Once you have your design brief, make an appointment to meet with each designer on your short list. Most architects and designers offer a free first meeting.

If you already have a builder in mind, you may like to involve them at this stage. This may cost you, but it also provides you with an expert to ascertain the credentials of each designer. Alternatively, arrange a brief second meeting with your final choice as a builder sign off.

If possible, meet at your house. It is easier to walk around with the designer discussing your ideas, as presented in the design brief.

At the initial meeting first establish the parameters of their services, then if you are happy with that, proceed to discuss your particular requirements.

Parameters Of Design Service Provided

The parameters of their design services include:

Their qualifications. Include any licenses held, if required for your area.
Memberships to design professional organizations
Capability and resources to do the job in your timeframe
Examples of remodeling or renovation work they have already done. Ask them to point out what elements they specifically suggested to the owners. This not only gives you an idea of their experience, but also their tastes.
Range of services they provide. Clarify any special areas of interest they have.
Whether they provide a management administration service, if you require this. Check whether this is compulsory with them.
Whether they use a CAD [Computer Assisted Design] system. Most modern designers do, but it pays to check. Using a CAD saves a lot of time and make changes easy. That all converts into dollars, your dollars.
Fee structure – how they calculate fees, and when progress payments are expected.
References from clients
Whether they have professional indemnity insurance cover.

Then if you are happy with their responses:

Review your initial design brief. Show the architect/designer any rough sketches and ask for their initial reaction.
Ask if they think you are being realistic in terms of budget for your proposed work.
If possible go look at some of their previous work together.

Danger Signs

There are certain things that ring alarms bells during this first meeting.

Arrogance

The last designer I engaged basically told me that he was the designer and I was just the idiot owner, within the first few sentences. We were not even inside the house, after walking him from his car!! Little did he know that I had more architectural design qualifications than he did!

Sometimes silent power is more lethal than words. Working with this type of designer is always trouble as they seek to impose all their personal preferences into your home.

Always ask for their ideas but remember it is you that will be living in the final product.

Current Commitments

The words “I can probably fit this in as its just a small job”. With remodeling and renovations, you never really know how big or small the job is until you start pulling apart the existing home. The last thing you need is to find out that the proposed design no longer works, and the designer is too busy to redo any areas needed. You don’t want to have to start again with another designer. So clarify that should this happen they will deal to the problem with expediency. As your builders are on the clock you don’t want them hanging around doing nothing waiting for the new plans.

If the architect or designer is too busy to take on the job, they should say so at that first meeting.

Ask them to suggest someone else.

Lack of Empathy

At the end of the meeting ask the designer to reiterate what they perceive you want. If its too far off the mark, warning bells start ringing. They either just didn’t listen or have little empathy for your ideas.
They will most likely use the services of a number of other people, for example surveyors and structural engineers, who they would engage on your behalf. This should be sorted at the initial meeting.

Professional indemnity insurance

Any person offering professional services must take responsibility for the advice they give.
If an architect or any other type of designer gives you bad advice, or designs that just don’t work, they are deemed negligent’ in their duty to you.

PI insurance is for the immediate benefit of the architect/designer, not the client. However, it is in your interests that the person you employ is covered. If there is a problem down the track, at least you know they can pay for the repairs and remedy the problem. If not, it’s you that will end up paying, and long drawn out court battles to recover your remedy costs are costly and stressful.

PI insurance is not compulsory for an architect/designer.

Next Step: 3 Stages Of Design Drawings

Designing Your Own Games Room

Renovating Your Basement

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Using Concrete Flooring For Living Areas

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Your Initial Meeting With Your Designer