To be more specific, hire an architect that has demonstrated experience with the type of project that you are considering. Make sure they understand construction costs (you don’t want your architect to design a $100,000 addition if your budget is $50,000).

Many people don’t want to pay for professional design services, but the cost is minor relative to the cost of construction. A good architect will help you save money on construction, keep you on budget, and figure out details that can dramatically improve your final space.