The Ultimate Guide: Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Architect

Hiring an architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building or remodeling your home.

Whether you’re designing a modern retreat in Marin or upgrading a family home in San Francisco, the right architect can bring your vision to life and help you avoid costly missteps along the way.

But how do you know who’s the right fit?

In this Ultimate Guide, we walk you through the most important questions to ask before hiring an architect. From experience to communication to permitting, these questions are designed to protect your investment and set your project up for success.

Part 1: Understanding an architect's vision and experience

1. What types of projects have you designed in my area?

Architecture is local. Every city (and often every neighborhood) has its own zoning rules, approval boards, and unspoken expectations. Ask about experience with local building departments, homeowner associations, and historical review committees. Familiarity can save you months.

2. Can I see recent projects similar to mine?

A portfolio tells you what an architect does, not just what they say they do. Look for homes with a similar budget, aesthetic, or site constraints (steep slopes, narrow lots, ADUs, etc.). Ask what challenges came up and how they solved them.

3. What are your design values and how do they shape a home?

Every architect has a design philosophy. Some focus on sustainability. Others prize symmetry or historical continuity. At UBW, we design natural homes that prioritize light, flow, and wellness while working with the land, not against it.

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Part 2: An architect's role in design and collaboration

4. Can you walk me through your full design and build process?

Good design starts with understanding how you live. A thoughtful architect will want to know things like: Who gets up first in the morning? How do you spend weekends? Where do you want to feel most relaxed? The best projects are deeply personal. A good architect knows how to listen.

5. How will you collaborate with us and the rest of the team?

Architects don’t work alone. They should be comfortable collaborating with interior designers, engineers, and contractors. Ask how they manage that coordination and how they ensure your vision doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

6. What happens if we want to make changes during the design?

Spoiler: You probably will. That’s normal. The key is how changes are handled and what impact that will have on your overall budget. Make sure your architect sees the design process as a flexible conversation, not a fixed contract.

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Part 3: Staying on budget and navigating risks

7. How do you help clients stay within budget?

It’s not enough to ask, "What will this cost?" The better question is, "How do you help me make smart cost decisions?" At UBW, we approach design with real-time construction costs in mind. Ask whether your architect uses cost estimators, builder input, or value-engineering strategies early in the process.

8. What’s your approach to cost transparency?

Will you receive updated budget projections as the design evolves? How are soft costs (permits, design fees) tracked and communicated? The best architects make budget tracking a visible, ongoing part of the process.

9. How do you manage unforeseen conditions?

Every project has curveballs, such as soil issues, city delays, or hidden structural problems. What matters is how your architect responds to these. Do they build contingency plans into timelines? Do they take the lead on problem-solving when the unexpected happens?

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Part 4: Guiding process and permitting

10. What’s your experience with local permitting and approvals?

A beautiful home on paper means nothing if it never gets built. Your architect should have a deep understanding of zoning laws, building codes, and the approval process in your city or county. Ask how many projects they’ve taken through planning in your area. How do they handle public hearings, neighbor feedback, or design review boards?

11. Will you serve as architect of record or collaborate with others?

If you’re working with an out-of-area designer, your local architect may serve as the architect of record by managing permitting and construction documents. Make sure expectations are clear. Who’s drawing what? Who’s liable for what? Who answers the contractor’s calls on site?

12. How do you communicate with clients throughout the project?

Clear communication prevents confusion and builds trust. How often will your architect meet with you? Who will be your main point of contact? Ask how often you’ll get updates and what kind of access you’ll have to your architect throughout the project.

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Part 5: Role during construction and oversight

13. What’s your role during construction?

Some architects disappear after the permit is approved. Others stay hands-on, visiting the site, answering contractor questions, and solving problems in real time. Ask whether your architect provides construction administration, and if so, what it includes.

14. Do you recommend specific contractors or builders?

While you’re not obligated to work with your architect’s preferred builders, it can be a huge advantage. Shared experience leads to smoother execution. Ask how your architect vets contractors and whether they’ll help you compare bids.

15. What happens after move-in?

A great architect shouldn’t vanish when the house is done. Will they walk through the space with you to create a punch list? Will they be available if issues arise? At UBW, we believe long-term relationships are part of good architecture.

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Final thoughts: Why these questions matter when hiring an architect

Building a home is a major life event. It's emotional, financial, and deeply personal. It’s important to trust your architect, share values, and understand the process.

Asking the right questions helps you:

• Protect your investment

• Avoid delays and cost overruns

• Ensure your architect understands your lifestyle

• Build a home that supports your long-term goals

A great architect will welcome any and all questions you may have. Patience is essential because thoughtful decisions take time, and clients deserve clear, confident guidance at every step of the design process.

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Looking for an architect you can trust? Let’s talk. Urban Building Workshop brings 25 years of experience in architecture, construction, and real estate development. We serve residential and commercial clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California.