Hiring an Architect or Architectural Designer is an important step as their expertise will shape the entire look and feel of your home, so it's essential to ask the right questions. Here are 10 questions to ensure you're choosing the right fit for your project:

Here are a list of 10 questions to be sure to ask:

1. How long have you been in business?

2. Are you licensed? (architects only)

3. How do you approach design and collaborate with clients to bring their vision to life?

4. Do you have a team you prefer to work with that are aligned with this project? General Contractor, Interior Designer, Engineer, etc.

5. Can you provide me with references?

6. What is your design process from start to finish? How will we work together throughout the project?

7. How do you charge, and what do your services include? How do you handle permits and deal with local authorities?

8. What steps do you take to ensure that the design meets my budget and stays within cost constraints? 

9. What is your timeline? When can you start and how long do you expect it to take?

10. What are the potential challenges or constraints you foresee with this project? How do you handle changes or revisions to the design once we’ve started? Are there any fees for adjustments?

And the age old, what do you need from me to get started? Again, don't accept anything verbal, you want a detailed written estimate and contract outlining common processes and procedures. This will ensure both you and your architect are aligned on expectations and deliverables.