Start the project well
Before you hire an architect, get these facts first
An architect can help define the project, but design goes faster when the basic facts about the property and your priorities are not moving targets.
Reviewed against official sources · August 2026Understand the site
- A current survey showing boundaries, easements, topography, and existing improvements.
- Known critical areas, slopes, drainage, and utility constraints.
- Significant trees and likely arborist requirements.
- Available geotechnical information and whether new exploration is needed.
Define the brief
Write down the rooms, approximate size, accessibility needs, parking, outdoor spaces, and a short list of non-negotiables. Separate needs from preferences so the team can make tradeoffs intelligently.
Set an all-in budget
Construction is only one line. Include design consultants, surveys, geotechnical work, permits, utility work, financing, owner purchases, taxes, contingency, and temporary housing. Share the real ceiling with the architect.
Bellevue’s new-house permit page is a useful preview of the disciplines and documents a complex site may require.
Action plan
Create a useful architect-start package
- 1
Order or locate a current boundary and topographic survey; list easements, utilities, access, and known title restrictions.
- 2
Screen Bellevue maps and records for zoning, critical areas, slopes, streams, wetlands, trees, and prior permits.
- 3
Write a one-page program with target area, rooms, parking, outdoor spaces, accessibility needs, and ranked priorities.
- 4
Build an all-in budget that separates construction, consultants, permits, utilities, financing, owner purchases, contingency, and temporary housing.
- 5
Collect inspiration into a short annotated set explaining what you like, not hundreds of unranked images.
Official resources