Choosing the right architect is absolutely essential to a successful project. So, it's vital to find an architect who listens and understands your style and needs.  Once you've decided, here are a few simple things to do before meeting with us:
 

Collect an Idea Portfolio

Go through magazines, either pulling out or marking pages that have pictures that appeal to you. The most comprehensive portfolios would have pictures in each of a number of categories, such as Exterior Appearance, Kitchen Ideas, Bathroom Ideas, Landscape Ideas, Window Ideas, Flooring Ideas and so on. However, if you do not have time to make an extensive collection, any pictures you provide will be extremely helpful.  These photos will help to inform us of your style and general likes and dislikes.

Form a List

Create a list of some of the uses that you want your new project (house or building) to fulfill. This list could include things like the number of family, guests or employees who would normally be using it, and the types of requirements you have for dining, entertaining, working, solitary activities, and recreation.

Through work and discussion with us this list may change dramatically, however an initial list to get the ball rolling and open topics for discussion makes our meeting progress more efficiently.

Realistic Budget

It is important to know in advance what your budget will be.
Some people make the mistake of choosing design features that far exceed their budget. This results in ’shock and awe’ when the construction cost is revealed, and disappointment when the project has to be scaled back to a realistic cost. Your Architect should be advising you, all the way along in the design process, the relative cost of your plans.

It pays to be totally honest and realistic about your budget with your Architect.

Open Your Mind

This is the last, but possibly the most important, part about getting your money’s worth from your use of a talented Architect.

An Architect is trained to creatively design a structure that meets your needs, while it reflects your tastes. If you are too prescriptive with your Architect, you are not maximizing his/her talent to create something that is uniquely yours.