A designer will be part of your life for months, so the choice matters. These are the questions that tell you the most about a studio, including ours.
Look at real work
Look past the best image. Ask which projects are built and which are visualizations, how long they took and what the designer was responsible for.
Understand the process
Ask how the project moves from concept to drawings to construction, what you will receive at each stage and how decisions are approved.
Ask about drawings
Good drawings are what contractors build and price from. Ask to see an example set. Detailed drawings protect your budget.
Be clear on scope and fees
Know what the fee includes: number of rooms, options, revisions, site visits, furniture selection and supervision. Ask what happens if the scope grows.
Check communication and fit
You should feel listened to. Notice whether the designer asks about how you live, not only about how you want things to look. Language can matter too: our team speaks English, Armenian and Russian.
Check credentials
Ask who prepares and signs drawings for permits, and who builds. For construction in California, contractors must hold a license from the Contractors State License Board, which you can verify online.
By Albert Galstyan, Creative Director, Futuris Architects · Updated 2026-11-06
