Before you start looking for an Architectural Service, it is important to carefully evaluate your building needs and goals. An architect will help clarify your goals but some initial homework will help you make good decisions. Pick a pencil and paper and put down your ideas in rough sketches. If you do not already have financing, start talking to bankers so that you know your budget before meeting the architect.

How do you select an architect?

Get recommendations from family and friends.  If you like a particular project in your area, find out who designed it. Get a list of a few leading Architects and compare prices from atleast 3 architects for your specific project before selecting the right vendor for your needs. Describe your project to them, see if they are interested and set up an appointment to meet face-to-face with the architect. Make sure all interested architects are members of professional organizations that ensure that they adhere to professional code of ethics. Membership of these organizations also gives them access to a variety of professional and technical resources.  For example, in the US, architects should be members of The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Before or during the first meeting, interested Architectural Services firms will probably inundate you with brochures, fact sheets, photos of past work, biographical material about personnel etc.  It is important to look beyond the brochure to determine which Architectural Services have the right experience and capabilities for your project. After you have met with all potential architects, narrow down the list to about three Architectural Services firms and set up interviews with them. So that there are no nasty surprises later, ask the Architectural Services firm upfront if there is a fee for the interview.

Every profession has its technical jargon and geek speak. Do not hesitate to ask the architect to explain things in a way that you can understand. It is important that you come away from the meeting feeling comfortable. Designing the project will need team work. It is important that the chemistry is right between you and the architect.

After the interview is over, you should have an answer to all the following questions.

• Does the Architectural Services firm have the capacity and interest to take on your work?
• Who will handle the job? Are you comfortable working with the person designated by the Architectural Services?
• What is the Architectural firm's design philosophy? Is the architect too conservative for your taste or maybe too radical?
• How does the architect intend to approach your project? Are you comfortable with the approach?
• Can the Architectural Services work to your satisfaction within your budget? What are the anticipated fees? How is the fees calculated? Is it an hourly fee or fixed fees for the project? Some architects even charge by square foot or a percentage of construction costs.
• Has the Architectural services shown you one or two completed projects that are similar to your project? How do you like the quality of the architect's work?

Before you leave the interview ask for a few references from past clients. Call them up to see if they were satisfied with the end result.  Ask them if there was something that they did not like about the engagement with the architect.

After the interviews you should be in a position to pick one Architectural Services firm to work on your project. Your decision will be based on your overall comfort level. Ask yourself if you trust the Architectural Services firm and if it feels right for your project. Do you appreciate the architect's judgment, technical expertise, and creative skills?  Is the Architectural Services firm capable of helping you realize the project that fits your practical needs as well as your dreams? And most importantly, can the architect do it well within your budget?

For best results, you will have to work as a team with the architect.  You want to ensure that you provide enough input to the architect so that she can help you realize your dream and goals.  But be careful. Do not restrict the architect so much that it inhibits her creativity.

Like any other work agreement, put everything in writing - scope of work, services, schedule, construction budget, and compensation.  At any point during the project if you have concerns, it is important to address them immediately rather than letting them linger and allow the project to go off track.