The previous post "Architect's Services" gave you an idea of the responsibilities, the
scope of work and services that you can expect from the Architect.The next step is to Choose the right Architect. Choosing your Architect should be done with care.Your relationship will be a lengthy one involving big sums of money and for most people, possibly the biggest investment they will ever make. So it is important that you choose the right Architect, one you can trust. Here are some points to consider when choosing an Architect.
REFERENCES
As a starting point, you should consult your friends and acquaintances who have some experience in hiring Architects. They can give you some good advice about experienced and reputable Architects in your area. Try to make use of the services of an Architect who has most experience in Residential Architecture.PROXIMITY TO YOUR SITE
Look for an Architect near
your site, as it will definitely prompt him to visit your site more often. Site Visits as more important than
fancy detailed drawings, especially for house construction, since there
are lots of decisions that can be made at site and any mistakes will be
noticed earlier and can be corrected before it is too late.
PROFEESIONAL CREDENTIALS:
When consulting your Architect for
the first time, ask for professional credentials. Make sure that he is a qualified Architect- registered with the Council of Architecture,
India - ask for his Registration Number. There are lots of people listed
as Architects, who are not qualified Architects - they are civil
engineers or Interior designers or draftsmen or people who have not
completed the Architecture Course successfully or have been removed
from the Register of Architects for professional misconduct.
When you hire an Architect, you want more than someone who has done a drawing course and who can prepare drawings. You want someone to advise you on all technical aspects. You want to benefit from an Architect's training and experience in problem solving. You also need someone to supervise the job during construction and verify the Contractors bills as well as carrying professional liability for their work, and not someone providing you with just plans.
EXPERIENCE:
And then of course, look for an experienced Architect as
there are lots of things, like- the comfortable sizes of rooms, right
proportion, efficient placement of fixtures in toilets, good arrangement
of furniture in a room – that only an Architect who has had experience will know. These things cannot be taught through education
but are learned from mistakes and actual experience.
Ask for their portfolio so that you can see photos of projects they've completed. A good selection of photos is a good indication of an Architect's experience.
Ask for their portfolio so that you can see photos of projects they've completed. A good selection of photos is a good indication of an Architect's experience.
DOES HE LISTEN?
Try to establish whether he is going to listen to your needs. The only way for an Architect to
get a project right is to listen closely to the Client's needs. If
possible try and find someone who listens to your ideas and requirements
with care and whom you can trust and feel comfortable with.
PERSONALITY
The whole process of Building is stressful. Assess whether you will be able to work with the Architect on a personal level over a period of several months. It's a good idea to talk to more than one Architect before making up your mind. To have the best result, you should meet and interview at least 3 professionals If possible, you should also take references from some of their former Clients so that you can know more about them. The more information you have about the Architects, the better your choice will be.NEGOTIATING FEES:
When you have selected an Architect, you should negotiate with him in advance about the fees charged.
You can consult your friends or other experienced people about the fees
charged on similar projects so that you will be more confident when
negotiating.
You can request to fix a lump sum fees so that you do not have to worry about the fees increasing in case there is some variation in the total project cost, by the end of the construction.
You can request to fix a lump sum fees so that you do not have to worry about the fees increasing in case there is some variation in the total project cost, by the end of the construction.
MAINTAIN GOOD COMMUNICATION:
After you have hired an Architect, you should keep good communication
with him. You have to make sure that he understands what you want and
expect about the house. If there is something you don't understand
during the process, ask
him for a thorough explanation. Everything has to be thoroughly
understood between you and your Architect because you have to work
together for a long time.
After selecting an Architect, the next step is to brief the Architect with your requirements. It is advisable to be well prepared as it will enable the Architect to understand your requirements and ideas better. Here are a few tips on how to be well prepared before the first briefing:
After selecting an Architect, the next step is to brief the Architect with your requirements. It is advisable to be well prepared as it will enable the Architect to understand your requirements and ideas better. Here are a few tips on how to be well prepared before the first briefing:
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