We all dream of being homeowners and spend a lot of time envisioning what our dream home will look like. When you finally start the process of building your home, it’s important to put together the right team who will bring your vision to life as well as add their expertise. Choosing the right architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make. Their skills can make or break your vision. Therefore, you need to follow the right procedure when choosing one. Here are some steps you should take when choosing an architect.
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Build Your Brief
Before you even consider an architect, you should have all the key details you want for your build. Have a specific style for both the exterior and the interior. Additionally, you should have a budget of how much you intend on spending on the project as well as a deadline. These are all important details since they should give the architect a rough idea of what you want and what he can manage to do.
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Ask For Recommendations
There’s a high chance that someone in your circle knows an architect. You can ask around to create a list of architects who you will choose from. However, if you don’t know anyone, you can use a simple Google search to find an architect within your area. Social media is also handy in finding one along with their contact details since such professionals use apps like Twitter and Instagram to showcase their work.
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Check Accreditations
Once you have a list of potential architects, it’s important to verify their credentials. Apart from their educational qualifications and licenses, make sure that the architect also has experience working on similar projects. You can ask him for a portfolio of his work so you can confirm his experience and quality of work. Most architects work on both private and public projects so you can visit some of the buildings they have worked on to confirm whether the person will be the right choice.
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Interview The Architect
After narrowing down your choices, it’s time to interview the potential architects. This is a crucial step in choosing the right architect since it will help you determine who is the best to work with. Remember that this is the person that you will trust to build your dream home. Therefore, you need to ask the right questions. It’s also important to find an architect that you can work well with and feel confident to approach about anything.
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Ask Architect’s Fees
Architects’ fees vary based on the project and their experience level. It’s necessary to find an architect within your budget. However, you need to be realistic about it. The best way to find the best price is to ask several architects about the cost of your project. Keep in mind that the cheapest price isn’t always the best.
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Create Lines Of Communication
A clear line of communication is the best way to ensure you have a successful project. You need to know that you can get in touch with your architect when it’s necessary so that you can make changes on the spot. Additionally, it would be best if you had a scheduled time when the two of you meet for updates and consultation. Before you make things official, make sure that the architect you choose is a good communicator and will not leave you in the dark once they start the project.
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Sign The Contract
Once you make your choice of architect, you need to sign a contract that makes it official. The contract will typically include the scope of the work, the services provided, the work timeline and payment. It’s important to read the contract thoroughly to understand what you’re signing especially the payment clause. Check whether the costs include drawing up plans or if it’s charged separately as some architects do.
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