Top 10 questions to ask before hiring an architect
- polly9897
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Making the decision to overhaul your property is a big one.
For many people, building a property, or undertaking a hefty renovation is a once in a lifetime undertaking, so engaging with an architect isn’t exactly an everyday occurrence… it’s no surprise it can feel a bit baffling.
Finding the right architect is really important though, this relationship could make or break your project. Get it right, you can see your vision come to life. But get it wrong… well, you could be living with the (expensive) consequences for a very long time!
So, how do you know what to look for, what to ask, and importantly, what to avoid. We’ve put together this guide with our top ten questions that we think everyone should be asking before engaging with an architect.
1. Have you worked on projects like mine before?
Every architect has a different portfolio. Some might be experts in contemporary urban homes, others in rural barn conversions, others in eco-friendly green spaces. Work out what you are looking for from your project, and then ask if the professional if their experience matches what you’re planning.
Architects will have a portfolio of completed projects that should give you a good idea of where their strengths lie, and whether their approach aligns with what you have in mind. If you are unsure whether they have the experience, keep looking until you find someone who has tackled similar.
2. What’s your design philosophy?
This may sound like waffle, but understanding an architect’s design philosophy – the key guidelines that drives how they like end-products to look – is important. You will have a vision in mind, and it’s important that your vision aligns with that of your architects!
Some professionals excel at sleek minimalistic builds, others – like us here at Nick Gardner Architecture – are more led by the character of the existing building, or its surroundings. Finding someone who shares your vision for your project is key.
3. What’s included in your fee?
Not all architects offer the same scope of service, so don’t let yourself get caught out with an assumption that you know what bang you’ll be getting for your buck.
Some provide initial designs and then leave you do it. Some guide you from concept through to construction, including planning applications, building regulations, tendering, and site inspections. Clarifying what’s included upfront avoids confusion (and surprise fees!) down the line.
Whilst it can be tempting to go for the lowest cost options, take note - a very low fee can mean that there will be less time to explore options with your Architect, and work out the best bespoke solution, the last thing you want to end up with is a 'cookie cutter' solution!
Nick Gardner Architecture works to a fixed fee, divided into each of the key design stages. allowing us to give clarity on fees from the start. This allows for plenty of time to be spent working together at the early design stages to ensure that the design is tailored to your individual needs and budget.
4. How do you charge for your work?
Money is always an awkward conversation, but how important to have early on in proceedings. Architects typically charge in one of three ways: as a percentage of the total build cost, a fixed fee for defined services, or an hourly rate for consultancy or smaller pieces of work. Understanding their pricing structure (and what it includes) will help you budget realistically.
Clarify whether the fee includes VAT, how extra work is billed, and if there are any likely third-party costs like surveys, planning fees, or engineers.
5. Will I be working with directly with one architect?
A strong client-architect relationship is built on trust, clarity, and regular dialogue so knowing who’s on the other end of the phone matters. Don’t be afraid to ask whether your project will be allocated into a team, or whether you’ll be working directly with one person.
If you're meeting with a larger practice, the person you meet at the start may not be your main point of contact throughout the project. It's important to know who will be managing your design and overseeing day-to-day communication. Many people prefer to work with independent professionals so that they know the person they are speaking with is sure to known the ins and outs of their project.
At Nick Gardner Architecture, all projects are designed and managed by Nick. Your project will not be delegated or outsourced, you can be confident of one single point of contact throughout the entire design process.
6. How do you manage the planning process?
Ah, planning departments – everyone’s favourite part of a project! Navigating planning permission can be tricky, but the right architect will not only understand local regulations and policies, but also have experience working with your local authority.
They’ll know how to present your proposal in the best possible light, anticipate objections, and guide you through any challenges – in this instance, working with local businesses really does have huge advantages. Be sure to ask how the architect has handled tricky applications in the past, and if they’d foresee any immediate hiccups with yours.
7. How do you help manage budgets and timelines?
While no project is completely immune to delays or unexpected costs (you never know what’s round the corner, after all!), your architect should be helping you stay on top of both. Having an understanding of how they estimate costs, build in contingencies and flag budget risks early is very important.
A realistic architect will help protect your budget, not just spend it! However, it is vitally important that you are honest about your budget upfront. Being clear will allow them to help you allocate the relevant funds for non-negotiables early on in proceedings!
8. What happens if something goes wrong?
You want to trust your architect, but you also need to know you’re protected. Every professional architect should carry Professional Indemnity Insurance and use clear, written contracts. Ask how issues are handled and how they manage disputes or scope changes during a project.
A confident, professional architect will be happy to talk about risk and how they mitigate it.
9. What’s the first step after hiring?
This may be new to you, but you would hope that the process isn’t new to them!
Your potentially architect partner should be happy to take the lead in guiding your through an onboarding process, and you should leave your initial conversation confident in knowing what happens next.
This will differ project to project, and professional to professional, but one this should be for sure, you should be in no doubt as to the next steps, and what you are responsible for.
10: Can I work with this architect?
As with anything, sometimes you just have to go with your gut feelings!
Whilst there are plenty of technical elements involved in hiring an architect, ultimately this person is someone you have to connect with on a creative as well as technical level, and if you don’t feel that ‘spark’, well, it might be worth continuing your search…
That said, don't forget to check the paperwork too! Check that your chosen architect is professionally registered at the Architects Registration Board. All UK architects must be registered here, and will have obtained the professional qualifications to practice.
Comments