The Architectural Proposal Interview

 


When you’ve reached the stage in your project where you’ve received architectural design proposals from all the firms on your shortlist, it’s now time to schedule interviews with each firm. If you’re someone who is going through this process for the first time, you may not know what questions to ask or how to decide which architect is the best fit. 

To help, we’ve put together a list of questions we recommend you ask during the interviews:

  • What sets you apart from other architects who have similar experience and a similar portfolio?
  • Do you foresee encountering any challenges with my project? How is your firm equipped to handle these challenges?
  • Which people from your firm will I be working with on a daily basis?
  • What do you think are the most important things for me to consider about my project? 
  • How many phases will the project be divided into, and what does each phase entail?
  • How disruptive will construction be during each phase? What can my neighbors expect?
  • Will I be expected to work directly with the contractor on a daily basis?
  • Can you give me an itemized list of everything that’s included in your fee?
  • If we change certain elements of my project after we begin, how will this impact my budget?
  • What is your firm’s track record for completing projects on time and within budget?

If your project will be focused on sustainable design and you’re choosing architects based on their “green” expertise, you’ll want to ask the following questions:

  • Can you show me previous sustainable projects you’ve built?
  • How do you plan to integrate sustainable design strategies into my project?
  • How will you decide which sustainable design strategies are best to use for my project, and how have you used these strategies in the past?
  • How will the sustainable elements of my project impact the budget and the timeline? 

Finding a custom home architect in NJ 

Choosing an architect is a serious decision. We know you’re eager to get your custom home started, but we recommend carefully considering your options before making your final choice. You’ll be working and communicating with this person for the duration of your project, so it’s important that your styles align, and you should have complete oversight of the budget and timeline. 

For more information about how our architects can help you with your project, or if you have any questions about building a custom home, please contact our team today. Discover why so many people in NJ choose us as their architectural design firm. 

Originally posted https://leeb-architecture.com/the-architectural-proposal-interview/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Biophilic Design Can Increase Workplace Productivity

Image
Biophilic design has changed how we think about creating workspaces. By bringing natural elements into the built environment, biophilic design creates a peaceful and productive atmosphere that significantly affects how people are in the workplace. In this article, our team of  commercial architects in NJ  discuss the biophilic design concept and how it can change the way people work for the better.  What is “Biophilic Design” and How Does it Affect Work Environments? Biophilic design is a new way of building that tries to bring people closer to nature by using natural elements, materials, and shapes in buildings. It considers the fact that people innately have the need to be in touch with nature, and utilizes that connection to make us healthier and more productive. Research  has shown that the way a workplace is designed can have a significant effect on how employees feel and how well they do their jobs. Biophilic office design uses natural light, plants, and organic materials to lowe
Read more

Essential Restaurant Design Tips from a Commercial Architect

Image
A successful restaurant brings many different elements together to deliver a comprehensively enjoyable experience to diners – and one of the most critical of these elements is the design of the space itself. Here are some insights from a  commercial architect  in NJ on how to make the most of your restaurant design. Prioritize your spending:  Restaurant design and fitment costs can escalate rapidly and the sky’s the limit. It’s best to first focus your spending on the most critical areas – creating a functional layout for the kitchen and dining space, installing effective task and dining lighting, and investing in robust and comfortable seating that fits the space. Settle on your brand and image:  After the budget is set for those areas, look for a few striking elements to add personality to your space and advertise your brand. It’s important that these elements are well thought-out and directly align with the restaurant’s overall theme. Here, customization is a great idea – h
Read more

Ideas for Building a Flood-Proof Home

Image
During the rainy season, New Jersey homeowners are faced with the risk of their home flooding, causing structural damage and the loss of their belongings. According to National Flood Insurance program statistics for 2016, New Jersey homeowners accounted for over 232,000 policies worth $56 billion in flood insurance and received over $6.1 billion in claims payments between 1978 and 2015. With this in mind, it makes sense to incorporate strategies for flood prevention into your home’s architecture. Here are some tips from a  leading architect in NJ . Know if you’re in a high-risk zone:  A great source for information about flooding in your area are the FEMA Flood Zone Maps, which you can access online. These maps use aqua markers to indicate if an area is below the flood marker. Ask your architect to determine your BFE (base flood elevation) and DFE (design flood elevation) to ensure that your house is set at the correct height and according to building codes. Ask for a topo
Read more