Thinking of starting a building or renovation project? Whether it’s a new home, a revamp, or something more technical like a farm building or office space — your first meeting with an architect is a big step.
But a lot of people show up unsure what to bring or how to prepare. So here’s a rough list to help you get ready and get the most out of that first conversation.
- Know What You Want (Even If It’s Vague)
You don’t need to have it all figured out — that’s our job — but it helps to have a rough idea of what you’re after:
- What type of project is it? (new house, reno, addition, etc.)
- What spaces do you want? (bedrooms, home office, garage, etc.)
- Any styles you love or hate? (modern, farm-style, minimal, etc.)
- How do you want the space to feel? (open, cozy, airy, private?)
Mood boards, Pinterest, even just a folder of pics on your phone — it all helps give us a sense of your vision.
- Your Site Info
If you already have a site, bring:
- The site address
- A copy of the title deed
- SG diagrams or survey plans if you have them
- Zoning certificate (or we can help get this later)
If you don’t have a site yet, don’t stress — but it’s good to talk about where you’re looking and what your goals are.
- Budget (Even if it’s rough)
This one’s big. We’re not here to judge — we just need to know early on so we can steer the design in the right direction.
Try to have a general figure in mind:
- What’s your overall budget? (incl. building, fees, finishes, etc.)
- What’s the absolute max?
- Is it cash, bond, or phased?
It helps us give you honest feedback about what’s realistic — and where we can stretch or trim to make it work.
- Timeline & Expectations
Let us know:
- When you’d like to start building
- Any hard deadlines (baby on the way? tenants moving in?)
- How involved you want to be (hands-on or more hands-off?)
- Whether you want us to help through construction or just with plans
The more we know about your time and process expectations, the better we can plan and guide the work.
- Rules & Red Tape
This isn’t something you need to figure out alone — we help with that — but it’s useful to know:
- Is your property in a heritage area?
- Is it a Sectional Title?
- Is there a Homeowners Association or estate design manual?
Any of these things can affect what we’re allowed to do — and they often take time to get approvals from.
- Any Must-Haves or Deal-Breakers?
Every client has that one thing:
- “We want as much natural light as possible.”
- “No steps — it needs to be accessible.”
- “We need a space for the dogs to sleep inside.”
It could be a view, a braai area, a certain material, or even “I just want my mother-in-law far from the kitchen.” Whatever matters to you — let us know!
- Questions for the Architect
Jot down anything you’re unsure about. Stuff like:
- How long does the design process take?
- What’s included in your fees?
- Who handles municipal approval?
- Can you recommend builders?
No question is silly — ask away.
Don’t worry about being 100% prepared — part of our job is to help you figure things out. But showing up with a few of these basics sorted will make your first meeting smoother, more productive, and way more exciting.
We love working with clients who are open, curious, and clear on what matters most to them. That’s when the best projects come to life.
Let us know when you’re ready to chat — we’ll bring the coffee (and the tracing paper).
