3 minute read
Meeting Your Match
Pro tips for finding the perfect architect for your project—and personality.
BY ISABELLE JOHNSON
AFTER PLENTY OF TOURS, you’ve finally found a house that has the potential to be your dream home— with a few alterations. Whether you want to add living space in the basement, open up the main floor plan, or take on an even bigger project, working with the right architect is key. To find your ideal match, heed the advice of some pros in the know.
When it comes to the initial search, Windermere Real Estate broker (and trained architect) Wendy Indvik and Jeffrey Pelletier, founder and principal of Board & Vellum architecture firm, both say you should solicit referrals from friends and family as well as online reviews. Indvik also suggests walking
through potential architects’ completed projects, if at all possible. “You want to make sure that you’ve seen projects that they’ve done that you like, and that you can imagine living in,” she says. “Then check out their references both in the world of building with contractors as well as their former clients.” More importantly, they both recommend talking to several architects. “It will help you understand the different range of firms that are out there and how they can help you,” Pelletier says.
With a few choices in mind, it’s time to open up communication. Start with a casual email inquiry, which Indvik notes is better for keeping records in the long run. “Initially, it makes sense to email the architect with a list of your project parameters and what you’re looking for, and see how they respond,” Pelletier says. “How they respond is going to tell you a lot about how they treat clients and how important your project could be to them.”
If things are looking good, then set up a time to meet in person. According to Pelletier, one of the first questions you should ask is why the architect wants to work on your project. “You should find someone that really matches up with what your goals are,” Pelletier says. Other questions he recommends asking include what other team members you might be working with, how the architect handles the budget, when they can start, and why you should hire their firm over another.
As you discuss your project and expectations, listen for potential red flags. A big one for Indvik is an architect’s inability to effectively communicate and help you visualize potential design concepts. As for Pelletier, he warns against architects who offer to start a project immediately or who rush through an on-site consultation. “If I’m just running through someone’s house giving free design advice, that advice is worth as much as you pay for— which is nothing,” he says.
And that leads to another key consideration: fees, which can differ dramatically depending on the scope of the construction project and how the firm structures the costs for their services. “Every architect does it a little differently; some bill straight hourly fees, others a fixed fee, and still others a percentage of construction costs,” Pelletier says. To avoid any surprises on later invoices, Pelletier says you and your architect need to talk openly about your project goals from the beginning, and make sure the pertinent details are documented.
In the end though, choosing an architect often comes down to personal preference, or as Indvik puts it, “a gut feeling.” Pelletier agrees, comparing the search for the right architect to dating. Although everything from the scope of the project to the way the architect works with the contractor must be considered, Pelletier says the most critical factor is arguably how your personalities click. “Most clients know when it’s the right fit,” he says. “It just feels natural.”
–Wendy Indvik
