Many people spend months searching for an architect before understanding how the process actually works — or what it really costs. This guide exists to change that. Read it before our first conversation and we'll be able to skip straight to what matters: your project. — Andrés Villaveces, Design Director
If you're reading this, you're probably considering building a custom home. Maybe you already have a property, or a rough idea, or just a serious question about whether it's even possible for you. It's a big decision, and it can feel overwhelming. But it's not mysterious. There's a process that architects and builders have followed for a long time, with clear phases, real timelines, and costs that can be understood before you commit to anything.
Design is one part of this, and it's the part we know best. But before we get into how we work and what we charge, we want to give you the full picture. There are a lot of people involved in building a home: architect, engineers, consultants, a general contractor, dozens of subcontractors. Your architect is the person who accompanies you through the entire process — your single point of contact from first sketch to move-in day. That's why we built this guide.
Understanding who does what, and when, is what separates clients who feel in control from clients who feel like things are happening to them. That's what we want for you.
We'll also walk through what it actually costs: construction, design, permitting, and how to right-size your investment before you start. The numbers are real and the ranges are specific to our market.
We know this is a lot of information. Most people spend years piecing it together, one conversation at a time. This guide puts it in one place. Take your time with it, and if something isn't clear, reach out.
We can only speak to what we know. The costs, timelines, and fee ranges here come from our practice: modern homes in the Seattle-Bellevue area and greater Eastside, current as of 2026. Construction costs change based on location, market conditions, the builder, the site, and the type of home you want to build. Design fees vary based on the scope of service, the architect's experience, and the type of work they do. What you'll find here reflects the projects we've delivered, the builders we've worked with, and the numbers we've seen over the years. The principles apply broadly, but if you're building in a different market, with a different team, or at a different scale, this guide will still walk you through the process, the roles, and the structure of a residential budget. Bring the numbers to your own team and use them as reference points.
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