FINDING THE PERFECT local architect for your project is not always easy, but it’s necessary if you have any chance of coming out of your project with all your nerves intact. We’ve put together a simple five-point checklist to help get you started. First things first. How do you find the perfect local architect for your project?
Ask Your Friends and Family
If you’re not already familiar with an architectural firm, then the obvious place to start is by reaching out to someone you know and trust. Hopefully you know someone who recently completed a construction project. Ask them who they used, and most importantly, if they were pleased with their choice. The next best person is the neighbor down the street who recently completed an addition. Or, if you know a contractor ask him. Contractors typically have their “go to” architects they like to use on their own projects.
Consult Your State Licensing Department
Every state has a department that is responsible for regulating and maintaining the licenses of professionals within their state. Typically this responsibility falls under the department of labor, but not always. In any event, it’s a good place to start. Usually the records are kept in alphabetical order under the business’ name, but you might get lucky and find that there is also a listing by region or county. While you’re at it, look to see if any firms have had their license suspended or revoked in the past for disciplinary reasons.
Check the Internet
There was a time when people consulted the yellow pages to find businesses. Today it’s the internet. The equivalent to the yellow pages on line is Yelp. There you will find a generic list of local architects — although not close to being complete. But it will get you started. And when you contact firms be sure to ask three questions: 1.) Do they have experience with the design of my type of project; 2.) Are you interested in participating in a project with my budget; and, 3.) Can you commit to effectively spending full time on my project without interruption.
Interview Several Architects
Here’s the tricky part. Architecture involves a lot of technical knowledge. That’s primarily what architects are tested on when they apply for licensing. But it is also equally a creative profession, and that aspect of the profession lends itself to “big egos” for many architects. Watch for the ego when you interview architects for your project. Architects will tell you they can design any type of building — and for the most part that it true. But it is far better if you retain an architect who has actually designed what you are interested in having built. Be careful of this as well — even if the firm has designed your type of project in the past, ask if the architect who designed that project is still with the firm. Ask them to show you examples of their work, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a project whose design you really like. A good architect designs for the client and not for his own tastes.
Contact Former Clients
This should be obvious. If your preferred architect can’t supply you with a list of at least three past clients who completed a project similar to yours, be weary. And, if past clients with whom you speak are hesitant to tell you that the architect was responsive to their needs, look elsewhere. A happy client should reflect that in their tone of voice. We once had a client whose contractor was less than competent and blamed The Seip Group for everything that went wrong with the construction. We were concerned enough that after the project was completed we purposed to contact the client to see if they felt any concern about our firm. Before we could place the call the client had referred us to three other people they knew. We were awarded all three projects.