A poorly planned renovation often only becomes apparent at a late stage: when the budget has already ballooned, the layout isn’t quite working, and every decision seems improvised. That is why understanding how to choose an architect for a renovation is not merely a preliminary detail, but one of the decisions that most significantly shapes the final result, both in terms of spatial quality and control over the process.

It is not simply a matter of hiring someone to draw up plans or manage planning permission. In a home, a commercial premises or a hospitality space, the right architect sets priorities, identifies limitations before they become problems and transforms a general intention – more light, better circulation, greater utility value – into a precise proposal. When that interpretation is sound, it shows in everything: in the layout, in the materials, in the budget and in the way the space is experienced.

How to choose an architect for a renovation without skimming the surface

The first common mistake is choosing based on aesthetic affinity and nothing else. It helps if a practice has attractive images, but that is not enough. A renovation requires technical judgement, the ability to synthesise ideas, and a way of working that is compatible with the client and the type of property. A flat in the Eixample, a penthouse, a restaurant or a sports club do not require the same approach or the same experience.

It is worth looking at the portfolio with a specific question in mind: does this practice solve spaces or merely dress them up nicely? The difference is clear. A good project does not depend on eye-catching elements or trendy finishes. It works on the floor plan, improves the logic of the space and responds to real-world use. If the portfolio conveys consistency between concept, layout and atmosphere, there is a solid foundation. If everything seems to rely on decoration, it is worth looking deeper.

Well-focused variety also matters. Not because an architect must do everything, but because a certain breadth of project types can indicate a genuine capacity for adaptation. In practices that work across residential and commercial interiors, for example, a more comprehensive vision of the space is often evident: structure, circulation, identity, experience and detail. This can be particularly valuable in comprehensive refurbishments or in projects where architecture and interiors should not be considered separately.

What to consider before deciding

Specific experience carries more weight than the firm’s length of establishment. Sometimes a well-established firm is not the best fit for a renovation where the client expects a close, flexible and highly personalised process. At other times, a small firm offers design sensitivity but lacks the structure to coordinate building works, suppliers and complex deadlines. Choosing wisely requires reading that balance.

There are three aspects that should be considered simultaneously: design, methodology and execution. The design reveals whether the practice has sound judgement. The methodology shows whether they know how to manage a project in an organised manner. The execution gives an indication of whether their proposal can be built coherently. If any one of these three aspects is lacking, the renovation is likely to suffer.

In practice, this means asking how they approach the initial phase, how they translate the brief into a proposal, what level of detail they provide before quoting, and how they manage changes during the build. Answers that are too vague are usually a bad sign. A skilled architect can clearly explain what decisions are made at each stage and why.

Don’t judge a portfolio by style alone

Pretty pictures are quick to captivate, but the useful insights lie elsewhere. You need to look at the relationship between space and use. Are the kitchens designed to be lived in or just to be photographed? Do the commercial premises express a clear identity or simply repeat formulas? Do the renovations genuinely improve the existing layout?

If the practice shows before-and-after images, construction details, lighting solutions or projects of different scales resolved with a common logic, so much the better. This usually indicates a less superficial and more architectural approach. In a practice such as FFWD Arquitectos, for example, the combination of architecture and interior design allows the project to be viewed as a whole, something particularly relevant when the renovation must transform not only the image of the space, but also its functionality.

Personal compatibility matters too

A major refurbishment takes months. There will be meetings, decisions, adjustments and moments of tension. That is why, in addition to the technical level, it is worth assessing how the architect listens, how they argue their case and how they manage expectations. You don’t need to seek emotional rapport, but you do need a clear and fluid professional relationship.

If, during the initial discussions, the practice interrupts more than it listens, imposes solutions too soon or responds ambiguously to specific questions, that dynamic is likely to persist throughout the project. Conversely, when there is an ability to identify priorities, filter out the incidental and articulate ideas with precision, the process tends to gain solidity.

Budget, fees and actual scope

One of the trickiest aspects when considering how to choose an architect for a renovation is comparing service quotes without comparing the scope of work. Two seemingly different fees may correspond to completely different jobs. One might include conceptual design and basic plans. Another might cover the full project, measurements, planning permission, site supervision, interior design and coordination of tradespeople.

That is why it is not advisable to choose based solely on the figure. It makes sense to understand what is included, what is not, and the level of detail each phase will have. Low fees can end up being expensive if they force you to rethink decisions during construction or leave grey areas between the design and execution. At the same time, higher fees only make sense if they provide greater control, higher quality of definition and less room for improvisation.

Here, too, an important nuance arises: not all clients require the same service. Someone buying a property to increase its value may prioritise efficiency, timelines and clarity of investment. Someone renovating their main home will likely place greater value on the fine balance between daily life, comfort and aesthetic language. A hospitality operator, on the other hand, also needs an understanding of branding and user experience. A good architect adapts the scope to that context; they do not apply a standard package.

Signs that the practice truly understands renovation

There are firms that talk a lot about inspiration and little about constraints. In renovation, that is often a problem. Working on an existing space requires an understanding of structure, services, regulations, defects, budget constraints and hidden possibilities. It is an exercise in precision, not gratuitous gestures.

A good sign is that the architect asks very specific questions from the outset. How is the space used, what really needs changing, what is best left untouched, where does the property’s value lie, and what level of intervention makes sense. This way of asking questions reveals sound judgement. They are not seeking to impress, but to define.

Another positive sign is the ability to say no. No to a layout that undermines the logic of the space. No to a material unsuitable for the intensity of use. No to an idea that is visually appealing but poorly executed technically. In projects of a certain calibre, trust is also built in this way: through sound judgement, not complacency.

When to be wary

It is wise to keep your distance if the firm promises impossible deadlines, fixed budgets with hardly any information, or spectacular results without explaining the process. Also if they trivialise the preliminary phase and present the project as if everything could be decided on the fly. Improvisation rarely makes a good renovation cheaper. It almost always makes it more expensive.

An excessive focus on trends doesn’t help either. When the entire discussion revolves around the style of the moment, there is a risk of ending up with a space that looks dated far too soon. Good interior architecture doesn’t need flashiness to have an identity. It needs proportion, clarity, well-chosen materials and consistent decisions.

How to choose an architect for a renovation depending on the type of project

Renovating a home to live in is not the same as refurbishing a property to let or redesigning a restaurant. In private homes, personalisation and adaptation to lifestyle usually carry more weight. In investment projects, the focus shifts towards durability, efficiency and perceived value. In retail or hospitality, the space must also communicate a brand and function effectively.

Therefore, rather than looking for the ‘best’ architect in the abstract, it is better to seek the one best suited to that specific commission. The right practice will be the one that understands the use, the urban context, the level of ambition and the balance between design and profitability that the project requires.

That choice is rarely decided in a single meeting. The usual approach is to compare references, review past work at leisure, and engage in a conversation that evaluates both the proposal and the architect’s way of thinking. When that conversation brings clarity, structure, and a concrete vision of what the space could become, it is usually a good sign.

Choosing an architect for a renovation is, at its core, choosing the intellect that will shape every subsequent decision. If that foundation is solid, the project ceases to be a collection of scattered choices and begins to become a well-thought-out, well-built space that truly feels like your own. That difference isn’t always apparent at the start, but it becomes evident every day thereafter.