How do we find an architect or designer? Article
i.Dwell Pty Ltd

Finding the right architect/designer/draftsman to undertake your home renovation is not an easy task. Most people search the internet, talk to friends and colleagues, ask on forums or even find a house they like and contact that architect. While these are all useful you must be very careful and know exactly what your goals are. So before you begin you should have the following prepared:

1. Survey – While a full property survey with spot levels will not be necessary a property survey showing boundary dimensions and overall plot size along with any marketing type plans (ie.Domain floor plan) will help.
2. Goals and priorities - You really need to put your priorities in order of importance as quite often either the budget or the space does not allow for all your desires.
3. Budget – You need to be realistic in relation to where your property is located. Building in places like inner Sydney are very very expensive and you should ensure you have done some homework before contacting architects/designers.
4. Images - Magazine photos and the like indicating style/finishes of what you like and are looking for will be helpful for the architect/designer. If your budget is tight then you need to be realistic from the get go and don’t think you can get your architect/designer to design a cheap version, for example “you cannot build a $50,000 stair for $20,000”.
5. Timeframe – It is important to establish a preferred start and finish date. You should also work out if the work is going to be staged over a number of years.

Now you need to figure out if you need an architect, a designer or a draftsman?
First off it depends on the scale of work you are undertaking. If you are planning to undertake a major renovation or a build a new house then you shouldn’t be considering draftsmen and should look at architecture firms or sole practitioners. Also don’t consider an architect/designer who is employed by another firm full time as you will not get the level of service required, especially during the construction stage of the project.

1. The term designer is used often in the industry as the use of the title "architect" is strictly regulated and only those who are members of the “Board of Architects” may use it. A designer can be someone whom holds an architecture degree but for whatever reason has not pursued becoming registered. It does not necessarily mean that they are better/worse or more expensive/cheaper as both can undertake your home renovation for you.
2. You can use an interior designer if you were only working internally and I would strongly recommend that you check that the designer has an architecture degree if you plan on doing anything structural. In most renovations a designer or architect can meet your needs.
3. Draftsmen are worthwhile if your renovation is straightforward or small and good or bad you know exactly what you want. They will be cheaper than a professional but may not have the design flair you are looking for.

The next step is to make sure you find the right architect, designer or draftsman to undertake their home renovation. The word designer below refers to either of the above depending on what you decide is best.

1. Word of mouth is generally how people find a designer but it isn’t the only way and you should definitely do some checking around on forums and websites.
2. If your budget is tight you need to find a designer who is value conscious first and a good designer second. Believe me this is not an easy task.
3. It is recommended you meet with at least two designers to discuss the project. Again please make sure you are prepared as to not waste any designers time as they are in a service industry and profit solely on hours worked. Most designer will undertake the initial consultation free of charge although some of the more desirable ones may charge a small fee.
4. In the initial meeting you need to make sure you ask all the right questions:

• Are you registered?
• Do you work on a percentage fee or lump sum, are you registered?
• Do you have insurance?
• How many residential projects have you done?
• How many alterations and additions have you done?
• Who else would work on my project? Ie. Draftsman or junior architect/desiger?
• Many architects speak in a different jargon that is hard for people to understand. Don’t be intimidated and instead ask if they can speak your language.
• Request a scope of services and fee proposal.

Now that you have met each designer and have the fee proposals how do you decide?

1. In these meetings you will get to understand how the designer works, listens, and communicates. How they respond to your goals and priorities will be important in determining if you can work easily with this person and if they are on the same wavelength.
2. It is very important that you find someone you can trust and communicate with as the project is your home and it is your money.
3. You will need to weigh the fees up against their skills, knowledge, experience and personality. Your priority shouldn’t be to save $1,000 as you will be working very closely with this person for the next 6 to18 months and over the time frame money the fee amount will be secondary. Also ensure you closely compare their scope of services as often this is the reason their fees may vary dramatically.

Final advice
Even though this is a personal project for you the designer is being paid for a service. The vast majority of designers are not impartial and will not look after your financial interests. Their first priority will be to design the best alteration and addition they can to meet all your goals, dreams and priorities. One final warning is to make sure you and your designer are confident that a design is within the budget before proceeding to the next stage of the design process.

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