If you are working on a large-scale residential construction project, such as designing a self-build, the chances are that you will need to work with an architect. Architects are a key component of any building application, as they are responsible for taking design concepts and bringing them to life with complex plans and technical drawings.
A skilled residential architect will transform your project and help to make your design visions a reality, so it’s important to find someone you enjoy working with and trust with your upcoming project.
If you’ve never worked with an architect before, you may be wondering about best practices and how to make the most of the service. Knowing how to prepare for meetings with your architect, what questions to ask and what your responsibilities are during the planning process can help to take the stress out of your project. What’s more, this will also help your architect to truly understand your requirements!
With this in mind, here are seven top tips for hiring and working efficiently with an experienced and highly-skilled residential architect.
Do your research before hiring an architect
This is the most important step you can take to ensure a successful professional relationship between you and your architect. Every architectural firm will have their own practices and way of doing things, so even if you’ve worked with an architect before, this experience may be different from the last.
A project is much more likely to go well if you feel comfortable enough to ask your architect questions and trust them enough to take their professional advice. Establishing a great working relationship will be much easier if you do your research to find a great architect with lots of positive reviews from previous clients!
We also recommend hiring an architect with project management experience. Once the designs for your new home, extension or loft conversion have been set and the construction work begins, you will appreciate the support and professional expertise of a skilled architect to oversee the building process.
For more advice, check out our top tips for finding the right architect for your project.
Think carefully about the needs of your project
Knowing what you want from your project will help your architect to better comprehend what is expected of them. If you can articulate your design preferences and requirements effectively, he or she will be in a much better position to turn your ideas into accurate building design plans.
Before the project begins, write a comprehensive brief that covers everything you want from your new building or extension. For example, if you’re building a house, start by asking yourself questions such as the following:
● How many bedrooms do I require?
● Do I want a large living room or would I prefer to use the available space for a huge kitchen?
● Are there any specific features that I want, such as a bathroom that overlooks the garden?
These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself before meeting with your residential architect. Make sure the finished product is clear in your mind so that there’s a solid starting point for everyone else involved in the construction process.
Discuss your budget with your architect
How much you can spend will be one of the first topics of discussion between you and your architectural firm. After all, understanding your budget will help your architect to draw realistic construction plans that encapsulate your design dreams but won’t cost more than you can afford.
It’s extremely important to think carefully about your budget before the project begins, taking into consideration the cost of the architectural work, building services, interior design solutions and any other services you require. You will also need to factor in the cost of any relevant taxes and insurance fees.
When finding the perfect architect for your project, ask about their experience of delivering projects and meeting client budgets. It’s important to know that you’re working with someone who doesn’t have a track record of designing buildings that far exceed the quoted costs.
Sign a contract before the project begins
It’s best practice to sign a building contract with your architect before the project begins. This will lay out the responsibilities of both parties and will not only protect your architectural firm but also protect you throughout the planning process. The contract should also include the quote that you have both agreed upon with a breakdown of the architectural firms’ fees.
It’s important to make sure you read the agreement carefully before signing it. A signed contract will make sure you are both aware of your obligations and expectations and make sure you receive the best possible service from your chosen architect.
Ask plenty of questions before and during the project
Unless you have lots of architectural experience, there are likely to be lots of terms and practices used that you aren’t quite sure of. Your residential architect will expect this and will be on hand to explain the process more clearly, but having your own understanding will also help! You will inevitably learn more about architecture as your project progresses, but the last thing you want is to agree to something that you don’t fully understand.
A quick online search will pull up some of the most commonly used architectural phrases, but don’t forget to clarify your understanding with your architect just in case. You’re making a huge investment, so there’s no such thing as a stupid or irrelevant question.
Respect your architect’s professional advice
You’re hiring an architect for their professional expertise, so it pays to listen and consider their advice! Of course, there may be some aspects of the project that you want to think about in lots of detail before making a decision – but a highly-skilled architect will be able to guide your decision-making process.
Remember – your residential architect will have experience in working on lots of construction projects similar to your own. They will also be able to identify if the project is likely to go over budget or discuss your design ideas in detail to help you figure out whether they are right for you.
Listening to your residential architect’s advice is extremely important, so make sure to hire someone you trust. This is key to making sure your construction project runs smoothly without going way over budget.
Agree how often you would like to communicate
Whenever you work closely with someone, like a residential architect, it’s sensible to establish how often you would like to communicate with each other. Deciding what works for both parties beforehand will make everything run more efficiently and prevent communication-related hiccups. The last thing either of you wants is to keep missing each other’s phone calls.
How often you communicate will depend on your project’s timeframe and how far along the construction process is. For example, you will probably communicate more regularly during the initial building design stages of the project. Make sure to discuss with your architect if you feel you need to communicate more or less often, as this will make sure you’re both on the same page.
Integrated Designs & Associates: Residential architects and building project managers in Birmingham
If you’re beginning your search for a residential architect you can rely on to bring your design dreams to life, then you needn’t look further than Integrated Designs & Associates. Based in Birmingham, we are proud to work alongside a dedicated team of professional architects, structural engineers and geotechnical engineers with the skills and expertise to turn vision into reality.
Whether you’re planning a self-build or extending your home, choose the residential architects at Integrated Designs & Associates for exceptional service. To learn more about our architectural and engineering services in Birmingham, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to working with you.
