Selecting the right architecture firm is one of the most important steps in any new construction or remodeling project. In Washington, DC, where zoning rules are complex, historic districts are protected, and homes often require creative, context-aware solutions, the choice matters even more. The right partner will bring your vision to life, navigate DC’s unique challenges, and ensure your investment stands the test of time.
Drawing on more than thirty-five years of experience designing and building homes across the DC metro area, here are seven essential tips to help you choose the perfect architecture partner.
1. Prioritize Local Washington, DC Experience
Washington, DC isn’t a market you can learn as you go. Between Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), zoning boards, historic overlays, and layered permitting requirements, deep local knowledge is essential.
For over three decades, our team has renovated and built homes across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, ranging from Capitol Hill rowhouses to Chevy Chase colonials and custom new homes. This experience allows us to anticipate challenges early and design solutions that align beautifully with DC’s architectural character and regulations.
What to ask:
- Have you completed projects in my neighborhood?
- How familiar are you with DC zoning and historic preservation?
2. Look for a True Design-Build Approach
In DC’s fast-moving and often unpredictable environment, an integrated design-build model offers significant advantages. When architecture, interior design, estimating, and construction all operate under one roof, communication improves, costs are more accurate, and the entire process runs smore smoothly.
At Landis, our architects, designers, and builders collaborate from concept through construction. This continuity reduces friction, ensures design integrity, and keeps projects on time and on budget.
What to ask:
- How do your architecture and construction teams work together?
- Who ensures that designs stay aligned with the budget?
3. Assess Craftsmanship, Quality, and Longevity
A great design should stand strong for decades. Quality materials, thoughtful structural decisions, and careful execution all contribute to long-term value.
Our work is rooted in creativity, craftsmanship, and integrity. Every project is built to last, with attention to detail that honors DC’s architectural history while meeting the needs of modern living.
What to ask:
- How do you select materials and ensure construction quality?
- What steps do you take to maximize long-term durability?
4. Choose a Firm With a Transparent, Proven Process
Successful projects begin with clarity. Transparency around scope, budget, schedule, and communication ensures everyone moves forward with confidence.
Our process starts with a complimentary home visit, followed by schematic design, detailed construction drawings, and ongoing communication throughout the build. We stand behind our work with a two-year warranty and dedicated post-project support.
What to ask:
- What are the major stages of your process?
- Who will be my main point of contact and how often will me meet?
5. Partner With a Firm That Listens
Your home should reflect how you live, entertain, and relax. The right partner listens deeply, designs collaboratively, and tailors every element to your lifestyle.
We don’t impose a single “signature style.” Instead, we begin every project by understanding your goals, preferences, and daily routines - then design a space that’s authentically yours.
What to ask:
- How do you incorporate client vision into your designs?
- What steps do you take to understand how we live and use our space?
6. Confirm Experience With Your Project Type
DC homes come with unique quirks, tight lots, historic regulations, aging structures, and multi-phase construction challenges. A firm’s experience with projects like yours makes a difference.
Our portfolio includes whole-house renovations, additions, custom new homes, kitchens, baths, exteriors, and historic preservation. This broad, specialized experience allows us to handle even the most complex conditions with confidence.
What to ask:
- Have you completed projects similar in style and scale to mine?
- Can you share examples of comparable work?
7. Align Early on Budget, Timeline, and Expectations
Clear communication around cost, schedule, and scope protects your investment and helps avoid surprises down the line.
As part of our design-build process, we present a detailed project proposal—including design fees, a preliminary construction range, and a defined timeline—before drawings progress. That transparency creates trust and helps projects stay on course.
What to ask:
- What budget range should we expect for this type of project?
- How do you handle scope changes or unforeseen conditions?
Why Homeowners Choose Landis Architects | Builders
For more than three decades, Landis has served the Washington, DC community with integrated design-build services rooted in craftsmanship, collaboration, and transparency. Whether renovating a historic rowhouse, designing a major addition, or building a new custom home, we bring local expertise and seamless execution to every project.
If you’re seeking Washington, DC architects who understand the city, prioritize your vision, and deliver lasting quality, we’d be honored to help you create a home that inspires and endures.
