Choosing an architect is a big decision. You want a good architect who’s easy to work with, properly trained and enthusiastic about your project. Few people have difficulty finding an architect: Finding the right home architect is the challenge.

Interview Questions for Home Architects

Interviewing a few different candidates gives you opportunity to evaluate each architect: Personality, style, vision and flexibility are all things you’ll want to consider.

Architect interviews are essential, but many homeowners “freeze up” during an interview. The homeowner may feel uncomfortable asking the architect questions. They may be shy or can’t think of questions to ask. However, it’s essential that you feel comfortable with your architect, since you may have to work closely with her and may need to enforce a strict timeline or budget.

Prepare questions for architects in advance—a practice that has two advantages. You’re less likely to forget to ask questions if you write them down, and by asking the same questions in every architect interview, it’s easier to compare each architect’s response.

Possible questions for architects include:

• Can I see your portfolio?
• Can I tour any of your finished projects?
• What is your design process?
• How much enthusiasm do you have for this project?
• If the architect is part of a company, who will design and oversee the project?
• What are your design fees?
• What experience do you have with similar projects?
• What sets you apart from other applicants?

Evaluating the Architect’s Personality

An interview is your first chance to evaluate not only an architect’s style and work, but also their personality. Hollywood and popular culture portrays architects as aloof, elitist professionals with hypersensitive artist sensibilities. That’s a fine personality for a movie, but hardly the type of person you want to work with on your home architect project.

Fortunately, the Hollywood “architect personality” doesn’t reflect the personalities of  most architects. You’re looking for an architect who, in addition to possessing the right training and qualifications, will be easy to work with. When you evaluate an architect’s personality, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you think the architect is responsive to your wishes and vision?
• Does the architect communicate ideas clearly?
• Does the architect listen as well as talk?
• Does the architect’s manner suggest she is interested in you and your project?
• Is she polite?
• Would you enjoy working with this person?

If you have a negative attitude towards an architect at the end of the interview, keep looking. A home architect project is too involved and time-consuming to accept working with someone you doubt, distrust, or even dislike.

Verify Credentials and Check References

Presuming an interview goes well, the next steps in choosing an architect are to verify his or her credentials and call all references. Don’t skimp on this part of the selection process—calling references can be very informative, for good or ill.

Once you have a short list of two or three home architects, the final decision may come down to your gut response. As long as you’ve asked plenty of questions and verified the architect’s education, training and references, making a final decision based on your personal preferences is fine. The goal is to find a good architect, but it’s also to find a home architect you trust.