While building parts of your house, with your own hands might be appealing, is it also really doable for you? Just making decisions when building a house can feel like a full time job, lots of people also have a full time job that enables them to have a house built, and on top of those things you want to add actually doing some building parts yourself? If it’s doable then the first architect sounds like the right fit for you. And if I ever referred to someone as a slick salesman it would be because there was something I didn’t trust, and no way I’d hire an architect I didn’t trust regardless of how polished his built resume was.

I'd continue exploring the first guy. Your job isn't that big. It seems complex to you. Your opinion isn't that informed. You can easily do some things, like wiring and painting. The first guy will help you pick subs to stay on budget. Post floorplans for feedback.

I will say right off that no way will most good contractors let you help. The most porably would be painting and IMO you leave all of this to the pros. I have no idea what you are actually planning do at least post some pics here of the house as it is and the plan you have going forward.IMO seeing finished decorated homes is not ideal you usually get lost in the decor and not the bones. That actaully is why if looking for a home I like it empty. I kind of lean towards the first guy but choosing the right architect is tricky. I will say if this includes a new kitchen in my experience architects and not good kitchen designers so make sure you have an independant KD right from the beginning. Some architects have one in house some not.

Can you talk to some of the people that the architects have designed houses for and the builders that built some of the houses they designed?

We went and looked at several houses they had completed - seeing the houses in person helped a lot - also think @Mark Bischak, Architect has great advice

But talk to the people to get their experience and advice.

Payment terms are important.

We were ready to go with another firm (architectural technologists) but their schedule was front-loaded and incredibly complicated. Sorry, I'm not paying 25% in advance.

None of the architects or technologists we employed have visited the lots. That's what Streetscape and photos are for. (Maybe it's different for the typical Houzz poster with dozens of rolling acres to play with.)

The architect should visit the site before starting design. The design should take into account not just the land owned by the client, but also the environment in which the site sets. Without sounding too spaced out, each piece of property has a certain vibe that the design should reflect.

My recommendation for you of the first guy is based on you being able to avoid a GC and the surcharge he brings. No GC means you decide who does what. The first guy has the experience to help you understand what it takes to do that successfully. This is more learning and responsibility. You can save if you put in the effort.

"I want to do a major renovation that will be about as involved as building new, and it will require some challenging reworking as the interior space is somewhat structural, and it will need to be changed to be livable."

Have to ask, have you talked to a contractor to get an idea of what pricing might be for a major/challenging remodel project compared to a tear down and building a brand new house?

My Architect had a very basic web presence, as did the contractors/builders I have used before. They get their work through referrals and not through their websites.

@User Yes, I have experience building some things, just not a full house. I have some heavy equipment such as a backhoe.

@JAN MOYER Thank you for the very insightful comment. I have a detailed photo gallery and I've had a builder on site as well as another architect put together as-built drawings. None of the architects have been to the site yet, but I think I'm going to go with your advice. Excellent insight into the glossy mag firm. I do have an interesting project that I think would have anyone interested, because it does have the capability to be a glossy mag showpiece without being $1k/sf.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting Thanks, it didn't occur to me that the decorations were distracting me so much from the architecture.

@Mark Bischak, Architect I'm going to try this, thanks. It's not super easy.

@worthy what kind of payment terms would you be looking for?

@chispa Not an option. The building is special. But it needs maintenance, and it won't get the $ unless I put it in this way. The builder I'm talking to is a referral. No advice on the architect from them though.

At the risk of complicating your choice, you don't just need to pick an architect. You need to assemble a team of professionals that will work together with you and each other to get you from an idea in your head to a completed project that (hopefully) meets your objectives. If you're planning to do some of the work yourself, make that known to potential contractors and discuss alternatives. Some may be willing to let you do some of the work, others will walk (run, really) away from the project. Get your team on board early in the design process and tap the expertise each team member has to offer.

@worthy what kind of payment terms would you be looking for?

Our last build, we paid a retainer of 12.5%, a further 43.75% after completion of project background and schematic design and the balance after permit drawings were approved by the City. The contract allocated 300 hours for this service, after which time we were to be charged hourly rates of C$50-C$150, depending on the seniority of the contact. (Rates are from 4.5 years ago.)

I was upfront with him, explaining a background as a licensed builder who wasn't going to be fussing, indecisive and second-guessing every choice. The dapper, suave, articulate architecture professor co-heading the firm was not who we actually worked with. (You think when you get a Robert A.M. Stern home, he's fussing over it?)

Not having had experience with the City we were in, the Principal architect was mightily peeved at the extra hours he claimed his team had put in on the project without compensation.

Footnote: As per @Mark Bischak, Architect, I see that Item 1.1 of the "Scope of the Work" includes"...walk the site." And 1.2 "Study sketches in 3D of ... main interior spaces...." Neither were done.

......

Unless we were in the C$10 million+ range and were a recognizable name, we would never have expected an architect to visit the site before a contract was signed. Professionals don't waste time. Unless it's on Houzz!

That "Team" is:

You

Architect

Builder

Interior designer

Pro kitchen/bath designer

Every single one on same page, weekly meet at min.

That's HOW you get the glossy "magazine" ready result. That suits you, the building and all else. Every detail, and seamless flow with respect to walls, space, and all finishes. Everywhere

"Unless it's on Houzz!"

Hey!! I'm on my break.

"Professionals don't waste time. Unless it's on Houzz!"

I agree. With this economy I'm always amazed at how much time is spent on here by the professionals. And abundant time to do free design work to boot! I don't do it here because I value my education and experience and believe it has value to others. That, and the fact that we're not helping out Habitat for Humanity or someone who's house burned down. Most of the folks posting here are pretty well off or at least well off enough to be upgrading from something lessor and they have probably gotten into that position by valuing their own education and expertise in whatever they do and charged others handsomely for it.