Once we’ve spoken on the phone or exchanged emails to agree the broad context of your project it’s time for the first meeting. This usually takes half an hour to an hour depending on the size and complexity of the work involved.
I can’t speak for all architects or designers, but personally I don’t charge anything for the first meeting or the advice that comes with it. This is your opportunity to meet me in person (and for me to meet you), ask as many questions as you like, and talk about your aims for the project.
You may have a specific list and well-defined brief, or you may just need more space but can’t decide how to achieve it. This is just the first step, so don’t panic.
During the first meeting I can explain the overall process in more detail, from survey and initial drawings through to completion on site, help you to understand who else may need to be involved and why, confirm approximately how long everything may take, discuss your budget and how feasible the project is, and note down your requirements so that I can write up a fee proposal for you to consider. And if you forget to ask something or change your mind about some aspect of the project after the meeting, don’t worry – just send me an email or give me a call. You are not obliged to appoint me as your architect or pay any fees until you’ve formally instructed the work and confirmed that you would like me to go ahead. There are no upfront fees or deposits. Nobody – especially architects – should be asking you for payment in advance and you should never feel pressured into appointing a particular person.