Before you hire an architect in Kanpur, confirm they are registered with the Council of Architecture, visit at least one finished project, and get the scope, fee and drawing list in writing. Ask who will handle the development authority approval and how often they will visit site.
1. Check Council of Architecture registration
Under the Architects Act, 1972, only a person registered with the Council of Architecture (COA) can call themselves an architect in India. Ask for the registration number and check it on the COA's online register. It takes two minutes and rules out most problems on its own.
2. See finished work, not only renders
3D views show what a design could look like. A finished house shows how it was built, how it has aged and whether the owners still like it. Ask to visit one completed project, ideally one that has been lived in for a few years, and speak to the owner if they agree.
3. Agree the scope in writing
"Design" can mean a floor plan and an elevation, or a full set of working drawings, structural coordination, interiors and site visits. Get a written list of what you will receive:
- Concept plans and 3D elevations
- Working drawings for the builder
- Structural, electrical and plumbing drawings, or who provides them
- Interior drawings, if interiors are included
- Drawings for the building plan approval
4. Understand how the fee is worked out
Architects usually charge either a percentage of construction cost or a fixed fee per square foot or per stage. Neither is better, but you should know which one you are on, what triggers each payment, and what counts as extra work if the design changes later.
5. Ask who handles the approvals
In Kanpur the building plan is sanctioned by the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA), and in Lucknow by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). Ask whether the architect prepares and submits the drawings, and how they handle setbacks, height and parking rules for your plot before the design is final.
6. Ask how often they visit site
Most of what goes wrong on a house goes wrong on site: levels, waterproofing, window sizes, finishes. Agree how many site visits are included, at which stages (foundation, slab, plaster, finishing), and who you call when the contractor has a question.
7. Check they design for the local climate
Summers above 40°C are common across central Uttar Pradesh. A good architect will talk about orientation, shading on the west and south, cross-ventilation and roof insulation before they talk about the façade. If Vastu matters to your family, raise it in the first meeting so it shapes the plan instead of being patched in later.
Planning a home?
Space Designers has designed homes and interiors across Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi and Uttar Pradesh since 1996. Tell us about your plot and brief.
