Architect Consultation

What can we do for you?

01. Pre-Design

We start by listening to your story, goals, timeline, and budget. Then we look at the site and the local zoning, code, and permitting requirements that will shape what can be built.

02. Design

Next we develop multiple design options for you, with floor plans and 3D renderings. If you are unsure what you want, the options help you see it and react to it.

03. Permits

Once the design is final, we prepare the permit documentation and submit it for you. We can lead the permitting process or support you through it, including responding to review comments.

04. Construction

You receive construction drawings detailed enough for a general contractor to build from. We can help you vet builders and stay involved during construction as your project needs.

Don't just take our word for it.

Here's what our clients have to say.

"RD's team provided us with a very special creative process designing our home...If you are seriously looking to elevate your next project, work with Refine Design!"

Shy F.

Mountain Lodge

"Stone and Julia were very professional and extremely helpful in designing our project. Their patience and attention to detail were integral in configuring a change of use building."

Dustin D.

Ballard DADU

"They not only helped bring our vision to life, but offered a point of view we had not thought of. I highly recommend this duo - they are incredibly easy to work with."

Kendall F.

Gig Harbor Remodel

"No words can describe how exceptional Julia and Stone are at their work...Not only did they research extensively into the building codes but they poured so much thought into the design."

Yu Chi S.

Seattle Bathroom Remodel

"It was great working with Refine Design Architecture for our cabin expansion. They listened to our requirements, offered feedback and produced designs that fulfilled our vision"

Antonio G.

Leavenworth Cabin Addition

"Their work was on schedule, on budget, and their ideas were very helpful. If you're searching for an architectural team that can fit the bill, look no further."

James M.

Accessibility Retrofit

Have questions?
We have answers.

Building or renovating a home is never one-size-fits-all. Here are straight answers to the questions people ask us most before they begin.

How does an Architect Consultation lead into the design and build process?

Your Architect Consultation is the first conversation in a process that follows five industry-standard phases: Pre-design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. We begin by understanding your project goals, timeline, and budget. In design, we produce several options with floor plans and 3D renderings. A structural engineer joins during Design Development. By the end of Construction Documents, you have an approved building permit, a complete set of construction drawings, and a finalized specification package. During construction, we answer questions and check that the project is built according to the design.

Do I need to hire an architect after an Architect Consultation?

An architect is not legally required for custom homes in our area unless the project includes four or more units. Still, a legal minimum is only part of the picture. An Architect Consultation helps you decide how much help your project calls for. Our architects are licensed and understand local zoning codes, building regulations, and permit requirements. Our details are intended to produce homes that are structurally sound and compliant with local building codes. We also make sure mother-in-law suites and ADUs comply with local zoning. If you are weighing whether to go it alone, we are glad to talk it through.

How can an Architect Consultation help me understand construction cost?

Construction cost depends on the scope of your project, the site, the materials you choose, and the market when you build. We can't quote a number without knowing those details. An Architect Consultation is where we start weighing the financial and regulatory factors with you. We balance cost, fire resilience, sustainability, and design, and compare materials against all four. Our schematic drawings are detailed enough for a builder to give a rough order-of-magnitude estimate. We recommend working with a general contractor for cost estimating. Get in touch and we can talk through your budget.

How long does an Architect Consultation and design take?

After your Architect Consultation, design and permitting typically take 4 to 6 months for clients with a clear vision and a defined program. The exact time depends on the jurisdiction reviewing your permit. We prepare construction documents while the local jurisdiction reviews your application, so the work keeps moving. If you are still working out what you want, we produce multiple floor plan and 3D design options to help you decide. The more settled your goals are when we begin, the smoother the schedule tends to go.

What does an Architect Consultation cost, and what are your fees?

Our initial Architect Consultation is free. It covers your vision, your site, your budget, and what is possible. If we go on to work together, our fees typically range between 5% and 15% of total construction cost. Where a project lands in that range depends on the home's complexity, the site conditions, and the level of service you need. Services are tailored project by project. For example, we can lead the permitting process or support you with it, and we can provide construction administration on an as-needed basis. We are happy to explain how the fee would apply to your project.

Why start with an Architect Consultation?

An Architect Consultation lets us understand your project before any design decisions are made. We do not use templates or generic solutions. Our site-specific design is built around how you live. Early on we encourage collaboration among you, the architect, the builder, and the engineer, so the vision matches the site and the budget before construction starts. Our lighting and electrical plans are meant to reduce surprises in construction. We use AI as an assistant to our team, not a replacement for the architect, and every decision is guided by a real person.