Choosing the Right Architect

Selecting the right architect for your home goes beyond reviewing a firm’s experience, billing rates and reputation. Selecting the right firm for your particular project takes digging deeper and asking the right questions. Here are three key considerations: 

Value: A home designed by a well-known, award-winning architectural firm can bring tremendous resale value. Realtors agree that per-square-foot sales figures are boosted when a home is designed by a widely recognized architectural firm.

It’s all in the details: Architectural photography can go a long way toward making homes look their best in photos. That’s why it’s always beneficial to see an architect’s work in person. Make arrangements to walk through projects completed by the architect and look at the “fine print.” Touring projects can also help you evaluate and choose a general contractor, as you’ll be able to see the quality of a firm’s craftsmanship. The architect and builder are the two biggest players in the construction of your home, and spending adequate time with each can be instrumental in your design project’s success.

Who will design my project: All design projects have their ups and downs. Be sure to meet the team members you’ll be working with on a day-to-day basis. Always request a meeting with the potential project team to determine if your personalities and priorities mesh. It’s a long relationship, and one that can be very enjoyable and exciting with the right team involved.

Charles Cunniffe, founder of Charles Cunniffe Architects, offers high-end residential and commercial design services, land planning and interiors to clients throughout the United States and abroad. View his profile or contact him at (970) 925-5590.

Content for this article provided by Charles Cunniffe Architects.