The construction of your home is the time when your dream becomes a reality. To ensure that what is built is exactly as you’ve envisioned it in your mind’s eye, it is crucial to find the right architect. Your architect’s blueprints will represent the home you and your family enjoy for years to come. So before blueprinting begins, be sure to get some important information from your architect. Here are some questions to ask your architect.
View a Portfolio
Your architect will be leaving his or her own mark on your home. Every architect has his or her own style. As your potential contractor if he or she has a portfolio you can view. Then, be sure that you and your architect have similar style preferences by seeing if you like the architect’s past work.
Gather References
You will be working with this architect for a long period of time on a crucial project. Ask your potential architect for a list of past clients you can contact. Take some time to contact these past clients to ask:
- What it was like to work with the architect?
- Did the architect finish your project on time?
- Were the clients happy with the final result?
- How has the architect’s work held up over time?
- Were there any problems during the design or build stages? If so, how did the architect handle the problems?
Insurance
Different states require different minimum levels of insurance for architects. Some architects try to cut their costs by having the bare minimum coverage. This can leave you liable for anything that occurs during the build that should have been covered by the architect. Find out what insurance your state requires, what kind of insurance your architect carries, and if he or she has minimal or substantial coverage.
Talk Models
Nowadays, technology is everywhere, including in architecture. Many architects have adopted technological advances and can offer you a three-dimensional model of your future home. But some architects prefer to work with classic two-dimensional models. Think about which you would rather see, then ask your architect if he or she works with two- or three-dimensional models.
Know Everyone Involved
A home build takes numerous teams and team leaders including your architect, contractor, construction workers, interior designers, and material suppliers. This many people working on a single project is at risk for interpersonal conflict and communication problems. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, on schedule, and supplied with everything they need to complete their part, get a list of everyone involved, their phone numbers and, if applicable, their email addresses.
Get a Timeline in Writing
The number one complaint of people constructing their own home is that their project was not completed on time. While hiccups in shipping of materials, availability of construction staff and other issues cannot be predicted, it is important to ensure that your architect knows that you are expecting a home constructed in a reasonable amount of time. Discuss your architect’s availability and create a schedule of events to ensure your project will not be delayed.
