Residential Architects

The process varies project-to-project, but a general overview is listed below:

01 Idea generation. Work with your architect to determine what you want to achieve with your project. Images, products, and existing buildings are all great resources to find inspiration.

02 Design the project. As architects, we take into account the existing conditions of your site or home, as well as your goals and inspiration, and start putting ideas on paper. This process will generate drawings that illustrate your project.
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03 Secure your funding. If you are financing your project, some banks want to see architectural floor plans before loan approval. At this point in the process, the drawings we provide can be taken to a bank.
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04 Permit the project. We submit the project drawings and required forms to the local jurisdiction to secure building permits necessary for construction.
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05 Find a builder and start construction. Using the drawings we have generated, you can ask around for multiple bids or choose a preferred builder for the project. A general contractor will provide a bid for the cost of construction based on the drawings provided. Once a builder is selected, they will begin the construction process and start bringing your project to life.

Read more in depth about the process of designing a custom home with a residential architect.

The requirements for a project to have a licensed architect change from state-to-state. In Washington State, you are not required to have a licensed architect for residential projects smaller than 4 units. Anything 4 units or larger, and all commercial and institutional work require a licensed architect.

That being said, the licensing process for architects is lengthy and exhaustive. To obtain a license, architects have to receive an accredited Bachelor or Master of Architecture degree, undergo 3,740 hours of work under a licensed architect, pass 6 exams through 33 1/2 hours of testing, and maintain 24 hours of professional development hours every 2 years.

There is a high standard to maintain as a licensed architect. When working with a licensed architect, this standard is upheld for all projects. If you are unsure about hiring an architect for your project, rest assured that you are in capable hands if they are licensed.

Construction costs can vary significantly from one project to another, and cost per square foot is only a rough starting point. Two homes of the same size can have dramatically different construction costs depending on the complexity of the design, quality of finishes, amount of glass, structural requirements, site conditions, and how the project is built.

In our experience, some of the biggest factors affecting construction cost include design complexity, finish level, site development, project size, and contractor involvement. A straightforward home using standard materials and conventional construction methods may cost substantially less per square foot than a highly customized home with large expanses of glass, complex structure, premium finishes, or challenging site work.

Site conditions can be particularly significant. Steep slopes, retaining walls, difficult excavation, high snow loads, limited site access, or extensive utility work can add substantial cost without adding any additional square footage to the home. Similarly, additions and smaller projects often have a higher cost per square foot than larger new homes because kitchens, bathrooms, structural modifications, and other expensive components are concentrated into a smaller area.

The way a project is constructed also matters. An owner who acts as their own general contractor or performs portions of the work themselves may achieve a very different construction cost than a comparable project completed by a full-service custom home builder.

For these reasons, we prefer to evaluate construction budgets based on the specific project rather than applying a single cost-per-square-foot number. Early in the design process, we consider the project's size, complexity, site, material expectations, and construction approach to help establish a realistic budget and design accordingly.

This is largely dependent on the complexity and scale of the project. For a client that knows exactly what they want out of their project, the design and permit process can take 4-6 months in most jurisdictions. However, for clients that want to explore multiple options for their project or do not have an expedited timeline, the design and permit process can take 8-12 months. As for construction, this largely depends on the selected builder. A typical timeline for a 2,000 square foot home, for example, can take 1 to 1.5 years.

Architect's rates can vary depending on their location and their reputation, as well as the client's level of involvement. As a general rule-of-thumb, our fees will end up at around 5-15% of the cost of construction for the project. Some architects charge their services hourly, with an estimated amount or a range of total cost. Other architects charge a fixed fee. For more information on the range of fees from architects, checkout this Forbes article on residential architect fees.

Hiring an architect is an added cost to the total project cost upfront, but provides a well-coordinated project that can be carried out more efficiently and save you money during the construction process. Additionally, a home designed with the expertise of a licensed architect can increase appraisal and can dramatically add value to your investment.

Bringing on an architect can be the difference between a custom designed home tailored to how you live versus an off-the-shelf spec home as well. Designing and building a home is a very involved process that requires accurate drawings, managing multiple parties on the project team, talking with the jurisdiction, understanding the permit process and the building code. An architect takes on this responsibility so you don't have to.

Learn more about how to choose the right residential architect for your project.