Questions to Ask Your Architect

Architecturally Designed Homes and You

An excerpt from AIA Minnesota’s brochure about working with an architect

Architects want to create the design for your new living space that meets your space needs, your budget, and your sense of pride in ownership. The process begins with a self-assessment of what you want and need and how to find the architect that’s right for you. Working together you’ll develop a design for your project that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Architects are licensed by state governments to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. They’re trained to solve problems and to give shape and form to the space you need. The architect’s services are an investment, not an added cost, because his or her designs can capture energy savings, can improve the efficiency and productivity of your home life, and can add market value to your property because good design sells.

Think through carefully what your project requirements are. If you don’t know about the entire design process, contact AIA Minnesota at 612-338-6763 or reference aia-mn.org. AIA Minnesota has extensive resources to aid in your selection of an architect including a descriptive directory of architectural firms. And AIA can explain in detail what architects do, how they are paid, and why they are needed.

Creation of a new home, or renovation of an older one, is an inherently exciting process. The secret to its success lies in the relationship you and your architect establish with one another. Minnesota’s architects and firms are waiting to work with you.

20 Questions to Ask your Minnesota Architect

If you are considering tapping the resource of an architect for your next new home or remodeling project, AIA recommends you ask the following questions.

1 What does the architect see as important issues or considerations in our project? What are the challenges of the project?

2 How will the architect approach our project? What process will be used?

3 How will the architect gather information about our needs, goals, etc.?

4 How will the architect establish priorities and make decisions?

5 Who from the architecture firm will we be dealing with directly? Is that the same person who will be designing the project? Who will be designing our project?

6 Is the architect truly interested in this project?

7 How busy is the architect? Can our project comfortably fit in with other office projects?

8 What sets this architect apart from the rest? Will there be effective communications? Is there good “chemistry?”

9 How does the architect establish fees?

10 What would the architect expect the fee to be for our project?

11 What are the steps in the design process?

12 How does the architect organize the process?

13 What does the architect expect us to provide?

14 What is the architect’s design philosophy?

15 What is the architect’s experience/track record with cost estimating?

16 What will the architect show us along the way to explain the project? Will we see sketches, drawings, or models?

17 If the scope of the project changes later in the project, will there be additional fees? How will these fees be justified?

18 What services does the architect provide during construction?

19 How disruptive will construction be? How long is it expected to take to complete our project?

20 Does the architect have a list of past clients that the firm has worked with?

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