How to Hire an Architect: Questions to Ask

Start with your brief

Before you compare firms, write down what you want, even roughly: the type of project, size, budget, timeline and the problems you want solved. A clear brief makes it easier to compare proposals on equal terms.

Owners in Nashville often start with photos of homes they like and a short wish list. That is a good start.

Include any survey, plans or photos you have, since they help a firm give a more accurate proposal.

Write a short summary of your project before you call anyone: type, size, location, schedule and the main things you hope to achieve. It makes every conversation more productive.

Look at past work

Ask to see projects similar to yours and ask about the challenges on each. A firm with experience in your type of building, whether a historic renovation, a lake house or a small restaurant, will know the likely problems.

Ask who did the work. The person you meet may not be the one who draws your project.

Visit finished projects if you can, or ask for references you can call.

Look at the range of work a firm shows. A portfolio that includes projects like yours is useful, and projects that differ show the breadth of their thinking.

Ask about the proposal

A good proposal is in writing and lists phases, deliverables, consultants included, meetings, site visits and fees. If you only receive a single number, ask for a breakdown.

Ask what is not included, such as surveys, engineering, permit fees or interior selections.

Be careful with a firm that wants a decision before you have had time to think.

Ask who will actually work on your project day to day. Meeting the person who will draw and answer your questions tells you a great deal about the experience ahead.

Ask about process and people

How often will you meet? Who will be your day-to-day contact? How are changes handled? How does the firm work with builders? Clear answers show how a project will feel.

Ask about consultants. Structural, civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers all affect a building, and you should know who they are.

Find out how the firm handles deadlines and what happens if you change your mind.

Read the proposal slowly. Phases, deliverables, consultants, meetings and what is excluded should all be clear. If anything is vague, ask for it in writing.

Check professional standing

Verify any design professional you hire through the official state resources, and ask what each person will be responsible for. Asking about insurance and contract terms is also wise, and an attorney can review them if you like.

Check that firm and consultants are active and in good standing.

Our resources pages link to official sources.

Talk about how decisions will be made and how quickly you can expect replies. Good habits in communication prevent most frustrations later.

Red flags

Be careful with a firm that cannot explain its process, promises a price before it has seen the project, avoids putting things in writing or pressures you to sign quickly.

Be careful, too, with proposals that are far lower or far higher than the rest, without a clear reason.

Trust how the firm listens. A good architect asks as many questions as you do.

Trust your sense of the conversation too. You will work closely with this team for months, so comfort and respect count as much as the portfolio.