How to choose an architect for your home in India: 8 questions to ask

By Red Brick Studio · Updated 24 October 2026 · 2 min read

Cove House, Panshet, designed by Red Brick Studio

Choose an architect by looking at built work, not just renders. Ask whether they are registered with the Council of Architecture, see finished projects like yours, understand how they begin a design, who will be on site, and how they handle changes. A good fit matters as much as a good portfolio.

1. Are you registered with the Council of Architecture?

In India, architects must be registered with the Council of Architecture to use the title. It is a quick check and a sensible first filter.

2. Can I see built work like mine?

Photographs of completed houses tell you more than a presentation. If you want a weekend home on a slope, ask to see one. We design homes in several settings: a valley above a dam at Cove House, a lakeside slope at Oblique House, and a city plot at Urban Mud House in Hyderabad.

3. How do you start a design?

The answer shows how they think. We begin with questions, not drawings: we try to understand what is already on the site, including what is not obvious at first glance, and we sketch, model and build mock-ups to test ideas before we decide what is right.

4. Who will actually design my house?

Meet the person who will do the work, not just the one who presents it. Ask who leads the design, who draws it, and who answers your calls once it is under way.

5. How often will someone visit the site?

Good design can be lost in construction. Ask how often the team will visit, and who has the authority to make decisions on site.

6. How do you handle changes and budget?

Every project changes along the way. Ask how changes are agreed, how costs are tracked and what happens if the design needs to be adjusted to fit the budget. An honest answer here saves arguments later.

7. How do you charge, and what is included?

Fees should be clear before you start: what is included in each stage, and what is extra. Compare scope, not only the number.

8. Will you work in my city?

Distance should not decide it. Our studio is in Pune, and our projects include Pune, Lavasa, Panshet, Uksan Lake and Hyderabad. Ask any architect how they would manage a site that is not on their doorstep: local site support, visit schedules and how decisions are made. If your site is in another city, ask us how we would approach it.

Common questions

How many architects should I speak to?: Two or three is usually enough to compare how they think and communicate. Choose someone you can talk to easily, because you will be working together for a long time.
Should I choose a big firm or a small studio?: Neither is better by default. Ask who will do the work and how much attention your project will get.
What should I bring to the first meeting?: The plot details if you have them, a rough idea of who will use the house, a sense of your timeline and budget, and a few images that show what you like. A short brief is more useful than a long wish list.