Finding the Right Architect
Finding the right architect for your home does not have to be an impossible task. It is important that you understand the process, and know all the secrets to getting the right architect for your specific job. Every architect is different, and will use different methods, have a unique approach to the project, and will bring their own individual style. This means that not every architect is suitable or right for every single project. Some specialize in new construction, and some work on remodeling jobs where the initial construction is already completed. The architect will be spending a significant amount of time with you, and it is important that there is a cordial relationship. The architect also needs to understand your vision, needs, and style desired. You may be one of the lucky few who have had work done before, and you already know of the right architect, but for most of us this process must be started from scratch.
Before you even start looking for an architect, you must determine some things first. What are your goals? Are you building a custom home or do you just want a new kitchen or bathroom? What is the budget available for the project? What are
the things you want most from this project? Now that you have examined the project and know what you want, the architect search is on. There are many ways to find possible architects to add to the possible list. Talk to anyone you know who has had the same type of project completed, including family members, friends, acquaintances, and co-workers, and find out which architect they used. Ask whether the results were acceptable, and why or why not. You can also contact the American Institute of Architects to find member professionals in your area, and go through the listings of architects in your local phone book.
Once you have a list of potentials, call each one. Tell them about your specific project and find out if they are available and interested. Ask for literature on the firm and previous projects, so that you can examine the qualifications, experience, and education of each firm before making a choice. If a firm is unable to do your project, ask if they can recommend another architect that is capable and might be interested. This will help you narrow the list of possibilities to just a few. The next step is to interview the architects on the short list. This step is critical to finding the right architect for you and your project. The relationship between you and the architect should be comfortable and friendly. You will be dealing with them for an extended time usually, so good chemistry is important. There may be a fee for the interview, so you should ask when you set it up if there is any cost involved. Each interview should take about an hour, unless your project is very large or complex and then it may take longer. Make sure you meet the person who will be in charge of your project, and insist on references. Find out the experience the firm has with projects similar to yours, and how interested the firm is in taking on your project. Discuss the project budget and any fees or costs that the firm will charge. Find out the approach that will be used for your 
project, and whether the firm is capable of the project you want done. It is also a good idea to insist on viewing one completed project the architect has done, in addition to the references. This will allow you to see firsthand exactly what the architect is capable of.
During the interview, discussing the fees and costs involved is important. Unlike many professionals, architects do not have a set fee or cost for every project. Instead, a confusing mix of payment methods may be used. It is important to know the fee schedule and setup before you choose the perfect architect, so you can compare the costs in the evaluation. Each architect will determine the total costs depending on the specific project. The billing methods used can vary. Some projects may be charged an hourly rate for the professional services, while others may be charged a specific amount of money for each unit being constructed. At times a flat fee for the entire project may be charged, and other projects may set a percentage of the construction costs as the fee. An architect can use one or several of these methods, so it is important to have this discussion even if it makes you uncomfortable.
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Finding the right architect depends on many factors, and the final choice you make from the list of possible architects will depend on all of these factors together. When you hire an architect, you are paying for their professional services and not the finished project. This makes it important that the one you choose understands what the project is about and the desired results. Every architect will have their own unique experiences, education, qualifications,
technical expertise, judgement, and creativity. You will want to choose an architect whose creativity and skills closely match what you are looking for. An architect who specializes in apartment units or commercial buildings may not be the best choice for your custom home build or renovation, because they may have years of experience but it is not with projects similar to the one you want.
It is important that you choose an architect you will get along with and see things the same way. Building or remodeling can be stressful, and this is doubled if there are personality or creativity conflicts with the architect you have chosen. This is also true if you are not happy with the pace or the results of the project. It is important to do your homework and choose wisely when finding the perfect architect for your project, otherwise you may end up paying too much, increasing your levels of stress and aggravation, and being unhappy with the finished project results.
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