If you haven't yet done any basic reading about this, you can start with the link below. This is the largest American trade group for architects and they have a lot of information there, which answers all the questions you asked. There's a video of a client and architect going through the design process.

As to how the process will work best for you, that all depends on your way of tackling tasks in general, as well as what role you want an architect to play in your design/build process.

Ex: We were very sure of what we wanted, in great and specific detail. I'm a big researcher and deep thinker and DH is highly technical. So, we took to the architect we chose to work with a full-scale drawing of a design we had developed ourselves over several months. There was one significant layout problem we couldn't solve. However, on the chance that we were totally wrong with our own design, we also took a notebook full of descriptions of the requirements for each room; how the various rooms should work together; which solar direction each room should face and where each should be relative to the front of the house; where we needed storage and how many linear feet of what type were needed in each room. We had descriptions of all the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems we wanted. And so on ad nauseum. We said, "OK. Here's who we are and how we want to live in the house. Here's the design solution (plan) we've come up with and here is what we do and don't like about it. We're not committed to this plan, so we'll be open to whatever you'd like to do."

All that is totally unnecessary; it's just how we are. It was much appreciated and has worked well for us. All architects might not like our approach, but we chose someone compatible with who we are.

HOWEVER, architects will structure the interview and design process with you. After initial interviews to choose your architect, he/she will usually provide you with a list of questions to consider. But I would think, unless you're very young, or just a real "free-spirit" personality, you would have thought through most of that before you get to the interview point.

Do some general reading about the process and proceed when you're ready. Experienced architects will start with you wherever you are and will guide you through the process; it's what they do everyday. Good luck and do post back on your progress!

Here is a link that might be useful: working with an architect

Thanks for the info and link, pinktoes. It was helpful.

We built the home we currently live in, but took plans we drew to a "plan shop", on the advice of our builder. I feel like we got it almost right. If we would have used a more talented architect we could have avoided these little things that make a big impact on how we use the space.

Our next house will be on the river, and although we are youngish will likely be our forever house. This time I'm not going to be cutting corners. We will just wait a little bit longer to build if that is what it takes. We will be moving/building because we want to--not because we need to.

We have had mixed luck using architects. I think the most important factor is finding someone whose sense of style and style of working aligns with yours. Spending some time with the candidates and carefully checking references will pay off.

The architect can only work with the information you provide. A good one will extract the required information from you, but the better the information the better fit to YOU. Thinking through the way you live and the way you plan to live, especially if this is a long-term house, is time well spent. If there are features that you think you want you should note them, but donÂt be surprised if you change you mind as you go through the design process. Design is a series of balancing tradeoffs. You will need to convey your likes and dislikes to the architect. A SMALL scrapbook of houses, rooms, details, etc. that appeal to you can help.

An architect can add a lot of value. They understand design patterns and the porcess of designing. They know lots of design tricks and established standards. They can present a whole set of possibilities that you may not have considered. They can also come up with designs that are so far over budget that they canÂt be built. They can design what they want not what you want. The thing to remember is that it your house and the architect works for you.

You do not need to use an architect. On our last project I did the design using 3d modeling tools. I took my wife on hundreds of virtual tours of proposed designs. When we had it pretty much worked out I hired a designer/engineer team to review and comment on the design then do the stamped working drawings. I did about 5 iterations with them workng out the final details.

Good luck, it will be a lot of fun.

We also drew up our plans to scale and took in plenty of front elevations, other plans that had features we liked and photos. I would use an architect again, but DH would not. He felt we were not given sufficient attention for the $$ paid. Many items were forgotten from meeting to meeting so we started taking in a typed list. I believe you might want to ask who will be working on your plans. If it is an associate (which ended up being our situation), things can get lost in the translation.

Teresa

We had a great experience with our architect. We took him a house plan we found online which became our inspiration and the starting point. ALOT was changed and now our house doesn't even resemble the inspiration house. We wanted a home unlike anyone else and we got it, but it gave the architect a starting point. We also gave him a list of things that were important to us: size of bedrooms, overall size, 7 car garage, etc. He is creative and added alot of things we never would have thought of. We met with him every few weeks to go over things. The whole design process took about 6 months.

One caution from here: After talking to a lot of homeowners who used various "best in Atlanta" architects, which is not a slovenly lot, I still would not rely on that qualification to ensure you of getting either the best space-planning or the best in practical details.

We've had to be insistent with our archy on several issues that her "musts" were totally inappropriate for our needs; or that the trade standards set by this-or-that consensus group were still inadequate for us. And we plain didn't like some of her ideas and asked her to try it another way(ours). So, we really drove most of the design and a lot of the details. We found a lot of people reluctant to do that, more so the more well-known their architect. As a result, they got less than they'd hoped for.

Routinely, good architects and good builders design and build pretty but poorly functioning things. A favorite of mine is a clothes dryer vented out through a second story roof. The clothes take forever to dry, and it voids most manufacturer's warranties. So, do second guess everything.

We would not use an architect again either. Not just this architect. Our own ideas (borrowing heavily, researching madly, culling relentlessly) were far better. We thought there was some magic dust sprinkled by architects and found it a waste of money. And it slowed us down tremendously.

One question you MUST ask is for an explanation (preferably written) of how they develop their design for you. All we interviewed had a set system (probably suggested by the AIA) involving 2, sometimes 3, "Schematic drawings". Then you pick your favorite to develop into a "Developed Design". So, it goes from a drawn concept with a rough size and shape and room layout ("Schematic") to your favorite being developed into a complete design with layout, elevations, roof plan, foundation plan, all interior elevations that need drawing, etc, etc.

If you're looking for a special strength in an architect, get on their websites and see if it looks like they have that. (Ex, we were looking for one with a stronger than usual knowledge of Building Science, so we looked for evidence of that). Google their names and see where they show up in their trade literature and in the popular media. Research them like any other job candidate--only more thoroughly.

Do get someone who does most residential rather than commercial work. Residential is much more complex and requires more patience/skill with space planning as well as with working with families.

If there's a special architectural style you want, look on their websites for their portfolio of designs (photos) as well as what they say. When you interview them ask to see more of their previous work.

If you want an uncommon technology ("green", "straw-bale", "solar", etc) make sure they have experience and strength in it.

And do bring them in before you select the land so they can help you find land suitable to the style/size/configuration/engineering requirements of your intended building.

Best of luck!

pinktoes, thanks for your posts. I've been pondering this question, as we're a little priced out of architect-range, and are really looking at designers. I'm hoping a good designer will suffice. I can't afford/don't need Architectural Digest quality design. Also, my coworker, after $60,000 with an architect, now finds that she can't build because she was quoted $500/sf for her plans, then $600/sf from a second builder!!

Here are some suggestions based on our experience with an architect.

1) we spent a lot of time on household flow and utilization based on previous houses and gave him lots of info on what worked and didn't work to help in the design

2) we had few ideas on the look/style so that actually came later and was the result of the functional requirements

3) we only had our architect work on the drawings - no model, no on-going oversite, no details (trim, etc.) drawings because we had a great relationship with the builder and didn't want to spend that additional money.

My suggestions based on our experience

- choose architect based on shared vision, working relationship, references, cost of homes he/she does, and body of work

- be clear on what you want from the architect - full service or a la carte

- understand the capability of your builder. Can you/they fill in details without the architect or do they need it very specific (if you are doing fixed cost build, you probably want to consider very specific or you risk lots of change orders)

- make sure your builder and architect have a good working relationship. A lot of conflict can arise between differences between the two.

- if you are working from a plan that is already pretty close vs a blank slate, you might consider getting a designer/draftsman to alter the plans for significantly less money than an architect

- I would suggest you pay based on time/materials vs % of the cost of construction which is the way they often estimate. In my experience we would have paid a LOT more going the percentage route.

- Limit on-going changes. We rearranged some interior walls, etc. but did it with the builder and didn't ask the architect to redo the drawings to save money - worked out great.

Hope that helps