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How to interview an architect: 8 must-ask questions

Ready to get started with designing your dream home? Interviewing is key to finding the right architect for your project. To make this a bit easier, we’re sharing a list of pro-recommended questions.

A great interview can help you determine if a potential architect listens well, inspires confidence, and has the right professional demeanor. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to see if their personality and communication style align with your expectations. Before you hire an architect, you want to be sure they have what it takes to bring your vision to life.

To start understanding if an architect is the right fit, we asked an industry insider what he would ask if the roles were reversed, and he was sitting in the homeowner’s seat. Here are the questions recommended by leading Minneapolis architect Christopher Strom, AIA, founder of his own firm, Christopher Strom Architects.

What are the best questions to ask an architect?

An effective interview goes beyond their portfolio. You’re looking to understand their experience, process, and how they handle project logistics. Start getting the answers you need to make a confident hire by asking the following questions.

1. Have you designed projects like mine before?

As noted above, an architect’s portfolio isn’t the full measure of their capabilities as a designer, because they work in service of their clients’ visions. But there’s more than one way to look at equivalent experiences. For example:

Have you designed homes with similar square footage? You might not have a square footage in mind, but maybe you’re thinking in terms of a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Either way, knowing your architect has designed homes of a similar size or configuration will give you some assurance that their expertise is relevant to your project.
Have you designed a remodel adding similar types of spaces or for homes of a similar vintage? Knowing this will give an indication that they’re aware of permitting requirements, quirks they might encounter due to the era of original construction, and more.
Have you designed projects in my location — in my development, city, etc.? Knowing this will give an indication that they’re familiar with relevant zoning, environmental, HOA, and other rules and regulations.
Have you designed projects for clients like me? Of course, every family is unique, but if you know that an architect has worked for families like yours — whether your family is you and your dog, or you, a spouse, and a few kids — it means they’ve likely learned some things along the way that will be to your benefit.

From the most singular modern home to the perfect farmhouse, Strom’s work demonstrates range. Many architects are dynamic in terms of the styles of homes they can design.

2. How does the design process work at your firm?

Generally, the process of working with an architect will begin with a series of intake meetings in which they seek to understand your program. “We want to make sure our goals are in alignment before we draw anything,” Strom said.

Then, you’ll be given a series of concepts that will evolve through your feedback into drawings that are detailed enough for the builder to work from. Find out how your architect likes to structure the design phase so you can begin mentally preparing.

3. What’s your involvement after the design phase?

Many architects, including Strom, will tell you that the best project results come when the builder, architect, and homeowner stay aligned beginning to end. Of course, your budget and preferences will ultimately determine their level of continued involvement. At this early stage, however, it can be helpful to learn about different scenarios.

For example, you could ask the following:

Do you help with evaluating builder bids?
Do you offer construction administration services? What do those entail?
How does pricing change based on the services being provided?

Understanding the options can help you decide how best to invest in their expertise throughout the project.

4. How do you approach builder bidding?

First, bidding is the process by which a builder is evaluated. It’s common for architects to help evaluate bids. At one time, multiple builders would bid on a single project, but that practice is changing.

“25 years ago, it was more common that multiple builders were willing to bid a project, even if they had a one-in-three chance of getting that project,” Strom said. Now, however, he’s seen a shift in the Minneapolis market where he works. In some cases, smaller builders don’t have a dedicated bidding team, so they can’t take the time to bid every project, which takes them out of the running. As a result, it’s becoming more common for architects and builders to develop strong relationships and work together repeatedly.

Bidding is now more relevant to subspecialities, like the contractor who would pour a driveway or do masonry work. Your market could be different, so it’s a good question to ask your architect.

5. What’s the current price-per-square-foot you’re seeing?

Although the builder is best positioned to price out your project in detail, you should still ask your architect to help you begin understanding the costs. They should be able to speak to this as they’ll no doubt have other projects under construction. “Even if an architect gives you an answer about costs that you don’t like, it’s better to know the current construction costs,” Strom said. This is a good preliminary planning question to pose.

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“Even if an architect gives you an answer about costs that you don’t like, it’s better to know the current construction costs.”

— Christopher Strom, AIA, Founder of Christopher Strom Architects

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6. How do you charge for your architectural services?

There are several common fee structures. Understanding how an architect charges can help you manage your budget more effectively. Here are the most common fee structures:

Hourly is a common way of billing for architectural work. Throughout the project, the architect will bill you at regular intervals for all their hours worked. One advantage of this approach is that costs can be controlled by involving architects with different levels of experience. So, the most experienced architects with the highest hourly rates would be involved at key moments while their colleagues with less experience would focus on the most time-intensive work. Strom said this is how his firm works. “Our goal is to keep the cost per hour of service as low as possible,” he said.
Fixed fee is an approach that involves the homeowner and architect agreeing upon a flat fee for architectural services. According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), this approach is more common with smaller projects and often includes a preliminary stage that’s billed separately so the architect can develop the project scope before switching to the fixed-fee model. Strom said his firm sometimes offers this billing structure in cases where they have previously worked with the builder, and the project is well defined.
Percentage of construction means you agree to pay your architect a specified percentage of the total cost. AIA reports the average range for a new construction project as 8-15%, and the average range for a remodel as 15-20%. An estimate for the total cost is needed up front, and it’s important to discuss how reconciliation will work if costs go over the estimate. Find out more about this fee structure on AIA’s website.

There's also a chance that your architect charges differently at different phases of a project, which brings us to the next question.

7. Would you consider a custom fee structure?

In some cases, the architect might be able to create a custom fee structure that allows for different billing approaches during different stages of the project. The advantage of doing this is that it can help with cash flow over the course of the project.

For example, one approach Strom’s team has used is charging an upfront retainer at the start of the project and then billing hourly during the design phase. If they stay involved through construction, a stage in which they help with project coordination, they take their fees from the upfront retainer, so the client doesn’t have to come up with the architect’s project coordination fee at the same time that they’re paying the builder. Your architect might have ideas about how to structure their fees in a way that makes sense for your unique project, so be sure to ask.

8. What’s a common mistake homeowners make that you could help me avoid?

For example, one approach Strom’s team has used is charging an upfront retainer at the start of the project and then billing hourly during the design phase. If they stay involved through construction, a stage in which they help with project coordination, they take their fees from the upfront retainer, so the client doesn’t have to come up with the architect’s project coordination fee at the same time that they’re paying the builder. Your architect might have ideas about how to structure their fees in a way that makes sense for your unique project, so be sure to ask.

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Your FAQs about interviewing an architect answered

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How to interview an architect: 8 must-ask questions

What are the best questions to ask an architect?

1. Have you designed projects like mine before?

2. How does the design process work at your firm?