You’ve been thinking about renovating for a while. Now you’re finally in a position to do it. It’s a significant investment and you’ve decided to engage an architect. Good move.

But how do you choose one?

There’s a lot to consider, and it pays to take your time rather than just picking the person who did a great job on your friend’s place. You’ll be living with the result for years, possibly decades. Finding someone who understands your vision and can translate it into a home that actually suits how you live is worth a careful shortlist.

1. Match the architect to the project

Is it commercial or residential? Do you want someone who’ll guide the entire interior, down to which chairs work in the space? Are you drawn to a particular style? There’s no point engaging someone who only does sleek warehouse conversions when you’re renovating a beachside cottage. Is the building heritage listed? If so, find someone with real experience working creatively around development restrictions.

2. Ask around

I said earlier not to default to your friend’s architect, and I stand by that. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to them. Personal recommendations are one of the best ways to build a shortlist. You get to walk through the finished work, ask honest questions, and get a feel for how the architect operates over the course of a long project.

3. Search online

Personal recommendations are gold but they’re limited. For a broader view, head online. Always check that anyone you’re considering is a Registered Architect. Two reliable starting points: Find An Architect and the NSW Architects Registration Board.

4. Test the chemistry

If you love an architect’s design but you don’t get on with them, you have a problem. Most architectural projects run for at least a year, often longer. Make contact with your shortlisted architects and talk through your project before you decide.

If your chemistry is more bicarb soda and vinegar than emulsified salad dressing, a year is a long time to be speaking to each other several times a week, sometimes several times a day during peak activity. Similar communication styles, the ability to have open and honest conversations, and a willingness to understand each other’s viewpoint are non-negotiable for a successful outcome.

5. Know what you actually want

Even the best architect in the world can’t deliver if you can’t articulate what you’re trying to achieve. Take the time to get clear on it. Think about how your family actually lives, not how Pinterest says they should. Maybe you’re a family of introverts who needs cosy retreats, not open-plan everything. Maybe your restaurant needs to feel open but not clinical or noisy. The clearer your brief, the better the result.

A scrapbook of images is one of the most useful things you can bring to a first meeting. It shows what you love and, just as importantly, what you don’t.

6. Trust the process

Embarking on a renovation or new build can feel intimidating. There’s significant money at stake and a fear that the result won’t match the version in your head. Choosing the right architect, the one who listens, asks the right questions, and stays honest with you throughout, is the single biggest thing you can do to settle that fear before it takes hold.