When interviewing an architect, you should come prepared to ask questions and answer questions. Here are a few questions you can have ready.
The owner’s questions:
- “What is the process from initiating your architectural services through the completion of construction? Tell me about each milestone and help me understand the responsibilities and timeline.” If you have never worked with an architect this is the most important question you can ask in your interview. Architects typically have 5 distinct phases of work: Pre-design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, and Construction Administration. An experienced architect can break down these milestones in a way that allows you to understand what their responsibility will be and the time it will take.
- “What are the actual deliverables you will provide? What will I be paying for?” This is linked to the milestones discussed previously. At Ex Nihilo Architecture, we include a list of deliverables inside of our proposal to clearly establish expectations. For example, among many things, the Schematic Design Package includes a Conceptual Site Plan. In the Design Development Package, that Site Plan becomes more defined. The most developed Site Plan will be delivered with the Construction Documents Package and that drawing will be stamped “For Permit” by a Civil Engineer.
- “If I were to hire you, how do you participate in the design, the production of the construction drawings, and the process of construction?” Knowing who would be working on your project is beneficial. Is the architect going to sketch a floor plan and send it off to their in-house drafter; or, will the architect be intimately involved in every step of the process?
- “Tell me a little about your experience. Have you completed projects with a similar size, scope, nature, or style?” Although this question is the most obvious, this is probably the least important question because licensed architects are trained to be versatile. We translate work experience from one project to another. For example, let’s say an architect has experience in townhomes. Does that mean they are not able to provide you with a wonderful master suite addition to your existing home? Of course not! The real experience of designing townhomes translates very well to home additions. You are still dealing with the same code, scale, and essential desire to satisfy the person living in the space. Likewise, an architect can have commercial work experience in retail developments. That experience translates well into designing an office building. Again, we are working with the same code and still aiming at pleasing the user. The architect you want, the one that has the greatest ability to give you the most unique and customized building, will be the architect who is kept on her toes. The enemy of creativity is repetition. A diverse portfolio will benefit you, as the Owner, the most.
When interviewing an architect, you are the client are also being interviewed. Be ready to answer questions like the following.
The architect’s questions:
- “What are your project goals?” In most cases, potential clients will reply with, “the budget!” That is a given. Outside of keeping your project under budget, think about what you really value. Maybe you want a mountain home that is extremely quiet and warm with low energy costs. …Maybe you want a multi-generational home. …Maybe you want an office building where every occupant’s workstation has a connection to the outdoors with an operable window or a view. …Maybe you need a warehouse where access to inventory is extremely efficient for forklifts.
- “What is your all-in budget?” This includes any land development, construction costs, professional fees, and permitting fees. Architects have to ask because they need to thoroughly understand the scope of work.
- “What is your project timeline?” If your timeline is not realistic, your architect can address this based on their availability and their understanding of the time it will take for construction.
- “How will this work be funded?” Yes, it is personal. Sorry. Architects need to know that the work they are about to take on can be funded. There is no way to avoid it.
- “Are you speaking to any other architects? If so, how many?” It is no surprise that you would be considering multiple architects for your project. But, knowing how many architects you are talking to is important.
- “Have you worked with other architects or designers before? If so, how did that work out?” Is this your first time? Your architect will probably be more helpful in letting you know what to expect. If this is not your first time, the architect will ask this to get to know you better. What worked? What did not work? What would you have changed from that previous project?
- “What if the work costs more than you expect? How will that be handled?” Architects do not control construction costs and knowing how you handle these critical moments is invaluable. Will the project have to stop or will you be interested in a Value Engineering effort to reduce costs?
- “Who will be making the design decisions?” Architects often want to know who they will be working with before a project begins. Knowing if you have to get approval from one or two people is a completely different experience than getting approval from a committee. Committees take more time and it has to be accounted for in the work hours.
- “How did you hear about me?” This is just super helpful for architects to know.