40 Questions to Ask an Architect: Your Complete Guide

How to Choose the Right Architect

Choosing the right architect is one of the most important decisions you will make for your project. A good architect does more than design a beautiful space – they help you navigate complex planning requirements, manage budgets, and guide the project through design and construction with clarity and care. Asking the right questions early on will help you understand an architect’s experience, approach, and how they will work with you to bring your vision to life. Use the questions below as a guide when interviewing potential architects so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

Understanding the Architectural Profession

In Australia, architects are registered professionals who must meet strict education, registration, and ongoing professional development requirements. Many architects are also members of the Australian Institute of Architects, the national professional body that promotes high standards of design, ethics, and professional practice. Understanding this professional framework can help you feel confident that you are engaging a suitably qualified architect for your project.

In Victoria, architects must be registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, the statutory authority responsible for regulating the profession and protecting consumers. Registration confirms that an architect meets required competency standards and is accountable for their professional conduct. This distinction can help you differentiate between registered architects and other design practitioners, and ask more informed questions from the outset of your project.

Experience & Portfolio

• Have you worked on any projects like this before?
• Have you had any experience with this size of project?
• What point of difference does your practice have from other architects with similar experience?
• Can I see your portfolio of similar projects?
• Who from your practice would I be dealing with on a regular basis? Would this person be designing my project?

Understanding Your Project

• Are you interested enough in my project to make it a priority?
• What challenges do you foresee for my project?
• Do you see any challenges with my site?
• Do you see any important issues or considerations with my project?

Design Approach

• Would you create a detailed project brief?
• Can you explain the design process?
• Do you use 3D design software?
• What is your experience with sustainable design?

Town Planning & Approvals

• Would my project need Town Planning approval?
• Does my project have any Town Planning overlays I should be aware of? This is particularly important for heritage-listed properties or homes affected by heritage overlays, where additional approvals and design constraints apply.
• Have you worked with this council before?

Construction Process

• Do you have builders you can recommend?
• What potential delay could there be on site that I should be aware of?
• What role do you play during the construction stage?
• Can I stay in my home during the construction?

Timeline & Scheduling

• How long would it take to get my project to site?
• How long would my project take to get Town Planning approval?
• Besides Town Planning what things can delay a project getting to site?
• How long do you think the construction stage might take?

Fees & Scope of Services

• How do you charge?
• In anticipation of a Client and Architect Agreement, what would you expect my project fees to be on this project?
• Can you confirm the scope for your services?
• If the scope changes later in the project, will there be additional fees? How will these be justified? How will you communicate this to me?
• In what situations would you charge additional fees?
• Do you charge disbursements?

Budget Considerations

• Does our Cost of Works budget meet our brief?
• What are your processes in controlling the project’s budgets?
• Do you obtain estimates during the design and documentation stages?
• Are your projects typically built within the client’s approved budget?
• What other costs should I allow for in addition to the Architect’s fees?
• How much should I budget for the specialist consultants’ fees?
• Should I allow for a contingency, if so how much?

Final Thoughts

Finding the right architect is about more than style or credentials, it’s about trust, communication, and shared understanding of your project goals. Use these questions to guide your conversations, clarify expectations, and feel confident in your choice. The more informed you are, the smoother your project is likely to run – from the initial design stage through to construction and completion, including projects involving heritage homes and planning overlays.

For many clients, the process starts with an early Master Plan Session, which allows key questions around scope, budget, planning, and feasibility to be explored before committing to full design services.

If you’re considering engaging an architect and would like to talk through how these questions apply to your own project, please get in touch.

Photography by Jack Lovel.