Looking for the right architect is an important process. No matter what project you have in mind, it is crucial that you find an architect that you can work with. That being said, there are several ways you can go about searching for an architect. However, some ways are better than others.
With that in mind, we will help you find the right architect in no time. One thing you should do with every potential architect is to interview them and ask them specific questions. Interviewing an architect is more important than you might think, even if the architect in question was recommended by one of your family members or friends.
We will go over specific architect questions that will help you gain more insight if you can work with an architect or not. Now, without any more delay, here are the best 9 architect interview questions to ask an architect.
Things to Ask Your Architect
Considering that every architect is different, at the core they still operate on the same basis. Keeping that in mind, here are the interview architect questions to ask any architecture firm in Nashville.
#1 Basic Design Process
As we have just mentioned, every architect is different in their own way. However, the basic architectural design process has 4 phases. These phases are programming, schematic design, design development, and lastly construction drawings. Even though the process usually goes the same way, every architect has their own unique method to manage it.
Even if you will not be doing the design-build it is important to find the common ground with your architect and understand how the process will go from start until finish.
#2 The Time to Finish the Project
For a project to stay on track and go smoothly without problems, planning out the basics is important. Ask your architect when they can start to work on your project and the prediction of how long it will take. Also, discuss how much time you will have to review the plans and make some changes if necessary. If anything gets delayed, the deadline for the entire project will be pushed back. If this happens it will only cost you more in the end.
#3 Ask About Experience
Another one of the great questions to ask your architect is about their experience. This might come as expected, however, try to ask for some specifics. For example, ask them if they have any experience working in the area you are living in. Each and every area that has different jurisdiction also has different guidelines for architects. If it is their first time working in your area, then they might not know about every requirement which can be problematic if they forget about something.
#4 How Will They Charge You?
Choosing the cheapest option is never a good idea when you are looking for an architect. However, it is important that you know how much everything is going to cost. Architectural fees are confusing, to say the least. With that in mind, ask your architect if they will be charging you on an hourly basis, a percentage of the entire cost, a stipulated sum, or based on the square footage. This way you will always know the final cost.
#5 Hidden Fees
This is something you need to be extra careful about. Many architectural firms have hidden costs that you only find out about at the end of the project. Usually, these firms will offer a variety of different services that include different costs and fees. For example, you can go for a builder set which is mostly used for a design-build. On the other hand, there is a full service which includes a design done by an architect which specifies everything that will go into the house.
As you can probably tell, a full service is more expensive as it takes longer to complete everything.
#6 Budgeting
Asking about how the architect will manage your budget is a must. Setting a budget for a project is important but even more so is keeping everything inside the set budget. This is why you need to have a talk with your architect about the budget and how they will manage everything according to it.
#7 Involvement
Determine how much your architect will be involved in the project from start to finish. This will mainly depend on what your needs are. For example, an architect can simply draft your plans, hand them over to you and be done. On the other hand, an architect can stay involved until the project is completed. It is important that you figure this out with your architect at the start of the project.
#8 Who Will Manage the Project
Who will be the person you contact during the project? Having someone you can contact at any given time is crucial. An architect should be able to fill in that role for you during the plan drafting. Lack of communication will only result in unnecessary problems.
#9 Can They Recommend a Builder or a Contractor
When you are starting out the project, chances are you do not know any builders or contractors. Asking your architect if they know any that they have previously worked with can save you a lot of time and effort. If they have enough experience, it is most likely that they know a lot of builders and contractors that they have worked with in the past and can recommend someone good.
