New Build Architect

What can we do for you?

01. Pre-Design

This is where we get on a first name basis. We listen to your story, goals, timeline, and budget, then review the site and the local zoning and permitting requirements for your new home.

02. Design

This is the good stuff. With your ideas and our design expertise, we develop several design options, with floor plans and 3D renderings that let you see your future home before it is built.

03. Permits

Once the design is ready, we prepare the documentation your local jurisdiction needs for a building permit. We can lead the permitting process or support you through it, including review comments.

04. Construction

We deliver construction drawings detailed enough for a general contractor to build from. We can help you vet builders and stay involved during construction to keep the project true to the design.

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 a new home is never a one-size-fits-all process. Every project is as unique as the people and the site behind it, so here are answers to what new-home clients ask us most.

What is the New Build Architect process from first call to construction?

Working with a New Build Architect at Refine follows five industry-standard phases: Pre-design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. We begin with an initial consultation about your goals, timeline, and budget. Next we produce multiple design options with floor plans and 3D renderings. A structural engineer joins during Design Development, and we prepare construction documents while the jurisdiction reviews your permit application. By the end of that phase you have an approved building permit, a complete set of construction drawings, and a finalized specification package.

Is a New Build Architect required for a custom home?

In our area, an architect is not legally required for custom homes unless the project includes four or more units. Even so, many homeowners choose a New Build Architect because a custom home involves site constraints, codes, and many coordinated decisions. Our architects are licensed, and we 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 help you weigh financial and regulatory factors early in design. If you are unsure, our free consultation covers your vision, site, budget, and what is possible.

What will building cost when I hire a New Build Architect?

We can't give a single number, because construction cost depends on the size of the home, the site conditions, the materials you choose, and market conditions. A New Build Architect can help you steer those choices. We balance four priorities: cost, fire resilience, sustainability, and design, and we compare materials against them in a matrix. Our schematic design drawings are prepared at a level a builder can use for a rough order of magnitude estimate, and we recommend working with a general contractor for cost estimating. Contact us to talk through your project.

How long does it take to design with a New Build Architect?

Design and permitting with a New Build Architect typically takes 4–6 months for clients with a clear vision and defined program, depending on the jurisdiction. The pace depends on how settled your goals are, how complex the site is, and how quickly the local permitting office reviews your application. We prepare construction documents while the jurisdiction reviews the permit, which keeps things moving. If you are unsure what you want, we produce multiple floor plan and 3D design options to help you decide.

What fee should I expect from a New Build Architect?

Our fees typically range between 5% and 15% of total construction cost. Where a New Build Architect lands in that range depends on the home's complexity, the site conditions, and the level of service you need. We tailor pricing to the project's size, complexity, and site conditions, and services are shaped project by project to fit your goals. Some clients want us only through permitting, while others want us involved on call during construction. Start with our free consultation and we will talk through what your project would involve.

Why bring in a New Build Architect before you build?

A New Build Architect designs a home around the people who will use it and the land it sits on. We design in 3D from the start, so you can see choices early, and we coordinate with surveyors, septic designers, engineers, and builders before construction. That early collaboration helps align your vision with site and budget realities. Every rendering and concept is composed by a real designer or architect, and responsibility for code compliance rests with our architects and project managers, not AI. You work with the same people from the first sketch to the final drawings.