It’s an exciting moment when you start planning a renovation project or new build project and working with an architect. Here’s a step-by-step guide of everything you should provide us with before beginning work:

1. Your goals and requirements: Every project is unique and has its own set of needs. It can help to provide a detailed description of what you want to achieve with your project, what features are important to you and any specific requirements you may have so your architect can develop a scheme completely made for you.
2. Site information: Make sure to provide information about the site, including the location, the size and shape of the property, any zoning or planning requirements, and any relevant environmental or historical factors that might come into play.
3. Existing building information: If you are renovating an existing building, you might want to share information about the structure with your architect, such as the age, construction type, condition and any limitations or challenges that may potentially affect the renovation.
4. Budget: Be honest about your budget and financial constraints from the beginning. This will help your architect to design a realistic yet inspiring project that meets your needs while staying within your budget.
5. Timeline: You could also provide a suggested timeline for the project, including any specific deadlines or milestones that you might like to meet.
6. Your preferences: It can help to share your design preferences with your architect, so that they can get to know the style of architecture, materials, colours and other design elements that might appeal to you. You could share mood boards or inspiration images to help illustrate your thinking.
7. Communication expectations: Set clear expectations for how you want to communicate with your architect throughout the project, including how often you would like updates and what communication channels you might prefer. That way you can find a way of working that suit both of you.

Mostly, it helps to be clear and honest from the beginning of a project. If you provide your architect with this simple set of information, they can more easily create a design that meets your needs and expectations, while also staying within your specific budget and timeline. Designing a project is a collaborative process and your architect may also of course have additional questions for you. Setting the groundwork here all helps to create a successful renovation project and a warm, collaborative relationship.