Are you in need of an architect? Here are the steps that you should follow in order to find the right one for you.
Compile a list
You need to compile a list of the most reputable architects that you have come across or heard of. If you don’t know of any professional, you should ask your friends or family members to refer you to the ones that they know of. When you get a recommendation, you should visit the building and inspect the quality of the construction.
You should also consult a number of people who have worked with the architect and find out if the architect is easy to work with. You should also enquire if the architect completed the project on time and whether he/she stayed within budget.
If you like the work of the professional you should get his/her contact information and contact him later for an interview.
Hold your interviews
It’s good to start with phone interviews. When doing the interview you should remember that architects are highly paid professionals; therefore, you shouldn’t waste a lot of the professional’s time.
To be on the safe side you should have a list of questions that you would like to ask. A good architect will take his/her time to answer your questions. You should ask questions on experience, design principles, and anything else that you feel necessary.
After doing the phone interview, you should narrow down your list to three or five top candidates who answered your questions correctly. You should then schedule time to meet in person. When you meet, you should ask more questions that touch on services offered, design principles, fees charged and insurance.
To save money, you should work with an architect who offers a full range of services. For example, he should offer schematic design, bid assistance, construction documents, design development, and construction administration.
When it comes to the fees charged, it’s good to note that some architects charge an hourly rate while others have a fixed charge. If the professional charges an hourly rate, you should find out if there is a maximum guaranteed cost.
Conclusion
These are the steps that you should follow in selecting the right architect for your house plan. After interviewing all the professionals, you should take your time and compare them.
To make your decision you should consider the professionalism and personality of the candidate. As rule of thumb the architect should be professional and at the same time fun to work with.
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