Once more I find myself returning to our blog after a substantial absence stemming from an overly complicated and busy life!
This is my last blog dealing with what you should ask your architect before appointing him to your project. If you haven't read the rest of the series, you can click on the links below starting with the first post on this subject.
To summarise the theme, we are very rarely asked the three or four questions that I WOULD ask if I were in a prospective client's shoes. In previous posts I have touched upon the first few questions namely:
4. Will your quote break down what you have to do into manageable and clearly explained stages so that, if I decide to stop, I know how much I owe you as well as when you will be invoicing me?
and finally, in this post:
"Do you have any Clients I can speak to or completed projects I can visit that are similar to my project?"
You would be amazed at how infrequently we get asked this question by prospective clients (most are simply interested in the bottom line) but occasionally 'switched on' clients ask whether we would mind them speaking with clients for whom we have carried out similar projects and we are more than happy to oblige!
Let me explain why....
Firstly, we are proud of the work that we have completed in the past and the fact that the vast majority of our clients are not only happy to talk about their experiences in working with us on their projects but also happy to show off the finished project to others who are in the same situation that they were when they were considering whether or not to employ us as their Architects.
If you have happy past clients then why would you not be willing to introduce them to prospective clients?
Secondly, working with an Architect is not the same as purchasing a 'product' it is a collaborative exercise where the ability to work together is critical to the success of the project regardless of whether you are simply wanting a Planning Permission or want your Architect to provide a full service up to the completion of your project.
Most Architects are pretty good and experienced at working with clients to understand their requirements and deliver projects that meet them but, as in any sector, some are more 'people orientated' than others.
Unless you have chance to speak with someone who has gone through that process with your chosen Architect you will only find out what they are like to work with once you are committed!
Asking the question posed at the top of this post allows you, as a prospective client, to judge not only the quality of their work but also the manner in which they approach their clients and projects. If someone is unwilling to let you speak with past clients or only offers up contractor clients (where you can not be sure what the relationship is) then this should ring alarm bells - after all if they are not proud of the work they've completed...............
On a different note, I hope that this post will be the start of a period of time where I will be blogging a bit more regularly on architecture & construction generally - so watch this space!
and finally, in this post:
"Do you have any Clients I can speak to or completed projects I can visit that are similar to my project?"
You would be amazed at how infrequently we get asked this question by prospective clients (most are simply interested in the bottom line) but occasionally 'switched on' clients ask whether we would mind them speaking with clients for whom we have carried out similar projects and we are more than happy to oblige!
Let me explain why....
Firstly, we are proud of the work that we have completed in the past and the fact that the vast majority of our clients are not only happy to talk about their experiences in working with us on their projects but also happy to show off the finished project to others who are in the same situation that they were when they were considering whether or not to employ us as their Architects.
If you have happy past clients then why would you not be willing to introduce them to prospective clients?
Secondly, working with an Architect is not the same as purchasing a 'product' it is a collaborative exercise where the ability to work together is critical to the success of the project regardless of whether you are simply wanting a Planning Permission or want your Architect to provide a full service up to the completion of your project.
Most Architects are pretty good and experienced at working with clients to understand their requirements and deliver projects that meet them but, as in any sector, some are more 'people orientated' than others.
Unless you have chance to speak with someone who has gone through that process with your chosen Architect you will only find out what they are like to work with once you are committed!
Asking the question posed at the top of this post allows you, as a prospective client, to judge not only the quality of their work but also the manner in which they approach their clients and projects. If someone is unwilling to let you speak with past clients or only offers up contractor clients (where you can not be sure what the relationship is) then this should ring alarm bells - after all if they are not proud of the work they've completed...............
On a different note, I hope that this post will be the start of a period of time where I will be blogging a bit more regularly on architecture & construction generally - so watch this space!
