The best team you can have is one that actually operates like a holistic team. Everyone needs to mesh and communicate well with one another. Even if your architect recommends a particular contractor, you need to meet him/her before signing on the dotted line. Also,make sure to meet the person who will be your superintendent (the one on site everyday) … not just the boss who is interviewing for your project. That same advice applies to interviewing architects. You need to meet the architect with whom you will have your daily communication about walls, windows, and cabinets, if it isn’t the person at the initial interview.
Everyone involved should then get together to discuss the project to determine if there is a good vibe and mutual respect, because your team will be in your life and your home for months, if not years. Ask hard questions about their experience and what they do if something goes wrong… then trust your gut if your inner red flag goes up. If someone isn’t right for you, it is okay to move on to someone else. You also need to realize that you are just as important a team member as your architect or contractor. You must understand what your responsibilities are as the homeowner and hold yourself to those, so as not to hold up the process or unknowingly cost yourself added fees. Those homeowner duties will be readily available in your contracts with your architect and contractor and are great topics of conversation in those early meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Check out my BOOK to learn more, and feel free to leave a question or comment. I will respond!
See also HOW TO SELECT AN ARCHITECT and HOW TO SELECT A CONTRACTOR