday. Hooray.
Being in the business myself, I know that a generous wedge in our decision-making process rests with whether or not we connect with the architect. This is a relationship that will last over the next six or so months of design collaboration, the permit process and potentially, the committee of adjustments and our build if we so desire. There has to be an easy trust, comfortable rapport and a complete synergy in design taste.
I have always been organized for these meetings – with my tear sheets of spaces that inspire and a list of questions. A well run meeting usually gets all of my questions answered before I even ask them and doesn’t require me to show and tell. That is what happened yesterday.
But since we are always a pro when the process is done, I thought I would share my list of questions that helped us make our decision.
State Your Goals
It helps to be clear about what your objectives are. If it is a new build, if it is a renovation, what the budget you are trying to work within is, what your time frame might be. You will never get what you want if you don’t ask for it – this is your opportunity to be clear. It is equally an opportunity for the architect to say this isn’t their sweet spot. Best to be upfront and not waste anyone’s time.
A Walk Through
I have loved taking each architect through our home and getting their gut, initial reactions to things. We have lived in this sweet space for over a year now so definitely have our insights as to how we would change things but a fresh set of eyes always opens things up in a new and refreshing way. Not everyone is great on the spot but true visionaries are.
Show Me Your Stuff
This is probably my favorite bit of each meeting as I love to see the goods. A portfolio tells a story that the architect may not be able to tell without it – it is their professional life at a glance. One of the architects we met had a beautiful bound book she created for one of her projects but one project does not a portfolio make. We wanted to see a breadth of work – it doesn’t have to be fancy but it has to document a consistency and depth of experience. It should punctuate their individual design philosophy but if the portfolio is a bit scattered, it may be a red flag. The last thing you want is to have to reign in your architect or keep them on a design path.
To Pay or Not to Pay
I am a big believer in these initial meetings being a courtesy. Of the five architects we wanted to meet, only one insisted on being paid for an initial consult which is why we only interviewed four. That first meeting is to see if you have a fit – design wise and professionally. Unless I am actually consulting in my first meetings, I do not charge either. Just the way I roll.
The Final Few
When you are interviewing a firm vs. an architect, it is important to know who exactly you will be working with. If there are many behind the curtain, you will want to meet them.
You will want references – just a few to better understand your architect’s approach and professional style. Is he or she accessible, within reason? Responsive? Present throughout?
FEES – every architect works differently. Some work on a percentage basis of the overall construction costs (we heard everything from 8-15%) and others, look at the whole and estimate their involvement. There can be a chasm here. You will need to identify where you are most comfortable and stay the course.