10 Tips for Selecting a Residential Architecture Firm

Selecting the right Architecture firm for your residential project can be difficult. Depending on the project, it can often mean entering into a 1-3 year relationship. During this time there will be challenges and hurdles to overcome. You will be working closely with your project team therefore, it is critical that you can communicate effectively and your personalities are compatible. Below are our ten tips for selecting the right residential architect for you project.

1. Has the firm done work in the city of where your project is located?

If your project team has relationships with city officials and understands the local permitting/approvals process, it can be a huge advantage. If your project team has worked with the local zoning codes, they should have a good understanding of the requirements without having to do extensive code research and/or coordination. This will save you time and money.

Rost Architects working on local Newport Beach project.

2. Set up an in person interview at the architects office to see how you communicate with the project team.

Clear and concise communication is essential during the course of a project. A project team that knows the questions to ask in order to do their job can save significant amounts of time. As a client, it is important to know who on the project team you will be working with. An in person meeting at the Architects office will allow you to gauge how well you communicate.

Also, seeing the office environment and culture is important. You will be spending a good amount of time at the office over the course of the next few years. Having a clean and comfortable office close by is a huge plus.

Rost Architects Office Irvine California

Rost Architects Office Lobby

3. Does your aesthetic taste align?

This may seem obvious however it is critical that your aesthetic taste is somewhat aligned. It can be an uphill battle during the course of project if your design preference conflicts. A great way to determine this is to review past work from the firm. We also recommend bringing a collection of images that represent styles and aesthetics that you are attracted to for your first meeting. This will allow you to gauge if the he/she is in alignment with your vision and will help the architect get a better feel for your goals on the project.

Rost Architects Hill Pavilion

4. Does your Architect use BIM and other 3D modeling software to communicate the design?

Visualization, modeling and rendering software has come a long way in the last 20 years. Finding an architecture firm that is up to speed and proficient with the latest tools is essential. New rendering and modeling software can show spaces and parts of the building with stunning realism. These tools can help the owner make decisions quickly and know exactly what the final building will look like.

In your initial meeting, ask the project team to show you an example of a design presentation package for a past project. Take note of the organization and clarity of the presentation. This is a good indicator of the documentation and presentation quality that you we will receive.

Rost Architects Rendering Fly Through

Rost Architects Rendering Fly through

5. Is your Architect licensed?

There are many home designers that advertise similar services as architects. We feel that is important to be sure the firm working on your project is a licensed architectural firm. To achieve licensure as an architect, there are rigorous education, experience and testing requirements that many home designers do not have. This can result in significant gaps in knowledge, training and expertise.

6. Look at online resources and informational content.

A firm’s website can speak volumes about them. Do they have informational resources available online for their clients? Do they have an established online presence and engagement on the different social platforms? Is their website up to date and formatted cleanly?

We do not recommend hiring a firm solely on the appearance of their website. However, it can be a good indicator of the firms design capabilities and quality of work. If your architecture firm is delivering content about industry trends, news, and technology regularly, it is a good indicator that they are up to date on industry trends, passionate and engaged with their work and profession.

7. Ask for referrals.

If you can speak with a past or current client about their experience working with the firm, it can give you additional insight to help make your decision. Ask about the obstacles they faced during the project and how they were handled. Ask about the firms communication style and the clients general level of satisfaction for the service.

8. Ask about the estimated project schedule and fee structure.

Understanding when your project will begin, how long each design phase will take and how the fees for each phase will be billed/structured is critical. If you have timelines that need to be met, it is important to confirm that your project team can meet your expectations.

9. Ask to visit a current project.

Being able to visit a completed project or one under construction can be a great experience. It will allow time for the Architect to walk you through the project and explain design decisions, discuss details and for you to gauge their level of construction knowledge. Ask the architect questions about the finishes, details and systems in the house to get a feel for the level of involvement he/she had in the projects construction.

10. Ask to see their material library and material pallets for current projects.

Asking the firm the see their material library and material pallets for current projects can be very revealing as to the level of detail and specification the team goes into on a project. Ask the team about what materials they like to use and why. Ask them about the benefits of using one material vs another.

Rost Architects Material Library

Bonus: Does the firm have an interior design team?

This is one of the most important questions to ask a prospective firm. For residential projects, the interior of the home requires a lot of thought and design in order to be executed properly. Working with a firm that has an interior design team who specializes in custom home interiors will be a huge asset to your project. An experienced and passionate interior design team will fine tune the details of the interior spaces and elevate the project to the next level. Also, having all of the interior design decisions made will help speed up the final stages of construction during the installation of finishes. We have seen too many projects lag during the last few months of construction because the interior spaces were not designed or thought out.

Having the architecture and interior design team in the same office is also an asset. Having the two teams in the same office will also lead to a more aesthetically cohesive project. When interior design services are outsourced to a separate company, sometimes there can be a gap in communication and design vision leaving the project feeling pieced together. With custom residential design, we feel that it is critical that the inside and outside of the building are in harmony. Therefore, we highly recommend using a residential architecture firm with an in house interior design group.

We hope that this list is helpful in your search for a residential architect. Finding the right residential architect for you unique job can take time, but putting in the due diligence upfront can pay dividends over the course of the project. If you would like to discuss your project with ROST Architects, please reach out to us here.