New Construction Architect

What can we do for you?

01. Pre-Design

We start with an initial consultation about your goals, timeline, and budget. We learn how you live, evaluate the site, and guide you through the permitting steps ahead.

02. Design

We develop several design options for you, with floor plans and 3D renderings. If you're unsure what you want, this is where we explore the possibilities together.

03. Permits

Once the design is final, we prepare the permit documentation and submit it to the right jurisdiction. We can lead the process or support you, and we respond 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.

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 one-size-fits-all. Here are straight answers to the questions we hear most from people planning ground-up construction.

What is the new construction design process?

We follow five industry-standard phases: Pre-design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. It starts with an initial consultation about your goals, timeline, and budget. Schematic design gives you multiple options to react to. 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 make sure the home is built according to the design.

Do I need an architect for a new custom home?

For custom homes in our area, an architect is not legally required unless the project includes four or more units. Still, a new home involves many decisions about zoning, site conditions, structure, and code. We are licensed residential architects who understand local zoning codes, building regulations, and permit requirements. We design around your site and your life, and we prepare documentation intended to produce a home that is structurally sound and compliant with local building codes.

What does it cost to build a new custom home?

We can't give a single figure, because construction cost depends on the size and complexity of the home, the site, and the materials you choose. We weigh cost alongside fire resilience, sustainability, and design, often using a matrix to compare materials. We recommend working with a general contractor for cost estimating. Our schematic design drawings are prepared at a level a builder can use for a preliminary estimate. To talk through your project, contact us to schedule a consultation.

How long does a new home design take?

For clients with a clear vision and a defined program, we typically see design and permitting take 4–6 months, depending on the jurisdiction. Timing shifts with how settled your ideas are and how the local jurisdiction handles review. We prepare construction documents while the jurisdiction reviews your permit application, so work keeps moving. If you're still deciding what you want, we can produce multiple floor plan and 3D options to help you get there. Construction time depends on the project and your builder.

How much does a new construction architect charge?

Our fees typically range between 5% and 15% of total construction cost. Where your project falls depends on the home's complexity, the site conditions, and the level of service you need. We tailor services project by project, so you pay for what your project requires. For example, we can lead the permitting process or support you with it, and we offer construction administration on an as-needed basis. We offer a free consultation covering your vision, site, budget, and what is possible.

Why hire an architect for new construction?

A new home is built from context, your input, and construction knowledge, and an architect brings all three together. We design in 3D from the start and keep refining the model throughout. We help you weigh financial and regulatory factors early. We also coordinate with your surveyor, septic designer, engineer, and builder before construction begins. The result is a home shaped around how you live, with fewer surprises once building starts.