Typically they'd know it is a buyer's market and be OK if rejected. However do your homework B4 even requesting an interview ... look at their website and see if the style of their design matches your desires; if possible drive by work that they have done so you see it in 3D (photos only go so far); read any forum comments and testimonials about them. Before I did an interview I was able to have a hypothesis about what I expected their strength and weaknesses were and could look for info in the interview to confirm or refute that. I had several ?s that I asked all possible candidates so I could see the range of responses e.g. I was committed to a modern home with significantly open floor plan ... asked about what the challenges were in such a design both from the design point of view but also from implementation (cost issues) as well as in the actual experience of living. I'd also ask about what client behaviors drove them nuts (this got far more interesting answers than asking what proj and type of client was a good match for them). I also had looked at lists of ?s to ask; selected some, but primarily focused on the interaction and how collaborative it might be. Interviewing the list of their references was next, including interviewing GCs they had built their designs.

And going the other way when hiring an architect, for the best result you're going to have to go into into it with a little bit of a leap of faith that this guy/girl is going to tell you good, but at times, unexpected things. As the client, you'll need the critical element of trust incorporated into your relationship for the project to be successful. Here's a C&P of that thought I wrote for another poster:

That's great Cheri! Let me just add a few additional thoughts in hopefully making your experience the best possible.

A good architect, when given the chance, will provide a design that can give a client everything they want, but often in ways completely unexpected. But for that to happen it takes a critical element necessary on the part of the client in every successful project and that element is trust.

Often during our initial meeting, the client will reveal their ability or inability to trust others. If I feel the element of trust is not there they will likely be referred to a permit drafter. A creative person should explore other approaches with you in the spirit of "That's great but have you thought of this.......". But for that to be carried forward successfully it takes a trusting client to not only allow the architect to expand on alternative ideas but to objectively look at other approaches in a collaborative effort with the architect. And that's an intangible that all successful projects are born out of.

And as an aside, that's why the charrette process works so well in that ideas can be explained, heard, modified, explored, remodified and evaluated all in their rough form and all in real time. I can't tell you how many times a client sitting across the table from me has said "Wow! We never thought of that. We like the kitchen idea but how 'bout if we move the entry here and the...." As I hand them the pen. In some of those design sessions the client commands the pen almost as much as I do!

Just be ready to expect any preconceived ideas to be questioned. They may in fact turn out to be perfectly valid but at least they've been evaluated against alternates as any good architect should do.

Finally, regarding preconceived ideas, I've quoted on this board before these two quotes by two creative people.....

Henry Ford observed "If I had asked people what they wanted they would have told me "A faster horse".

And Steve Jobs mused “A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them. Everyone wanted an iPhone when they first appeared, but no one could have described what they wanted before seeing one".

So put trust in your architect to carry you through the process in the spirit of Mr. Ford and Mr. Jobs and you'll have a home that is the very best.

And speaking of the best, here's wishing you the best of luck with your project. Exciting times!

And I don't know about it being a "buyers market". I'm full up. And twice in the last year I parted ways with a client after being hired. I've always looked on the relationship with a client as a two way street.

ARG, can you elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the clients you had to part ways with?

LITE- I love that advice about asking what client behaviors drive them nuts. what a great (and fun) way to suss out their temperment.

One thing I looked for was someone who was willing to critique my ideas, explain WHY they did things certain ways, and didn't mind discussing and collaborating to find the best design for the parameters I was working within. So, I'd say think about that rapport when interviewing as well as everything else!

The first meeting with an architect is usually free of cost, and intended to identify the scope of the project, the budget, the site, the degree of the consumer's seriousness and understanding of how custom homes are designed and constructed, and the human chemistry. An hour is certainly enough time for this. If that goes well, the architect will provide a contract for services for the consumer to sign. After that, all the detail stuff begins.

Such helpful comments and suggestions. It's amazing that individuals and professionals take the time out of their busy schedules to help out a total stranger.

Lite I like your idea of asking about challenges with a design,

architrctg...I would love to find someone that would communicate the way you do

renee and Virgil. I totally agree communication is critical

Thank you all

I am taking time out of my busy schedule to help out a total stranger (I'm actually running a garage sale).

Don't put time constraints on the selection of an architect. It's akin to selecting a spouse, you will know when you find the right one. It's even easier, you don't have to sit through boring dinners or watch movies together. The architect is interviewing you too. So they have a very similar question for themselves, "How much time should I spend with this potential client to convince them I am the right architect for them?"

Yep, what Mark said--the initial interview is very much a two-way conversation.

We got a reference on an architect and Margy walked in with her printouts from the BH&G house designer with the floor plan she had come up with. We got good feelings from the initial meeting. We paid him a small amount I believe to do a proposal and upon that we agreed to go forward.