40 Questions to Ask an Architect: Your Complete Guide

Last updated September 2026.

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 throughout your project. 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

• How would my project fit within your practice’s current workload?
• What challenges do you foresee for my project?
• Do you see any challenges with my site?
• Are there any opportunities you see in the existing house or site that we may not have considered?

Design Approach

• Would you create a detailed project brief?
• Can you explain the design process?
• How will you help me visualise and understand the design as it develops?
• What is your experience with sustainable design?
How do you involve clients in design decisions throughout the project?

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 delays during construction should I be aware of?
• What role do you play during the construction stage?
• How do you deal with unexpected issues or changes that arise during construction?
• 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 other factors 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

• Is our proposed Cost of Works budget realistic for our brief?
• What is your process for managing the project budget?
• 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, and if so, how much?
What happens if the construction cost estimate comes in over budget?

Final Thoughts

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

For many clients, our architectural process begins with a Master Plan Session, where key questions around scope, budget, planning, feasibility and sustainability, including Passivhaus performance, can be explored before committing to full design services.

You can learn more about Jane Cameron Finlay FRAIA and our approach to residential architecture, or explore how our practice works.

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

Photography by Jack Lovel.