Expert: John Henry Architect - 7/9/2009

Question
My husband and I just purchased a beautiful 4 acre piece of land and are planning on 3-4 yrs before building. I know we want an architect but don't know where or when to start. Can you set me on the right path?
C

Answer
Hello,
Referrals from friends first are a good place to start looking for an architect.  Having satisfied someone you know is akin to asking for a doctor referral.
Check out local home builder events.  Parade of Homes or Street of Dreams showcase the areas best architects and builders, but not in every case.
Many very good architects do not enter these programs due to low fees associated with the promotional benefits.
Very prominent or famous home design architects have books published, so look through the architecture section at your local bookstores.
Most architects are registered with the AIA but some are not.  The local chapter will forward a list of firms.

Architects specialize generally in certain styles or type of work.
Do not visit an architect whose major production or specialty is gas stations or medical clinics for example.
Residential design should be a specialty you should seek out unless the firm is doing  commercial work primarily but has done several houses and has received some notoriety for them.

The style and size of house is also a key.  Try to find a local architect first who can produce, or has produced (better) the style and size of house you have in mind.  You may ask referrals from builders or real estate agents but keep in mind any potential reason for singling out an architect.

You can also start online and type in search words for your area such as:
"New England style residential home architect Atlanta".
If you cannot find a local or regional firm then search for other general terms: "Luxury Mediterranean custom home architect"
Long distance does not hinder many national firms from working with you.  Depending on the scope of work you may require only a Permit Set which would be the basic set needed, in addition to structural engineering (by a local firm).  Out of state firms may require reciprocal licensing through the NCARB which would take one or two months.

Since you have three to four years planning ahead of you, you have time to read several books on designing your house and interviewing architects.  A rather small regional generic design(under 3,000 SF)s should take about 3-6 months to complete the basic drawings.  Larger and more complicated homes may take 8 months or longer depending if the architect is also creating interior design drawings and full specifications.

The size and reputation of the firm usually has a correlation to fees.  Generally speaking a larger staff and published work indicates higher relative fees.   Fees can be assessed as on a fixed rate or percentage of construction cost.  Fees are based on the scope of work desired.

You may also find firms selling pre-designed home plans.  Buying three of more at a local bookstore will start you off with studying how floor plan layouts work, some better than others of course.  The actual 'blueprint' cost may be a fraction of a custom design as long as your basic needs are met.  On a flat property most of the pre-designed sets will 'work'.  If you have a sloping or irregular lot additional design will be required and normally a redraw.  You may also combine features you like from several designs into a new plan providing the final design does not infringe on the copyright of another designer's work.  'Stock plans' also may have to be altered to comply with local construction methods.

Green design is also gaining popularity but it comes at a higher front end cost -- from 15-30% depending on how intricate the systems considered.  Simple concepts such as orienting the house towards the best solar angles, taking advantage of micro climate and available tree shading are worth investigating.  Adding insulation to roofs and walls is the first step and not an expensive one.  Making sure windows and doors do not leak means an upgrade.  Double or triple pane glass, depending on your longitudinal location, low E, and consideration of roofing materials and thickness/materials of perimeter walls also important.  You might wish to investigate VOC (volatile organic compound) content of interior materials as some toxicity can be harmful.

These are some of the preliminary considerations to keep in mind.  Let me know if you have any others.

For a free home design questionnaire for you and to anyone else who reads this response please send an email with the words 'AllExperts Questionnaire'.