Choosing an architect for a big remodel

[janegold]

Just wondering if anyone who has done a major remodel can share any insight that would help me make a decision.  We will be remodeling most of our first floor next year, which will involve changing the layout, moving the kitchen, and potentially a garage addition.  I have been interviewing architects the last couple of months and I am ready to make a decision, but I'm torn on how to proceed.

Two of the architects were interviewed are high end and do very beautiful work - lots of millwork, high end finishes, etc.  The style of both is exactly on point with the look we are going for - high end coastal / traditional / transitional.  One is a design and build, the other is a architecture + interiors firm - in other words, both would have some synergies that would make things easier for us.  I'm confident that the end product of both would be beautiful and our taste, but I also get the sense that both have kind of a "standard" to uphold and may not be great with working with a budget. Our budget is not small, but it's not limitless either, and I get the sense that these guys have many clients with limitless budgets.

The other one I'm considering is a much smaller, in-town firm.  The guy has worked here forever, has strong connections with the zoning and planning boards, etc.  He was recommended to me as being someone that is easy to work with and very conscientious of the homeowner's needs and budget.  He does both mid-range and high-end work, and it is nice but a lot of it is not really my style.  He leans toward more contemporary.  I'm concerned with him that I would have to separately hire an interior designer to get the look we really want, whereas with the other guys, the look we want is their MO.

So, my question - does anyone have experience with or insight into working with an architect that does not necessarily share your personal aesthetic?  

[aprilsails]

I do commercial design and work with architects every day. In my experience, they can be pretty flexible, and some only focus on the construction elements and function of the space. Many architects don’t do a lot of mill work and shelving details, so it is very common for an interior designer to come in and do those finishing touches.

Whether the space is modern or not really has a lot to do with the finish selection in my opinion, as in the hard surfaces, cabinets, lighting and trim work choices. Obviously with either of the architects where you share a design aesthetic you could be more hands off with those choices. It really just depends on how much you want to be involved. Or if you think there is enough space in the costs to bring in a separate interior designer for the architect to work with.

I will caution that runaway budgets are a thing, and right now in my area construction costs appear to be going up by eyepopping amounts every month. I would feel the need to really keep an eye on the boutique firms to make sure that their choices respect your limits. That can suck too.

[janegold]

aprilsails, thank you. You bring up a good point that with the local guy, I may have to be more involved from a design perspective, but with the boutique guys, I may have to be more involved with keeping an eye on the budget. I can't decide which sounds less appealing.

[dr.girlfriend]

I guess the one thing I would note is that I went with my version of the "local guy" and I do have one regret about it. The name of their firm was "X and Y" so I thought it was a partnership at least, but apparently one of the names was of their deceased parent (also an architect but a different last name) and they did some legal wrangling to maintain the name. So, they were a sole proprietor, but seemed to be taking care not to appear as such. Their husband also had a terminal illness -- totally understandable not to have work be your first priority under those circumstances, but all in all it delayed our renovation at least a year because of not getting plans back. The first plans they submitted were frankly awful too, and if I didn't have a solid idea for what I wanted and said "do something more like this" I would have ended up very unhappy. It worked out in the end and thank goodness it was all done pre-COVID, but I am taking care now when I hire a professional to ask if they have coverage for unexpected life events. Even just an informal arrangement with another sole proprietor or something like that would be beneficial -- that's what our accountant has.

[maudefindlay]

To me the biggest thing is who seems to be easier to work with in terms of responsiveness to any issues, because there will be issues. I'd be looking for customer reviews or talking to others who used them if possible. Issues are resolved much more easily if you are not dealing with an ass.

[ellipses84]

I’m in the industry. Having good interior design is critical for a home renovation. The designer can have an architecture, interior or design-build background, but they should have the project experience and show you examples of their residential work with great space planning, detailing and finish palettes.

Any one you choose should be able to work within a budget. It’s helpful to be very clear what your budget is up front. I’m a fan of contractor involvement early on because they have access to more accurate material costs. You can still go this route with a separate architect and contractor if you want to agree to a budget or cost-plus contract. That means you wouldn’t bid it out to several GCs at the end of design, but the GC you select would provide cost feedback during design and they would still bid it out competitively to their subcontractors. Even without a contractor, you could set square foot budgets for each material and the interior designer can confirm they are specifying things that are within that cost, like $5 /SF for flooring material, not including installation. Just be aware the decisions you make impact cost. Like adding each extra power outlet costs $x. Removing a wall may be feasible but if it’s a long span you may have to add an extra beam which can cost a few thousand dollars. The big costs aren’t usually in finishes, but those are the things people tend to cut because it’s easier to change a material to something cheaper than to eliminate a mechanical duct or plumbing line.

The architect who doesn’t match your style may be capable of doing what you want, but it may require more rounds of design and I agree with a PP that some architects don’t detail interiors or do excellent kitchen space planning to the same level that interior designers do. Some of this detailing doesn’t cost that much more but if it’s not detailed well, the subs will bid it to build it the cheapest way they can. The advantage of the high end designer is that they could help you get that look with cheaper material (like using solid surface instead of marble countertop). If you like the design-build company’s aesthetic and quality, that’s a very efficient way to do things, although sometimes their options are limited, like a lot of their projects may look very similar.

[janegold]

ellipses84, extremely helpful insight - thank you!

[penguingrrl]

I would absolutely work with an architect and a separate interior designer. Find someone who specializes in spacial planning, not one who is primarily on the decorating end of things. And start them as soon as you choose an architect.

My mother does this and clients often bring her in too late and it costs more to make changes she recommends than if they had brought her in earlier. She has a degree in architecture but never got licensed as she already had a thriving business doing interiors when she finished her degree. In her experience architects often focus on beauty and forget that people will be living in the space. She’s excellent at thinking through how her clients will live in the space and working with the architect to make it beautiful and functional.

As far as architect choice, go with the one you feel most comfortable with, and whose previous work most resembles the style you’re seeking in the end. While they are in theory trained in all styles, it’s better to have someone who is working in their comfort zone as far as design rather than trying to give the client what they want when it isn’t a style they’re used to doing.