For this one we had to work with an architect to change the roof and add some sqft to the house by turning it into a colonial.

they are harder to sell than a well-planned layout.i'm an Architect, so your options are Architect, Residential Designer, Interior Designer, maybe a Design-Build Contractor. 

You go to an architect to buy a set of plans they already made, or have them create new plans for you.

Sometimes you need an architect to draw up plans for large additions or renovations.

I will check with my architect to see if a 1/2 acre will be big enough to build a 12000 sqft building on.

If you've ever worked with a Civil Engineer or Architect before they may be able to give you a referral as well.

Unfortunately I am not working with a zoning attorney but I am working with an architect who has sort of taken on this role informally and also a slight mentor through the entire process.Unfortunately it is a lower income neighborhood which I didn't realize before that the gentrification is starting to displace people and it's obvious that the current residents are extremely upset about this.

I am an optometrist and my business partner is an architect/contractor. 

He referred me to an architect to work on the screening form, floor plans and site plan - Suzanne at sujodesign.comShe came out and looked at the property and made a list of things she thought we could be asked to change:- Blowing in more insulation - she said that there are different requirements for separation of units than for bedrooms added to the living space of a SFR, so we wouldn't know without opening the drywall and ceilings whether it is appropriate for a separate unit.- Ceiling height - there is a bedroom that doesn't have a high enough ceiling at the entrance to the bedroom.

You probably know that there's a notion in Architecture that architects should be broadly experienced and diversely skilled.