It used to be by word of mouth. Or by reading about a lovely house in a magazine and calling the number quoted at the bottom of the feature. Or after seeing a plate on the high street with ARCHITECTS written on it, ringing the bell and asking to talk with a partner.

Now, the first place to look for an architect is the Internet.

This means that when Googling "best architects in London", one must scroll a few pages before finding a genuine listing.

After a page or two of adverts, one would have to wade through many "platforms" where architects are listed as "best" in exchange for a fee.

Once you finally get to the genuine listings, is there such a thing as finding the best architect?

With so many good architectural practices in town, how do you choose the best (for your project)?

In our experience, you cannot.

It would be like having the formula to find the best husband, or, to stay in the residential field, to find the perfect home.

Perfection does not exist, but there are a few factors that make an architectural firm more or less suited to your project.

Here is what to consider when browsing the Internet to select the architectural practice for your project.

5 questions to ask yourself when looking for an architect online.

1. Does the listing belong to a genuine architectural practice, or is it a platform with paying advertisers?

2. Does the site offer a design & build formula? Beware of contractors who offer design services for "free". Far from being a saving for you, this is a way for the builder to cut the layer of control and accountability provided by an independent architect. Nothing is "for free" in the building industry.

3. What do the online reviews tell you? Are they filled with general, vague praise, or do they list specific skills, valuable solutions, and actions carried out by the architect that will benefit your project?

4. Does the architect specialise in the type and size of project you are looking for? The architectural field is vast, and the best architects tend to excel in a certain niche. Remember: you are looking for the best architect for your specific job.

5. Can you spot a cookie-cutter formula? If you are after a signature style, probably you have already have a designer in mind. Otherwise, look out for a firm whose portfolio is varied in style and design solutions. This is a sign of a professional who listens to their client and is able to translate their desires into design.  A home makeover is a big investment and you deserve a project tailored to you and your home.

10 reasons why we are not the best architects in London, but we can be the best architects for your project.

1. We love houses, and we love people.

And we are very good at putting them together. Beauty and functionality go hand in hand in our projects, for your home to become the place where you are at your best.

2. We run each project in person.

We have chosen to keep a very small studio to run each project personally. We do not subcontract any work, and we do not delegate. You will get a senior architect to take care of your project from concept to completion.

3. We have a great planning success rate.

We have a 95% success rate in our planning applications, and we are familiar with Westminster, RBKC, and Camden planning departments. They are the strictest in the country, meaning that we are very good at navigating any policy, restriction, and planning condition.

4. We are architects and interior designers.

Architecture and interior design go hand in hand. We plan furniture layouts, lighting and built-in furniture at the start of each project. This way, both the bones and the flesh of your project are budgeted for.

Each layer of the design is detailed and priced before the works start on site, minimising stress and maximising efficiency.

5. We are not young.

We have been working as project architects since the beginning of this century. We are proud of the expertise we have accumulated and we now offer it to you. We are not scared by building works and the challenges they might present, and we will guide you through every step of your home renovation.

6. We are female.

Is there any advantage in hiring a woman architect for a residential project? Note that in the UK only 31% of architects are female. This indicates that women who make it in this field are either very gifted, motivated, or stubborn.  All good traits for someone you hire to turn your ideas into reality.

Our clients describe us as intuitive, creative, organised, caring, reassuring, communicative, responsive, practical, and imaginative.

7. If this is not enough, we are also both working mothers.

8. We have got friends.

Having run projects in London for more than 20 years, we have built a solid network of professionals, specialists, and suppliers.  We share the same approach to quality and service, and we trust their expertise and skills.

9. We see the sun go up and go down.

We have two offices, one in Maida Vale, West London and one in Bermondsey, East London. This makes it easy to meet clients and visit sites all across London. We have also run successful projects as far as Norfolk and Italy.

10. We are nosy.

We love hearing about you. About your needs and dreams, your family, and your habits.

We will ask you lots of questions, as the more we know about them, the better home we can design for you.