DEFINE THE PROJECT, SITE, AND GOALS
Record known facts and desired outcomes. Mark assumptions and points a professional must verify.
Construction & Specialty Trades · FREE PREPARATION PACK
Architect project brief and design-services comparison worksheet
A useful architect proposal starts with the same project goals, site facts, program, known constraints, desired deliverables, and decision process. This helpful preparation resource from PickYourPro.ai helps you organize those inputs, ask how an architect will structure services and coordination, and compare the same phases, deliverables, responsibilities, timing, and written terms without attempting to design the project or interpret requirements.
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This worksheet is preparation, not architectural or engineering services, a site evaluation, survey, inspection, design, drawing set, cost estimate, schedule, construction instruction, or zoning, code, permit, accessibility, contract, or legal advice. Project needs, professional roles, credentials, approvals, deliverables, and requirements vary by site and jurisdiction. Qualified professionals and authorities must address the actual project.
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How to use this resource
Record what you know about the property, intended use, spaces, priorities, existing documents, decision makers, and desired outcome. Mark unknowns for the architect or another appropriate professional to verify. Ask each architect to explain the proposed service phases, deliverables, revisions, consultant team, owner responsibilities, review points, approvals, construction-phase involvement if offered, and written terms. Do not use this worksheet to make architectural, engineering, structural, zoning, code, permit, accessibility, cost, schedule, construction, contract, or legal decisions.
Open the PDF in a form-capable viewer, save a copy, then fill it in. Reopen your saved copy to check your answers. You can also print the blank pages and write by hand. Your answers are not submitted to PickYourPro.ai.
MAP PHASES, DELIVERABLES, AND TEAM ROLES
Ask each architect to describe the proposed path rather than assuming a standard package.
PLAN DECISIONS, APPROVALS, AND COORDINATION
Tick what is ready, then identify who confirms every project-specific requirement.
QUESTIONS FOR THE ARCHITECT
Record the answer and the proposal, deliverable list, responsibility matrix, or agreement that supports it.
COMPARE THE SAME ARCHITECT SERVICES SCOPE
Use A and B in every box. Clarify different site, program, phase, or consultant assumptions first.
USE IT RIGHT NOW
Architect preparation checklist
- Describe the intended use, project type, spaces, relationships, priorities, and desired outcome in plain language.
- Gather available site, ownership, survey, existing-drawing, photo, inspection, utility, and prior-project records without treating them as verified.
- Identify decision makers, users, stakeholders, known constraints, target milestones, and any client-established budget range you choose to share.
- Ask the architect to define proposed phases, meetings, options, deliverables, file formats, revisions, review points, assumptions, and exclusions.
- Clarify who selects and coordinates structural, civil, MEP, landscape, interiors, survey, geotechnical, contractor, or other participants when applicable.
- Ask how existing conditions, jurisdiction coordination, approvals, contractor questions, submittals, site visits, changes, and closeout are handled if included.
- Confirm the individual and firm roles, applicable professional credentials, communication path, decision schedule, and document-use terms.
- Compare the same phases, deliverables, responsibilities, consultant assumptions, timing, complete price structure, changes, and written terms.
Questions to ask an architect
- How will you confirm the project program, site information, existing conditions, constraints, and decisions needed before design advances?
- Which service phases, meetings, options, drawings or other deliverables, file formats, and revisions are included or excluded?
- Which consultants or other participants may be needed, who selects and contracts with them, and how will their work be coordinated?
- What owner information, access, decisions, approvals, payments, and other responsibilities are required, and when?
- How will jurisdiction coordination, contractor selection support, construction questions, submittals, site visits, changes, and closeout be handled if offered?
- Who will perform and oversee the work, what credentials apply, and how do timing, price structure, document use, changes, suspension, and termination work?
Write down the answers and any exclusions. If two proposals describe different work, clarify the difference before comparing their totals. Leave unanswered points blank until the professional confirms them.
A CLEARER NEXT STEP
Ready to hear from pros?
Create an account on PickYourPro.ai and start an Architect request if you choose; this step is optional. Share non-sensitive project facts and the written outcome you want so participating pros can compete with proposals. Compare phases, deliverables, responsibilities, timing, complete price structure, exclusions, terms, and fit.
Start a new request ↗Participation and availability vary. A site and program review may be needed before a final services proposal.
Keep the useful part.
The worksheets are free to use whether you hire through PickYourPro.ai or elsewhere. No account is needed to download them.
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More help with your next step
Official references and scope
These are original planning prompts, with AI assistance, prepared by PickYourPro.ai. Official links checked October 10, 2026. This pack has not been independently reviewed by a licensed specialist.
- AIA: Working with an Architect ↗
The American Institute of Architects outlines topics clients can discuss when selecting and working with an architect, including goals, roles, project phases, communication, and agreements. This worksheet turns those topics into neutral planning and comparison prompts.
- NCARB: Architecture Essentials ↗
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards explains the architecture profession, regulation, and common pathways to practice. This worksheet prompts clients to ask who will provide and oversee services and which credentials apply to the project.
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