Unearthing the Gem “When you’re working on a residential level, it’s pretty personal,” says HartmanBaldwin’s Pruitt. “Architects need to be able to create the connections with clients to win their trust and to make them know that what they’re saying is being listened to. It can be hard to find architects who like this. If you’re not a people person, you won’t be happy at HartmanBaldwin.”
To find its architects, HB uses Monster.com, the local American Institute of Architects’ Web site, connections with local colleges, and advertising with subs. Other remodelers cited Craig’s List and newspaper advertising as sources. Everyone interviewed said their own Web sites generate resumes, but word of mouth and referral were the best methods.
Nine years ago, Design Construction Concepts’ Menn began cultivating his own pool of future employees by giving away as many as three scholarships each year to high school students who will study architecture or the building trades. So far, all 15 winners have chosen to study architecture.
Understanding architects is important to the hiring process. “Understand what [they] do and how they’re educated,” Jenkins says. He suggests reading a book like Roger K. Lewis’ Architect? A Candid Guide to the Profession. “Also, look at an architect’s work in person or on a Web site. Search out the ones you’re professionally attracted to, then talk with clients and ask about their experience. Any good architect will have a good reputation and should be able to supply references.”
And they’ll gravitate to you. “Good companies doing good work attract good people,” White says. “It becomes a self-sustaining thing.”
When design and build are under the same roof, control is centralized. “There’s no finger pointing,” Menn says. “No, ‘This can’t be done.’ No, ‘Go ask you’re architect to solve this.’ No, ‘Your contractor is an idiot.’”
Ideally, when architect and contractor work together, with open communication, they achieve optimum results for clients. “Design/build takes away a layer of frustration,” B&S’s Hagerty says. “If your intentions are in the right place, the client wins. The process is much cleaner.”