How long is a piece of string? That is pretty much how many options you have when it comes to the design of a new home, and that is only after you find the right architect to work with. And of course - there are many fantastic ones to choose from, so where do you start?

Here are 8 thinks you need to know before you hire an architect. 

1. Do you know what you want?

This is a ‘what, when, where, how’ scenario - what kind of home do you want, when do you need it by, where is it going and how should it look? Of course there is also a fifth one, budget.

While yes, you’re employing an architect to come up with a design - you need to have some idea of what you want. You could look at getting a feasibility study done before moving onto the concept design phase, as this can help you understand the costs involved for what you may be after.

Be aware when you are talking about money that you also discuss other things such as appliances, blinds, landscaping etc. It is important to be clear around what has been factored into your budget (or perhaps anything you have forgotten).

Read more: Building a new home? Here's how to choose a builder for your project 

2. How many design options will there be?

It is helpful to know how many options will be presented to you as a concept design.

Most of the time it is three, but this could depend on a variety of factors, and it is better to know how many you will see, and then also how many revisions you will be permitted to make before it moves on to an hourly fee. 

3. Have they worked on a site similar to yours?

This may be particularly important if you have a challenging site - like on the side of a hill. You want to know that the architect knows what they are doing when faced with the section of land you are going to be building on, because it will be up to them to understand what restrictions or roadblocks there could be.

4. Are your design principles aligned?

Sometimes it can be difficult to get across what you want, and make sure that the architect truly understands the vision you have for your home.

This is where images can assist in the process - and enables them to see whether the type of design you are after is something they can achieve. You need to know that the architect is on board with what you are looking for, because if they have a modern focus, and you want a heritage home, it may be that your design principles aren’t well aligned.

5. What fees are included/not included?

This is where you need to know what exactly would be covered in the cost of hiring an architect and it is probably a good idea to have it all written down - as there is plenty to factor in when having a home built and designed.

Do they include all the information required for Council planning and approval? Can they assist with the process of applying for building consent? If so - how much does that cost? If the Council come back with changes, is dealing with those requests included?

Don’t be afraid to ask for all the fine print before deciding which architect to go with - as while getting design principles aligned is important, so is sticking to your budget.

6. Who will choose the finishing materials?

Some architects will have a specific finish of materials that they prefer to go with, as usually it goes with the style of their designs. This can be anything from purely cladding and roofing, to exterior and interior fixtures and fittings.

So ensure you understand who does what, because if you were looking forward to having a range of choices, then this would need to be confirmed and agreed on from the outset.

7. Does your architect have ‘go-to’ builders?

Do you have a builder that you would like to have project manage the construction of your home? Or do you want the architect to supply someone they have used on previous projects?

Selecting the right person to build your house is critical, and it is important to ask whether it is something your architect can help you decide on.

8. Will your architect assist during the construction stage?

Depending on the background and experience of your architect, they may be able to assist with monitoring the building works - so this is something you should ask when speaking with your shortlist.

Not all architects will supervise every stage of the build, so it is a good idea to understand what their process is for checking progress and what their work does, and doesn’t cover during construction.

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