You've decided to work with an architecture firm in Trabzon, but how do you choose the right one? We walk through the concrete criteria to look for, from TMMOB registration to contract clarity.
The information in this article applies to Turkey. Once you decide to work with an architecture firm in Trabzon, you'll likely find dozens of options in front of you. The criteria below can each be turned into a concrete question to ask at your first meeting.
TMMOB registration and professional qualification
For an architect to sign off on a project tied to a building permit, they must be registered with the Chamber of Architects (TMMOB). Asking whether this registration is current is one of the most basic, and most often skipped, questions to ask at the outset.
A portfolio of completed projects
Seeing projects that have actually been completed and are in use (ideally in person, not just renderings) is the best way to gauge the gap between expectation and outcome. It's worth looking for examples in the portfolio that match your project's scale and type: villa, apartment building, or commercial space.
Is the scope of service clear?
Does the firm only produce architectural drawings, or does it also handle the permit process, legal site supervision, and interior design? Getting this scope clear from the outset prevents the "that wasn't part of our job" surprises that can surface midway through a project.
Transparency throughout the process
Does the firm provide regular reporting during construction: photos, progress updates? This is especially critical if you're following the project remotely.
Local experience: Black Sea topography and climate
A firm that has genuinely worked with the region's sloped terrain, high rainfall, and coastal breeze produces solutions that have actually been tested on-site, not generic, one-size-fits-all fixes. It's worth asking which of the firm's past projects were completed on similarly sloped sites.
Contract and fee clarity
How the fee is calculated (see our article on how architecture fees are calculated), along with the payment schedule, revision rights, and delivery dates, should all be spelled out in a written contract. This protects both you and the firm.
How MEEZ Mimarlık measures up on these criteria
Based in Trabzon Yomra, we manage the entire process under one roof (from design through permitting, site supervision, and interior design) and we put the scope and fees in writing at the very first meeting.
Reach out to us for an initial consultation, or learn more about our process on our frequently asked questions page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does an architect's TMMOB registration matter?
To sign off on a project tied to a building permit, an architect must be registered with the Chamber of Architects (TMMOB). A project by an unregistered architect cannot be approved for a permit. Asking whether the registration is current takes only a few seconds.
What should I look for in a portfolio?
Renderings always look good. What matters is how many of those projects were actually built. Look for completed examples that match your project's scale and type: villa, apartment building, or commercial space.
Why should the scope of service be clear from the start?
If it isn't clear whether the firm only produces architectural drawings or also handles the permit process, site supervision, and interior design, you risk "that wasn't part of our job" surprises midway through the project.
What should be written into the contract?
How the fee is calculated, the payment schedule, revision rights, and delivery dates should all be spelled out in a written contract. A verbal agreement doesn't offer the same protection.
