How do I find the suitable architect?

Hello everyone!

We have now found our plot of land and want to look for an architect. But how should we proceed to find someone who is good? Since our building site is about 70 km away, it is not easy to meet someone multiple times. We already have a rough draft of how our house should look, and also various other wishes, such as underfloor heating, controlled ventilation, geothermal energy ..., possibly hybrid construction, so we need someone who not only draws the walls. How can I find out what an architect is capable of without first explaining everything we want, only for them to simply say "I can do everything"? And how can I handle the fee properly? Since the fee depends on the construction costs, it is initially better for them if the house becomes more expensive. If I agree on a success fee for a low cost, then they build cheaply and not well, to put it exaggeratedly. And which stages actually fall away if the rough planning is already available and only needs to be refined, or static matters arise? So, and lastly our cost estimate: We have planned about €200,000 + own work (+ material floor / wall / ceiling covering and sanitary items) + architect (how much actually as a percentage?) for a fully basemented house, basement, ground floor approx. 90 sqm, attic approx. 60 sqm, loft approx. 20 sqm.

Maybe you have tips on how I can find a partner who suits us.

Thank you very much

Hello claudi,

You can find the architectural service phases here:
Leistungsphasen nach HOAI Wikipedia

I would not confuse the professional profile with that of a technical draftsman.

What a good architect is for you, of course, depends on where you set the priorities.

First of all, I see financing as your main focus,
i.e. you will need a preliminary design here that actually works.
Regarding the mentioned building services, it seems you are aiming for a Kfw house.
Therefore, the planning must of course also fit the respective program
and the cost calculation must be realistic as well. (own contribution, equity, ...)

Of course, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Especially in the field of energy efficiency one must not forget
that there are not that many passive houses, for example, so only a few architects have experience.

For example, I have always worked in several federal states and have thus created a good competence network together with partners,
today it is essential for me to have structural engineers and building services planners integrated right away, if necessary even to be able to draw on
the expertise of professors.

After all, it costs the builder the same due to the HOAI.
(Subsidies are only available for renovations)

There is no "success fee" in this sense, which is already a problem anyway, because many "freelance" planners are actually not free from third-party
companies and work hand in hand, where sometimes also quite a few hands are held out.

Personally, I find the internet very good here.
You can see who deals with which topics and what competences they have.
Especially forums keep you up to date on the current state of technology, experiences and test reports are exchanged.
I myself also hope to finally find time this year to at least post the current projects in construction blogs and thus also open them up for discussion.

I keep my fingers crossed that you find the "right one."

But maybe you should at least name the federal state.

Best regards

In any case, take a look at which houses an architect has already built; with many, you can already recognize their signature style. An architect who builds very modern and extravagant is not always suitable for a tight budget, just to give one example. If you talk to an architect and they have the right solution after a short time, you can be sure that later on, they will not take you and your ideas into account. Regards wabe