How to choose your Architect?

Renovating or building a new home is a big decision. For most homeowners, it doesn’t happen overnight.

From the moment you first start thinking, “Maybe we should renovate,” or “Perhaps it’s time to build a new home,” it can easily take three to six months before you are ready to contact an architect.

During that time, you’re researching, saving images, talking to friends and family, looking at homes you love and trying to understand what is actually possible on your site.

You might ask friends for architect recommendations, spend hours Googling, browse profiles on Houzz and Co-architecture, or scroll through Instagram and Facebook community groups looking for projects that resonate with you.

Before long, you may have looked at more than 30 architects.

So how do you narrow it down?

Start with Three Architects

Most homeowners will eventually interview around three architects.

By this stage, you will probably have shortlisted architects whose work:

• reflects your design style and the Pinterest images or mood boards you have collected

• aligns with your design principles, whether that is sustainability, craftsmanship, innovation or a strong artistic approach

• demonstrates experience with projects similar to yours

• shows knowledge of your local council and planning requirements

• appears realistic about your budget and what can be achieved

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On paper, all three architects may seem like excellent choices.

They are enthusiastic. They understand your brief. They have beautiful portfolios. They seem to have your best interests at heart.

But can you really know which architect is right for you after one meeting?

Your First Interview Is Only the Beginning

Choosing an architect is different from choosing a builder or buying a product.

You are entering into a relationship that can last two years or more. Your architect will be involved in major decisions about your home, your finances, planning approvals, consultants, construction and, ultimately, how you live every day.

And for most people, their home is one of the biggest financial investments they will ever make.

So if you finish your first meeting with an architect and still have questions, don't be afraid to arrange another meeting.

Most architects who genuinely want your project will be happy to spend a little more time talking through your concerns. In fact, a second conversation can tell you far more about an architect than the first.

Here are some of the questions we recommend asking.

1. Did the Architect Really Understand Your Site?

A good architect should be thinking beyond your property boundary.

How thoroughly did the architect discuss your site constraints?

Did they ask about:

• neighbouring properties?

• overlooking and privacy?

• sunlight and orientation?

• heritage considerations?

• existing trees?

• site access?

• stormwater?

• easements?

• planning controls?

• the relationship between your home and your neighbours?

More importantly, how were these parameters explained to you?

It is easy for an architect to tell you what you can build. A good architect should also explain the challenges, opportunities and consequences of your design decisions.

Your Neighbours Matter

Your neighbours' response to your development can influence the planning process. Depending on the project and planning pathway, objections may result in additional scrutiny, design changes or other complications.

But there is also a bigger consideration.

You don't want to spend two years designing and building your dream home only to discover that you have created a difficult relationship with the people living next door. Most people choose to renovate or build where they do because they love the community. Your home should ideally strengthen that relationship rather than work against it.A thoughtful architect will consider not only your property, but also how your home sits within its broader neighbourhood.

2. Ask About Building Costs

One of the most important conversations you should have with your architect is about your budget.

Ask:

“Can you show me examples of projects similar in size, scope and cost to mine?”

Then ask:

“When was that project built?”

The answer matters.

The construction industry has changed significantly over recent years. If a project was completed 2 years ago, its construction cost may have shifted since then. A project that was built for $1 million several years ago cannot necessarily be used as a reliable benchmark for a project being designed today.

Your architect should be able to explain how the current building market is affecting construction costs and how they expect this may influence your project.

Your Starting Budget Is Not Your Tender Budget

This is something many homeowners don't realise when they first begin their project.

You may discuss your preliminary building budget during your first meeting with your architect. But it could be close to a year before you are actually ready to tender the project.

A project may progress through:

Concept Design → Design Development → Development Application → Detailed Design → Construction Documentation → Tender

A Development Application alone can take several months, depending on the project, council and complexity. By the time your project reaches tender, the construction market may have changed significantly from when you first discussed your budget. As a general rule, we recommend being cautious when comparing projects more than two years old. Allowing around 10% for construction cost escalation can provide a more realistic starting point when considering older examples, although actual costs will vary depending on the project, location, specification and market conditions.

And when comparing construction costs, don't rely on pre-COVID building prices. The industry has changed too significantly for those figures to provide a meaningful comparison.

A good architect should be upfront about this. They shouldn't simply tell you what you want to hear to secure the project.

So, How Do You Choose in the End?

You may reach the end of your selection process and find that all three architects are experienced, capable and have beautiful portfolios.

They understand planning.

They understand construction.

They have designed projects similar to yours.

Their fees are comparable.

So how do you make the final decision?

It comes down to synergy.

Do you relate to your architect?

Do you feel comfortable asking questions?

Do you feel that they genuinely listened to you?

Do you understand what they are explaining?

And, perhaps most importantly, how did you feel when you walked out of the meeting?

Did you leave feeling knowledgeable and empowered?

Or did you leave feeling more confused than when you arrived?

The right architect should give you clarity, not confusion. They should be able to take complex planning, design and construction information and explain it in a way that makes sense to you. They should challenge you when necessary, listen to what is important to you and help you make informed decisions. You are not simply hiring someone to draw your house.

You are choosing someone who will guide you through one of the biggest investments of your life. So look beyond the portfolio. Look beyond the fee. Look beyond the first impression.

Choose an architect whose design approach you love, whose experience you trust and, most importantly, someone you can see yourself working with for the next two years.

Because the best architectural relationship is one where, at the end of the process, you don't just have a beautiful home — you feel that you understood the journey and were empowered to make the right decisions along the way.