Choosing an architect is one of the highest-leverage decisions in the entire building process — get it right and design, budget, and timeline stay coordinated; get it wrong and you’re managing gaps yourself for the rest of the project. Here’s a practical checklist for evaluating one in Dhaka.
Check Their Portfolio, Not Just Their Renders
Anyone can produce an attractive render. Ask to see completed, built projects — ideally ones you can visit or at least see real photos of — and pay attention to whether the finished result matches the original design intent, not just whether the marketing images look good.
Ask About Their Process, Not Just Their Style
A good architect can explain how they work: how they gather your requirements, how many design revisions are typical, how they handle structural coordination, and how they communicate during construction. Vague answers here are a warning sign regardless of how strong the portfolio looks.
Understand Who Actually Does the Structural Work
Some architecture studios have in-house structural coordination; others hand this off externally. Either can work, but you should know which it is and confirm the structural engineer involved is properly qualified — this isn’t a detail to assume.
Ask How They Handle Budget Conversations
A design-only conversation that never touches cost until drawings are finished is a common source of budget shock later. An architect who discusses realistic cost ranges alongside design decisions, from the early stages, is giving you a more honest planning process.
Clarify Scope and Deliverables Upfront
What exactly is included — concept design, working drawings, structural coordination, site visits during construction, interior design? Get this in writing before starting, since assuming something is included when it isn’t is a frequent source of mid-project disputes.
Ask About Construction-Phase Involvement
Does the architect visit the site during construction to check the work against the drawings, or does their involvement end once drawings are handed over? This single difference often determines whether the finished building matches the design intent or drifts from it.
Trust the Working Relationship, Not Just the Credentials
Credentials and experience matter, but so does whether this is someone you can communicate with clearly over months of decisions. A technically excellent architect who doesn’t listen well to your actual needs can still produce a space that doesn’t feel like yours.
How We Approach This With Clients
We walk every client through our full process, past projects, and realistic budget ranges before any design work starts, so expectations are clear from day one. See our full architectural design service for what that looks like.
Start With a Conversation
The best way to evaluate any architect is a direct conversation about your specific project. Book a free consultation and see how we approach it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look at besides an architect's renders?
Their actual built portfolio, renders can look impressive but don't show how a design holds up once built.
Should an architect be involved during construction, not just design?
Yes, construction-phase involvement is one of the most important things to confirm upfront.
How does Mark D Studio approach client relationships?
With direct, ongoing involvement from first consultation through handover, rather than handing off after the design phase.
Related Reading
- 5 Signs You Need an Architect Before You Start Construction
- Architect vs. Engineer vs. Contractor: Who Do You Actually Need?
- How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Dhaka? A 2026 Price Guide