Most of problems can be avoided by asking five simple questions before signing the contract.
So if you're about to hire an architect for a new home or a significant remodel, here are the five critical questions you need to ask and why they matter.
Question 1: What's Your Professional Experience?
This is the most obvious question, and most people do ask it. But they ask it the wrong way.
Most clients ask: Have you done projects like mine before?
They want to know if the architect has designed a 6,000-square-foot house in their area, at their budget, in the style they're looking for. Traditional vs. modern. New construction vs. remodel.
And look—that's a valid question. You want some reassurance that the person you're hiring can deliver what you're looking for.
But here's the thing: that's actually the least important part of their experience.
What You Should Ask Instead
What you really need to know is this: Do they have an architectural education and professional experience practicing architecture?
And I know that sounds weird. You're thinking, Well, obviously. They're an architect, right?
Not necessarily.
Here's what I see all the time: clients hire someone they think is an experienced, licensed architect with a proper background—but after they're partway through the project and things aren't going well, they realize this person never studied architecture. They didn't practice at an architecture firm. They got some other degree, worked at an interior design office doing furnishings and decor, and then gradually evolved into "designing houses" because clients kept asking them to do more and more.
And now they call themselves a home designer. Or a residential designer. And they're charging architecture fees.
Why This Matters
There are three types of professionals who compete to design your home:
Architects — who approach design from a holistic, big-picture perspective
Contractors — who approach design from a pragmatic, technical, problem-solving perspective
Interior designers — who approach design from a visual, aesthetic, surface-level perspective
Contractors solve functional problems. They'll figure out how to make a room work, but they don't think about the big picture. They're hyper-focused on individual corners and rooms, not the whole composition.
Interior designers focus on finishes, materials, colors, textures, and furniture. They'll make things look beautiful, but they're not trained to think about structure, flow, spatial relationships, or how a house works as a complete system.
Architects sit in the center. They have the big-picture view and the problem-solving thinking. They understand structure, flow, light, proportion, materiality, and how all of it works together.
That skillset—that way of thinking—comes from a very specific education and very specific professional experience.
The Bottom Line
Ask your architect:
Did you study architecture?
Did you practice at an architecture firm doing architecture work?
If the answer is no, proceed with caution. You might still find someone great, but the odds are much lower.
You're hiring someone to design a building. Make sure they were actually trained to design buildings.
Question 2: What Will You Actually Design?
This is a huge one, and it's where a ton of confusion happens.
Most people assume that when they hire an architect, the architect is going to design everything. The whole house. Inside and out. Every detail.
But that's not always the case.
Some architects only design certain parts of a building. And you need to know upfront what they will and won't be responsible for.
What to Ask
Ask your architect: What physical parts of the project will you design, plan, and specify?
Here's a breakdown of what might—or might not—be included:
Site planning: Where the house sits on the lot, how you access it, how it relates to the landscape. Most architects do this.
Exterior design: The massing, the facades, the roof, the windows. Most architects do this too.
Landscaping: The architect usually does the site plan, but the actual plant selections? That's typically a landscape designer or landscape architect. (Though this can vary.)
Interior layouts: The floor plans—where rooms go, how they connect, where fixtures and appliances are placed. Most architects do this.
Finishes and materials: This is where it gets fuzzy. Will your architect specify the countertops? The cabinet finishes? The wood species and stain? The tile? The flooring? The faucets? The lighting, both recessed and decorative?
Some architects do all of this. Especially high-end residential firms who treat every project as a capital-P creative endeavor. They want authorship over every detail because they're investing 2-5 years into the project and they want it to be beautiful and cohesive.
Other architects don't touch any of it. They'll design the floor plan and the exterior, and then they'll expect you (or an interior designer) to handle all the finish selections.
Both approaches are valid. But you need to know which one you're getting.
Why This Matters
If you assume your architect is going to design everything, and then halfway through construction you realize you need to pick out all the tile, faucets, cabinet finishes, and lighting fixtures yourself—and you have no idea how to do that—you're going to be scrambling to find someone to help you. And you're going to be stressed.
Or worse, you'll just pick things randomly, and the final result won't feel cohesive.
So ask upfront: What will you design, and what won't you design?
And if there are gaps between what they're offering and what you need, figure out how to fill them before you start.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask Basic Questions
I know some clients feel embarrassed asking basic questions because they don't want to look ignorant. They're afraid the architect will think less of them or take advantage of them.
But here's the truth: you're not expected to know all of this. There's no shame in asking.
And honestly, if an architect makes you feel bad for asking basic questions, that's a red flag. You don't want to work with someone like that.
Question 3: What's Your Process?
You need to understand what you're signing up for. Not just vaguely, but specifically.
Ask your architect: What are the phases of this project, and what happens during each one?
The Big Picture
There are industry-standard phases that most projects go through:
Schematic Design — Early concepts, exploring options
Design Development — Refining the design, making decisions
Construction Documentation — Producing detailed drawings for the contractor
Bidding / Negotiation — Getting bids from contractors
Construction Administration — Oversight during construction
Ask for an overview of each phase. What will happen? How long will it take? What will you see?
The Critical Phase: Construction Administration
This is the phase that gets skipped most often—and it's a huge problem.
Construction Administration (CA) is when the architect stays involved during construction to make sure everything is being built correctly. They visit the site regularly, review the work, answer questions from the contractor, review shop drawings and submittals, and help solve problems as they come up.
A lot of clients don't realize this phase exists. They think the architect's job ends once the drawings are done.
And some architects don't offer it—because it's the phase where architects typically lose money. It's time-intensive, unpredictable, and hard to budget for.
But skipping CA is a huge mistake.
If you talk to any good contractor, they'll tell you: Do not go through construction without your architect. They want the architect involved. They want someone to answer design questions, clarify details, and help solve problems.
Without CA, you're on your own with the contractor. And unless you have the time, expertise, and confidence to manage that yourself, things are going to fall through the cracks.
Why This Matters
Ask your architect upfront: Will you provide Construction Administration? What does that include? How often will you visit the site?
If they don't offer CA—or if they offer it as an optional add-on and you're not sure if you need it—that's a red flag.
You need CA. Don't skip it.
Question 4: What Will I Actually See?
This is another area where assumptions cause problems.
Ask your architect: What deliverables will you provide during the design process?
What You Should Expect to See
At a minimum, you should see:
Floor plans — Drawn to scale, accurately
Elevations — Side views showing what the house looks like from the outside and key interior spaces
3D images — So you can actually visualize what the space will feel like
Some people can read floor plans and visualize the space in their head. Most people can't. And that's totally normal.
If you can't picture it from a plan, you need to see 3D images. Otherwise, you're going in blind, and you won't know if you like the design until it's too late to change it.
Different Types of 3D Images
Not all 3D images are created equal. Some are hand-sketched watercolors (more abstract). Some are basic computer models (enough to understand the space). Some are photorealistic renderings (beautiful, but not always necessary).
Ask what type of 3D images you'll get. Make sure it's enough for you to understand what you're approving.
Why This Matters
I've seen clients who never saw a 3D image of their house until construction started. And when they finally saw it taking shape, they realized: This doesn't work for us.
At that point, it's too late. You can't make major changes. You're stuck with it.
So before you approve the design, make sure you've seen it in a way you can actually understand.
If your architect isn't offering 3D images, ask for them. If they push back, that's a red flag.
Question 5: What's in the Contract?
Most people want a short contract because it feels simpler and less intimidating.
But a short contract is a red flag.
Here's why.
Why Long Contracts Are Better
You're about to embark on a multi-year project with 7-8 different phases, dozens (or hundreds) of professionals involved, and a ton of complexity.
The contract should reflect that complexity.
A good contract covers:
What happens during each phase
Who's responsible for what
What the architect will deliver
What the architect won't be responsible for (so there's no confusion later)
How changes are handled
How disputes are resolved
Payment terms
If you spend 10 minutes writing a one-page contract, it tells me you didn't put much thought into it. You're not being thorough. And when problems come up—and they will—there's nothing in the contract to guide how to resolve them.
A longer, more detailed contract means the architect has thought through the process. They've anticipated what might go wrong. They've spelled out how to handle it. And both parties have agreed upfront.
That's a good thing.
What Length Should You Expect?
For a complicated residential project—new home or significant remodel—expect 8-12 pages.
If you're hiring a large, established firm, it might be even longer.
If you're doing a small, simple project (like a bathroom remodel), it might be shorter.
But if you're building a new house or doing a major renovation and someone hands you a two-page contract? That's a problem.
Ask Them to Walk You Through It
Contracts are hard to read. There's legal language, architectural terminology, and a lot of details.
So ask your architect to walk you through the contract and explain what everything means in plain language.
They should be able to explain:
What they're responsible for
What you're responsible for
What the contractor does
What happens if something goes wrong
If they can't explain it clearly, that's a red flag.
Bonus: Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions
I know this might feel overwhelming. You're not an architect. You're not expected to know all of this.
But that's exactly why you need to ask.
The architects worth working with will be happy to answer your questions. They'll be transparent. They'll walk you through the process. They'll make sure you understand what you're signing up for.
The ones who get defensive, dismissive, or evasive? Those are the ones you want to avoid.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an architect is a big decision. It's a multi-year relationship. It's a significant financial investment.
Don't rush into it.
Ask these five questions. Make sure you understand what you're getting. And trust your gut.
If something feels off during the interview process, it's probably going to feel off during the project too.
But if you find someone who's transparent, experienced, and genuinely excited to work with you? That's the person you want on your team.
Good luck.