20 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Started

1. Where do you live now?

What do you like about it?

What's missing?

What don't you like?

2. Do you want to change or add to the space you have?

3. Do you want to build a new house?

4. Why do you want to build a new house or add to or renovate your current home?

Do you need more room?

Are children grown and moving?

Is your life-style changing?

Are parents or children returning to live with you?

5. What is your life-style?

Are you at home a great deal?

Do you work at home?

Do you entertain often?

How much time do you spend in living areas, bedrooms, kitchen, den or office, utility space, etc.?

6. How much time and energy are you willing to invest to maintain your home?

7. If you are thinking of adding on, what functions/activities will be housed in the new space?

8. What kind of spaces do you need, e.g., bedrooms, expanded kitchen, bathrooms, etc.?

9. How many of those spaces do you think you need?

10. What do you think the addition/renovation/new home should look like?

11. How much disruption in you life can you tolerate to add on to or renovate your home?

12. How soon would you like to be settled into your new home or addition? Are there rigid time constraints?

13. If planning on a new home, what do you envision in this home that you don't have now?

14. If you are contemplating building a home, do you have a site selected?

15. Do you have strong ideas about design styles?

What are your design preferences?

16. Who will be the primary contact with the architect, contractor, and others involved in designing and building your project? (It is good to have on point of contact to prevent confusion and mixed messages)

17. What qualities are you looking for in an architect?

18. How much time do you have to be involved in the design and construction process?

19. Do you plan to do any of the work yourself?

20. Regardless whether its an addition or a new home, how much can you realistically afford to spend?

Once you have answered these questions, you will be better able to talk with an architect. The more detailed information you can give, the easier it will be for the architect to address your needs.