So you’ve decided on a project and checked out the websites of a few local architects, and now it’s time for your initial architect consultation.
Whether you’re taking advantage of a free consultation or paying an architect for her time, how well prepared you are for that first meeting can make the difference between a project that goes smoothly and one bedeviled by unpleasant surprises.
Here’s how to prepare so you can make the most of an architect consultation:
Identify Your Goals & Budget
Even if you only have a basic idea of your project, it will help if you can bring some specific goals to your initial architect consultation.
For example, telling your potential architect that you want to “redo the kitchen” doesn’t give her much idea of what you really want from the finished project. As you prepare for your consultation, try asking yourself a few simple questions, such as:
What do I want to do in the space that I can’t easily do now?
For a kitchen, the answer might be, prepare meals together with my partner, or cook for large parties. For a new office space, you might want more room to expand your staff. For a retail store, you might want to improve customer flow to give your best products more exposure.
The more specific you can be, the more your architect will have to work with as she comes up with ideas for your project.
What is my biggest concern with this project?
It’s natural to have fears and concerns when you’re contemplating a major building or remodeling project – or even a minor one.
I like to know what kinds of worries are likely to keep my clients up at night so I can plan to address them from the very beginning of the project. Common concerns to bring up at the initial architect consultation include:
- Are you worried about how you’ll afford to build your dream?
- How will the time out of your space affect your life or business?
- Do you feel overwhelmed with too many choices to make?
Anything that concerns you about your project is worth discussing up front with your architect.
How do I see the architect’s and my roles in the project?
Some people like to be involved in every aspect of a project, from approving plans to hiring contractors to getting permits. Others prefer a hands-off approach, letting the architect handle as much as possible without bothering the client. Many clients fall somewhere in between.
At the initial consultation, let the architect know what aspects of the project particularly interest you or if you have ideas or related experience you hope to bring to the project. Your architect should also tell you how she works best and how she sees your interests and experience benefitting the project.
Defining roles is an important part of project planning, and it’s helpful to know what everyone’s expectations are and how you envision working together as you move forward.
What to Bring to an Architect Consultation
Photos or drawings of your ideas, even if they seem out of reach. Bring images of your dislikes, too.
If you have images you like, bring them. Even if you believe your project could never look like that, it can be helpful to know what kinds of things inspire you. If you know what you don’t want, it’s a good idea to bring those images, too. Your architect should be honest with you about what is and isn’t achievable, and you might be surprised about what options she can bring to the table to make your dream a reality.
For a remodel, bring photos of the current space.
Fortunately, many clients come to their initial meeting with me with lots of images of what they hope their finished project will look like, but surprisingly few remember to bring photos of what the space they want to remodel currently looks like.
I can give clients a much better picture of what we can achieve if I have an accurate idea of what we’re starting with. Photos that show the space’s floorplan and the placement of any structural elements – windows, supporting walls, unusual angles, etc. – that could affect your plans are helpful.
Your real budget.
People are sometimes shy about revealing what they can and can’t afford, but it’s unnecessary.
Your architect’s goal should be the same as yours: to build something as close as possible to your dream in a reasonable amount of time for a price you can afford. If you have an absolute limit, let your architect know up front. If you have some wiggle room to negotiate the inevitable trade-offs between what you really want and what you can afford, tell her. Withholding information about your budget only prevents your architect from planning efficiently to meet your needs,
On the flip side, an ethical architect won’t mislead you about what things will cost. While estimating final cost can be tricky, she should be honest when she thinks something is out of reach with your budget. As with any process, be wary of anyone who promises you the moon for a price that seems too good to be true.
Your questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask all your questions at your initial architect consultation. Some people are embarrassed when they don’t know something they think they should, but even if you think the answer to a question is obvious, ask it. Your architect doesn’t expect you to be knowledgeable about the sometimes-complex process of designing and building something.
Common questions include:
- What is your experience with my kind of project?
- How do you charge for your services?
- How long do you think my project will take?
- What interests you about this project?
- What challenges do you foresee with this project?
- Who else will likely need to work on my project?
- What will you need from me to move the project forward?
- What should I know about your process?
Respect for your architect’s professionalism.
A mutually respectful relationship is an essential ingredient in any successful architectural project. Your architect should inspire feelings of trust for her professional ethics and respect for her knowledge and professionalism. If not, you should find a new architect.
You are the expert in your needs and expectations; she is the expert in how to meet them safely, efficiently and cost-effectively. If there is disagreement, respectful discussion and honest communication can usually resolve it.
Your hopes and dreams.
The projects I’m most excited about are generally the ones my clients are most excited about. Even a small project can inspire me if it has the potential to make someone happy or to solve a serious problem for a client.
Your hopes and dreams are what motivate your architect to do her best work, so share them freely. Let your architect know what fills you with joy and makes you want to get up in the morning.
This post first ran in 2019.