How do you select an architect?
Selecting an architect is not unlike selecting a doctor, dentist or attorney. Friends and business acquaintances can be a key source of information. A reliable way to select an architect is to seek recommendations from people whose judgment you respect.
As you ask for recommendations, one or several architects may emerge as strong candidates for your project. Make appointments to interview the leading contenders. You can view slides and photos of their work. You may also wish to visit some of their projects. At the project sites, talk to the owners, particularly if they were the architect's clients. Also, contact the references each architect has provided.
When you are viewing slides and photos or visiting projects, remember that your requirements are yours alone. Your needs and desires are different; and the resulting design solution will be as well.
After I've talked with several architects, how do I make the final selection?
Of course, you must like the architect's work. The architect also should show genuine enthusiasm for your project. An equally important consideration is simply how well you and the architect get along. Do you communicate freely with each other? The importance of good "chemistry" between architect and client cannot be over-emphasized. Competence, interest and chemistry are major considerations in making the final selection.
Once you have made your selection, you and your architect should discuss your requirements and expectations thoroughly. Make sure you approach budget and time requirements realistically. The architect should tell you more about their firm and their methodology. You and the architect should agree on the professional services they will perform as well as the responsibilities you will undertake. The more information you exchange, the smoother the project will run and the closer the result will come to meeting your requirements and expectations.
A contract between you and your architect will finalize the selection process. The use of a written contract is advised; oral agreements and understandings can suffer from faded memories.
By using this approach, you will be on the way to a successful project; one that will give you great satisfaction for years to come.
As you ask for recommendations, one or several architects may emerge as strong candidates for your project. Make appointments to interview the leading contenders. You can view slides and photos of their work. You may also wish to visit some of their projects. At the project sites, talk to the owners, particularly if they were the architect's clients. Also, contact the references each architect has provided.
When you are viewing slides and photos or visiting projects, remember that your requirements are yours alone. Your needs and desires are different; and the resulting design solution will be as well.
After I've talked with several architects, how do I make the final selection?
Of course, you must like the architect's work. The architect also should show genuine enthusiasm for your project. An equally important consideration is simply how well you and the architect get along. Do you communicate freely with each other? The importance of good "chemistry" between architect and client cannot be over-emphasized. Competence, interest and chemistry are major considerations in making the final selection.
Once you have made your selection, you and your architect should discuss your requirements and expectations thoroughly. Make sure you approach budget and time requirements realistically. The architect should tell you more about their firm and their methodology. You and the architect should agree on the professional services they will perform as well as the responsibilities you will undertake. The more information you exchange, the smoother the project will run and the closer the result will come to meeting your requirements and expectations.
A contract between you and your architect will finalize the selection process. The use of a written contract is advised; oral agreements and understandings can suffer from faded memories.
By using this approach, you will be on the way to a successful project; one that will give you great satisfaction for years to come.
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