Do I need an architect?
You do not always need an architect. An architect tends to earn their place when the site or the approvals are complex: heritage, a slope, structural change, planning uncertainty, or more than one dwelling. A building designer or builder can be the right start when the work is simpler, such as small internal changes, a firm existing concept, or a priority on speed and cost. Budget alone does not decide it.
Ten questions. About 3 minutes. Free. No email required.
A recommendation, reasons, and a next step.
You get a plain-language recommendation, up to three reasons drawn from your answers, practical next steps, and indicative fee context where a budget band supports it.
An architect tends to add value where the design ambition is high or the site and approvals are complex: heritage, slope, structural change, planning uncertainty, or more than one dwelling. A building designer or builder can be the useful start for small internal changes, a firm existing concept, or a priority on speed and cost certainty.
Complexity, priorities and budget all feed the result. Budget alone cannot decide it. Not knowing an answer is allowed, and it is not treated as a vote for an architect.
Situation, help, and what to clarify.
| Your situation | Who often helps | Questions to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| The design ambition is high, or the site and approvals are complex: heritage, slope, structural change, planning uncertainty, or more than one dwelling. | An architect | What is constrained, and what do you want the home to do? |
| Small internal changes, a firm existing concept, or a priority on speed and cost certainty. | A building designer or builder | Is the scope already defined? |
| The project type or the construction budget is still open. | Clarify the project first | What are you building, and what is the construction budget, separate from the land? |
A reviewed table, not a score out of 100.
How the result is calculated
Reviewed 4 October 2026. Each answer either points toward an architect, points toward another kind of professional, or does neither. Only the first group adds points. Sixteen or more points leads to the strongest architect recommendation. Eight to fifteen means architectural advice is worth exploring. Below eight, two or more answers that point toward other professionals leads to that recommendation. Otherwise the result asks you to clarify the project first.
The fee line, where shown, applies the commonly reported 7 to 15 percent full-service range to the low and high ends of your construction budget band, ex GST. It is not a quote and not an official scale. Open-ended budgets stay qualitative. Read the assumptions in the architect fee guide.
This is preliminary guidance. It is not a site inspection, a fee quote, or confirmation of planning requirements. Archive Design is building its founding network. The check does not promise an introduction.
Before you start
If you are also weighing time, read how long it takes to get to lodged plans.
How long does the check take?
About three minutes. There are ten questions, all multiple choice.
Does it cost anything, and do I need an account?
No. The check is free and it does not ask for your name, email or phone number.
What happens to my answers?
They stay in this browser for 30 days so you can resume or review them. They are not sent to Archive Design, and they are not attached to a brief. You can clear them at any time.
What if I do not need an architect?
That is a valid result. A building designer or a builder may be the useful starting point, or the project may need a clearer brief before anyone can say. The check does not tell you that you must appoint an architect.
What happens if I start a brief afterwards?
Creating a brief is free and takes about ten minutes. Archive Design is building its founding network. An introduction happens only if there is a fit and you choose to go ahead. The answers from this check do not carry across.