Questions for Your Architect: So Glad You Asked
Hiring an architect is one of the most significant decisions you'll make in a building project. The questions below are ones we hear often — and a few we think every prospective client should ask. We hope our answers give you a clear sense of who we are and how we work.
What kind of projects do you work on?
Our core focus is bespoke custom homes, ADUs (accessory dwelling units), and interior renovations — particularly condo and kitchen work. Our broader experience spans historic preservation, libraries, commercial tenant improvements, and industrial facilities. If a project is thoughtful and well-intentioned, we're interested.
Why should we trust you with our project?
Trust is built, not assumed. It usually starts with an appreciation of our work — a shared sensibility about what good design looks and feels like. From there, we earn your trust by asking the right questions, being honest about budget and scope, and delivering on our commitments. We hope that kernel of confidence, once established, grows into a genuine partnership.
Why should we work with you?
Honestly? We're skilled at asking the questions other people skip.
The most valuable thing an architect can do is identify the responsible questions, the overlooked questions, and the ones that get brushed aside in the excitement of a new project. Is your scope aligned with your budget? Are your timeline expectations realistic? Are we collaborating with a builder early enough to catch cost issues before they're baked into the design?
If these questions aren't being asked, projects go sideways — often expensively. We ask them early and keep asking them throughout.
If you're not sure where to start, our Pre-Design phase is specifically structured to help you set reasonable expectations. We explore your program needs, site conditions, financial parameters, and anticipated budget before a single design decision is made.
Do we share a common ethic for building?
This one matters to us. If you're looking to build a beautiful, durable home with materials that are healthy to live in for generations, then yes — we share a common ethic. We believe the least sustainable building is the one that gets torn down because nobody loves it.
We're drawn to right-sized, sustainable homes with quality finishes that respond thoughtfully to their site and to the way you actually live. In our view, sustainability and sensitivity to place aren't constraints on good design — they're what allow the more visible and expressive qualities of a home to really shine.
What is the architect's role in the project team?
We lead design direction and coordinate the full team — structural and mechanical engineers, builders, and trade partners — from initial brief through construction. We think of it as marshaling the project: facilitating collaboration, curating ideas, and keeping everything aligned with your design goals, budget, and schedule.
We're strong believers in integrated project delivery, where builders and key trades are engaged during design rather than after. The benefit is real: you get better ideas, earlier cost feedback, and fewer surprises in the field.
This is different from a design-build model, where the builder holds the single contract with the owner. That approach has its uses, but in our experience, builder-led projects don't consistently produce the best design outcomes. If you're seeking to hire an architect directly, you're already on the right path.
Where do you work?
Our home and studio is in Portland, Oregon — on the east side of the Willamette River between Laurelhurst and Mt. Tabor Park. Most of our projects are in Portland, though we're doing more work in the Columbia River Gorge and across the river in Washington. We're a licensed architecture firm in both Oregon and Washington, and we genuinely love getting out to job sites — some of our best design work happens in direct response to the place and the problem at hand.
What services do you provide?
We are a full-service architecture firm. That means we take projects from initial concept through schematic design, design development, interior design, technical documentation, permitting, and construction administration.
Here's how we think about the phases:
Pre-Design — We ask the foundational questions. What do you need, what does your site allow, and what is your budget actually capable of delivering?
Schematic Design — We explore multiple design directions and develop the concept that best fits your goals.
Design Development — The design is refined in detail, coordinated with engineers, and prepared for permitting and pricing.
Construction Documents — The full technical package your builder needs to build the project.
Construction Administration — We stay engaged through the build, answering questions, reviewing submittals, and making sure the design intent is being realized.
The framework above is standard across the profession and supported by the AIA. We follow it because it works — but we put particular emphasis on a thorough Pre-Design and a genuinely exploratory Schematic Design phase, because that's where the best projects are won or lost.
What are your fees?
For a custom home, our fees typically range from 8% to 15% of construction cost, depending on a few factors:
Project complexity — Challenging sites, existing building conditions, or regulatory hurdles all require more design effort.
Project scope — Smaller projects and renovations carry a higher percentage because there's less efficiency of scale than on a large new build.
Level of customization — Bespoke homes require more correspondence, more meetings, and more care. The fee reflects that.
We typically bill hourly and use the percentage-of-construction-cost figure as a planning benchmark — a way to set reasonable expectations at the outset. Fees are structured by phase, and we'll always be upfront about what's included and what might constitute an additional service.
What makes a great custom home client?
We've worked with a lot of wonderful clients, and the ones who get the most out of the process tend to share a few qualities:
A clear vision. You don't need to have all the answers, but knowing what you value and being able to communicate it makes everything better.
Flexibility. Custom projects involve discovery. The best clients are open to new ideas and willing to evolve their thinking as the design develops.
A collaborative spirit. We do our best work when we're genuinely working with our clients — not just presenting to them. The more you engage, the better the outcome.
Realistic expectations. Understanding the relationship between budget, scope, and time is essential. We'll help you calibrate, but clients who come in with an honest view of those constraints have much smoother projects.
Reliability. Timely decisions and responsive communication keep a project moving. Delays in design can compound into delays in construction, and ultimately cost more.
Mutual respect. We bring a lot of experience, care, and craft to every project. We appreciate clients who recognize the value of that — and we'll return that respect in full.
Ready to start a conversation? We'd love to hear about your project. Reach out through our contact page or email us at collin@jankearchitecture.com.