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Finally, you've found it. The site to build your perfect home. But how can you be sure the house you build will fulfil your expectations? How do you choose an architect you can trust to realise your dream?

The most obvious method is word of mouth. Do you have friends or family who already have a lovely home, one whose features and style are just what you're looking for? Is there a house in your neighbourhood you've always admired? Ask them who designed their home! If you're not brave enough to knock on a stranger's door, pop a note in their mailbox with your contact details chances are they'll be flattered that you admire their house, and will be happy to talk with you about it.

Don't just get the name of their architect: ask them if they are willing to spend some time discussing their experience with you. You may find that, though the end result is beautiful, the process of design and construction was a nightmare; that the project went way over budget; or that there are defects in the building which aren't obvious to you, as a visitor.

If this is the case, don't be tempted to ignore this feedback and hire their architect anyway, for the sake of getting the "look". Find a good architect of your own, and they should be able to reproduce the style if you show them the homes you like.

Even if you have someone's recommendation, you should always check the architect's standing. There are fraudsters in every profession! Americans are fortunate in that, unlike many other countries, no one can call themselves an architect unless they are licensed. Contact your State's Board of Architectural Registration (see Useful Addresses at the end of this article).

If you can't find an architect by referral, then your next step is the American Institute of Architects (see Useful Addresses). The local chapters usually keep referral lists, and can recommend an architect with experience in your specific type of project (traditional, heritage, contemporary, SoHo, etc). They also have an excellent search engine for architects on their website (http://www.aia.org/architect_ finder/). Only licensed architects are included in their database.

Most architects today have a website where they showcase previous projects and provide information about their firm. Use these to weed out firms that are not suitable for example, because their style doesn't appeal but don't rely on the web to make your final decision. You have no way of checking the authenticity of testimonials on the site, and clever

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