Choosing an architect for your hospital design project

Here are some helpful hints when you're choosing an architect for your project:

1

Know what you want

How many exam rooms would you like? Are you going to feature a boarding area? Hammer out these details before you meet with an architect so that you're sure to get what you want, not what worked for the architect's last client.

2

Check references carefully

The architect isn't likely to hand out the phone numbers of disgruntled clients, so you need to ask some pointed questions of the references he or she does provide. Did the architect meet deadlines? Did he return calls quickly? Did she listen to clients' needs instead of drawing up cookie cutter plans? Did he push clients into things they didn't want to do? You can also check references in reverse. Meet with others who have built practices and ask them who they worked with. Were they happy with the end result?

3

Seek experience and integrity

Look for firms that have been working in the industry for awhile. Make sure the folks at the firm are knowledgeable and ethically above board.

4

Find someone who listens

You need to be able to depend on your architect to listen. Don't be embarrassed to tell an architect your ideas, no matter how off the wall they may seem?they might actually make sense. It?s your money after all?and your hospital.

5

Review the fee structure before you sign

No architect should ask for more than one-third of the total fee up front. Ask your potential architect to outline his or her fee structure for you in detail, and make sure you're comfortable with it. Before you sign anything, ask an attorney or someone familiar with professional service contracts to review the agreement. Look for red flags: escape clauses, hidden fees, total cost of the work performed, and so on.