Getting a Leg Up.
Have you purchased a custom home lot and want to start interviewing potential architects for your project? A great way to help the process go more smoothly is to know what to ask your architect.
I have developed a list of the top 5 questions to ask your architect in an interview, they are:
1. Do you have experience designing custom homes?
Your architect may have a lot of experience but is it the right kind of experience? They may have experience designing commercial or industrial projects but custom homes are a different animal. They should have at least 5 years of experience designing custom homes. Often times, residential projects require more hands on service with the client as this may be their first time working with an architect.
2. Do you have experience working with Design Review Committees?
Most custom home lots are located within communities that have CC & R's or design review committees. The process of submitting and reviewing plans with a design review committee can be very daunting if your architect has never worked within the requirements of CC & R's or design review committees?
3. Do you have time to devote to this project?
What is the current work load of the architect you are interviewing? They could be great at designing custom homes but do they have the time to devote to your project. Ask your architect to produce a time line for completion of the plans.
4. Do you have a list of related residential projects and references?
Your architect should have a list of residential projects comparable to yours and references to go with those projects.
5. Do you design in a particular style?
Many architects design in the same style and many times it’s in their own style. Upon review of some of their projects do they tend to look all the same? You want an architect that can leave their ego at the door and take into consideration your needs in the design process.
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For more information about Residential Architecture or Custom Home Development, contact Ken Bartlett with Bartlett Architecture, Inc. - Phone: (775) 786-6688
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