QUESTIONS WE ASKED IN OUR ARCHITECT INTERVIEWS

Here were the questions we asked in our architect interviews:

1. Are you interested in our project / do you have the availability to take this project on?

2. Tell us your story; how many years experience do you have?

3. How many homes have you designed in this similar style?

4. How do your contracts work?

   1. What are your architectural fees / fee structure?

      1. *TIP: If the architect uses a structure using 'percentage of the total build cost', it does not incentivize them to keep cost down.

   2. If we already had a floorplan and just needed you to improve it and do the specifications, how would that improve our price?

   3. What drawings are included in your construction document set?

   4. Are your drawings stamped?

5. Can you provide references?

6. Are you insured?

7. Who will I be working with at the firm?

   1. Communication/meeting process; frequency?

   2. How many projects will they have at the same time?

8. What is your design process?

   1. How long will the process take?

9. How do you confirm the structural integrity of the plans? Will we have to hire an engineer separately?

10. When does the builder join your projects?

    1. We want a very edgy design while still maintaining our budget. How close are you to staying on budget in your plans?

    2. What is your experience with cost estimating?

       1. What does your cost estimating process look like?

    3. Are revisions free if the builder confirms the plans are over budget?

       1. What about if there is an error in the plan?

       2. How do you manage changes during the build process?

11. What do you provide to explain the project?

    1. Models, renderings, sketches, 3D virtual walk through?

    2. If not included, how much to get those?

    3. How do you incorporate the land terrain/elevation data in the 3D model?

12. How do you best determine house orientation with property views / sunlight exposure?

13. Are you experienced in environmentally friendly homes?

14. Do you also design any of the landscaping or interiors?

    1. Do you draw preliminary furniture on the plans?

15. Do you incorporate lighting or electrical in your plans?

16. Do you have the right to sell our plans to other people or could they stay ours?

17. Do you stay involved throughout the construction process?

    1. Are site visits during construction included?

18. Would you collaborate with an interior designer and builder we select? Do you have any you would recommend?

When calling references we would ask:

1. Tell us about your experience with this person/firm.

2. Were they on budget?

3. On time?

4. Did any build issues come from the drawings?

5. How was communication?

6. Were you satisfied overall?

Good luck! :)

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