“Have you worked with an architect before?”

That’s one of the first questions I ask every prospective client. Their answer tells me a little bit about what they’re expecting their next design and construction experience to be like. Most of the time the response is a hesitant, “yes.” The pregnant pause before the response is usually telling me three things:

• They didn’t get the experience they wanted from the previous architect.

• Their past building project was over budget, over time, or both.

• The result wasn’t what they envisioned, or they didn’t feel comfortable or guided to express their vision.

A great architect should help you feel comfortable expressing your requirements and ask provocative questions to get those creative juices going. And furthermore, there should be clear, open communication about every step of the process, so that your expectations can be exceeded and your vision translated into a home you truly love.

Did you know you can set yourself up for a great experience building your home? Here’s what’s important to keep in mind when choosing your architect.

1. Align Your Expectations

Have a realistic concept of what’s essential in order to build your home as that defines the project budget. You will want to consider the total square footage, the level of quality for materials, and any customizations.  

For example, many times money goes towards unseen, visually daring structural elements or custom-designed interior hardware. If those are important aspects for your ideal design, address those requests early on to create a more accurate budget and timeline estimate.

Be honest about your budget in the beginning and if possible, write down a realistic program of your needs and be descriptive of the space functions. You don’t want your home or space to just look good, it has to feel good and be functional.

2. Hire the Contractor Early

Many times I suggest bringing on board a General Contractor that is suited to the scale of the project after the initial design phase is approved to consult about potential budget issues early on. No one likes to be over budget or over time, so we want to iron out the design elements and logistics as much as we can upfront.

We can ask questions like, “Can alternate exterior cladding materials give you the visual effect you want without sacrificing the exterior’s waterproof enclosure quality?” to the contractor in order to nail down the details of the design, giving the project more definition and with that defined parameters for budgeting cost and time.

3. Quality and Customization Takes time

What is your time frame? 

Too often clients are told very unrealistic estimates by builders, TV shows and friends as to what is reasonably possible to create a quality project. If you request special materials to be used, they might take a longer order-delivery time frame. Specially skilled workmen have to be scheduled for complex design elements, which in turn adds length to the overall timeline. Certain windows and doors have longer lead times. And don’t forget, we are in an exceptional place that has its own scheduling demands. The “Hampton’s Leisure Calendar ” can impact the time frame as to starting a project. 

It’s natural for you to want to visit finished houses, likely by a variety of architects for inspiration on your project. However, this can lend much credence to the perception of what things cost and how long it takes to complete these projects. What a house might say as a sale price or what a project may have been publicly quoted as can be misleading. Often times projects take longer and cost more than what’s revealed publicly. 

4. What level of involvement do you want in your project?

Clear communication is absolutely key to a successful architecture project.

Are you a good decision-maker and prefer to be proactive in the design process? Once plans are set into motion is your partner and family also committing to the decisions made?  Can you read architectural drawings well? Do you require 3-dimensional models or colored renderings to clearly understand things? By answering these questions before meeting your architect or during the initial conversation, you’ll strengthen the communication structure between yourself and your professional builders. Some people prefer to make all of the decisions on the project and others choose to default the decision making to the architect. Developing the communication structure will also determine the pace of the project, budgeting concerns, and the fulfillment of your expectations.

In addition to building a communication structure early on, you may also want to voice any other key professionals that you would like to bring to the project. Will you be working with a specific Interior Designer, Lighting or Security Consultant and/or a Landscape Architect?  It’s best to get them all on board early after the initial design is presented for their professional input. This helps us create the “chain of command” in selecting and deciding material alternatives, lighting, appliances, furniture, storage, and equipment requirements, which are all details essential to finishing the project.

Your Next Experience Can Be Better Than The Last

Every architecture project is going to be a little different than the last, but even with the unpredictable or uncontrollable elements, you can set yourself up for a great experience. Doing a little research and planning before you get started can help you have great expectations for the project. 

When considering your budget, don’t just look at what’s already been done, look at the costs of materials, square footage in the area you’re looking at, and consider how customized you want aspects of the home to be. Get your entire team on board early so everyone is on the same page and the project can move forward at a smoother pace. Most of all, be true to yourself in what you want, where you are, and what resources you have to invest in the project. If you can do that, your building project will be more exciting, less painful, and more aligned to your expectations.

What were your past building experiences like? Are you looking toward your next project? Let me know how I can help. Let’s talk.