How to choose an architect

Obviously the best way to choose an architect is by recommendation. You may know someone personally who has used one, or you may have passed a project in the street you like the look of. Don’t be afraid to ask how they got on with the architect.

Try and use an architect local to your area. They will know about local planning policies and what is likely to be allowed or not. Likewise, if you have a listed property make sure they have suitable experience. Then look at websites: do they take on the type of project you have in mind?

When you have found three you like the look of make an appointment for them to visit you. Insist on working with someone you like and have an affinity with. Do you understand what they are talking about or are baffling you with jargon? Are they listening to you and your ideas? If you have a strict budget are they good at managing costs? Ask for a breakdown of their charges. These are all important things to take into consideration.

Long experience has also taught us to be wary of ‘classic’ or ‘old school’ architects if you want an efficient process : do not choose them if they only produce hand-drawn drawings! Modern day design is a collaborative, iterative process, and you will always want to, almost without exception, see alternatives, make changes and tweaks. Those architects who don’t use CAD will automatically try to deter you, as they’ll be protective of their time investment.

You can also get recommendations via other professionals you work with – your Stacks Search Agent will have a roster of trusted professionals whom they would trust with their clientele.  There may also be advantages for using teams of people who have worked together well in the past – your Planning Consultant, your Building Control, your Architect and your Builder would ideally understand each other from a history of shared working.

Stacks’ Regional Directors support you through the process of finding and identifying your ideal property and can help craft your plans and intentions based on their experience of seeing many hundreds of houses and their local market knowledge.  Find out more on how we can help you find and secure your next property purchase here