01 — Idea Generation. We begin by getting on a first-name basis. As your residential architect in Seattle, we collaborate with you to define the vision for your custom home—whether you're planning a modern retreat on Bainbridge Island, a view home in Edmonds, or a legacy property in Kirkland. We review inspiration images, materials, and how you want your home to feel and function. This is where the creative process begins.

02 — Design the Project. We assess your site, navigate local zoning regulations in Seattle, Bellevue, or shoreline-adjacent areas like Mercer Island, and consider topography, views, and environmental factors. As experienced residential architects, we translate your goals into architectural form—developing floor plans, schematic studies, and 3D visuals that reflect your lifestyle and the unique context of your property.
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‍03 — Secure Your Funding. If you’re applying for a construction loan, most Washington lenders require design documentation prepared by a licensed residential architect. We provide the detailed floor plans and materials lenders need to underwrite your project with confidence.
See how we support custom home planning →

‍04 — Permit the Project. Next, we submit your drawings and required documents to the appropriate permitting agency—whether it’s the City of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, or other local jurisdictions. Our team’s experience as residential architects in the Puget Sound region helps avoid delays and keeps your permitting process on track.
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‍05 — Find a Builder and Start Construction. With a full set of construction drawings in hand, you're ready to collect bids or move forward with your preferred contractor. As your residential architect, we help you vet builders, coordinate with your consultants, and stay involved throughout construction to ensure your custom home is built exactly as designed.
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Get in touch with our team →Want a deeper look at what it’s like to design and build with a residential architect in Seattle?
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Read our full blog post on the custom home design process →

In Washington State, the legal requirement to hire a licensed residential architect depends on the type and size of your project. For single-family custom homes in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Kenmore, or Bainbridge Island, an architect is not legally required unless the project includes four or more dwelling units. However, all multifamily (4+), commercial, and institutional projects do require a licensed architect under state law.

That said, many homeowners still choose to work with a licensed residential architect for custom single-family homes—and for good reason. Licensure provides an added layer of design quality, building code expertise, and professional accountability that can reduce risk, prevent costly mistakes, and streamline your entire project.

To become licensed in Washington, an architect must graduate from a NAAB-accredited program, complete 3,740 hours of supervised internship, and pass six rigorous national exams totaling more than 33 hours of testing. Architects must also complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to stay current with evolving codes, sustainability practices, and construction standards.

At Refine Design Architecture, we uphold these standards on every project—whether we're designing a waterfront home in Kirkland, a hillside retreat on Bainbridge Island, or navigating shoreline permitting in Seattle. When you work with a licensed residential architect, you gain peace of mind knowing your home is designed with precision, integrity, and long-term value in mind.

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Still wondering if your project requires a licensed architect? Read our blog post →
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Construction costs in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Kenmore, and Bainbridge Island can vary widely based on site conditions, market fluctuations, home size, design complexity, and finish level.

As of 2025, most custom home projects in the greater Seattle area fall within the $400 to $1,000 per square foot range. A well-designed home with moderate finishes and average site access typically lands between $400–$600/sf. High-end custom homes—with large windows, advanced mechanical systems, smart home technology, and complex siting (e.g., steep slopes, shoreline buffers)—often range from $800–$1,200/sf or more.

At the upper end—$1,500 per square foot—are ultra-luxury homes, often found on Mercer Island or Bainbridge Island, that feature extensive structural engineering, imported finishes, multi-phase mechanical systems, and tight urban or waterfront constraints.

Every site is different, and your construction budget should reflect your goals, location, and project priorities. As licensed residential architects, we help clients across the Puget Sound region develop realistic budgets, optimize design decisions for long-term value, and produce highly detailed construction documentation that keeps the project running smoothly.

‍Explore our full list of architectural services →
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Get in touch with our team → to discuss your custom home project.
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Read our blog post on designing and building with a residential architect →

Timelines for designing and building a custom home in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Kenmore, or Bainbridge Island vary depending on project complexity, jurisdiction, and site conditions.

For clients with a clear vision and defined scope, the design and permitting phase typically takes 4–6 months. However, if you're exploring multiple design options or working on a more flexible schedule, this phase can extend to 8–12 months.

‍Permitting timelines vary widely by jurisdiction. Cities like Bellevue, Kirkland, and Seattle can be relatively predictable. However, if your project falls under King County jurisdiction, expect a much longer process—typically 12 to 24 months. King County is known for its strict permitting standards and slow internal processing, and it can be very difficult to expedite or move a permit forward once it enters the review queue. This is especially true for projects involving steep slopes, wetlands, or shoreline overlays.

Once permits are secured, the construction timeline is shaped by contractor availability, site complexity, and weather. A well-planned 2,000-square-foot custom home in the Seattle area usually takes 12 to 18 months to complete—longer for hillside, waterfront, or remote lots requiring specialized access or infrastructure.

As your licensed residential architect, we guide you through every phase—design, permitting, and construction—with proactive communication and coordination to keep your project on track from start to finish.

‍Explore how we guide clients through the design and permitting process →
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Get in touch with our team → to discuss your timeline.
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Read our blog post on the custom home process →

Architectural fees can vary based on an architect’s experience, reputation, location, and how involved you want to be throughout the process. In Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Kenmore, and Bainbridge Island, our fees as licensed residential architects typically range between 5% and 15% of the total construction cost.

Some residential architects charge hourly with an estimated project total, while others offer a fixed-fee structure. At Refine Design Architecture, we tailor our pricing based on your home’s size, site conditions, and project complexity—always with transparency and clearly defined expectations.

Whether you're planning a modern home in Madrona, a legacy renovation in Edmonds, or a waterfront retreat on Bainbridge Island, we’ll walk you through an architectural fee structure that aligns with your vision, budget, and timeline.

‍Explore our architectural services and pricing approach →
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Want a better idea of what your project might cost? Contact us for a consultation →
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Read more about how architectural fees work and what they include →

Hiring a licensed residential architect is an upfront investment that adds long-term value at every stage of your custom home project. For homeowners in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Kenmore, and Bainbridge Island, working with a residential architect ensures your home is not only beautifully designed—but also functional, efficient, and built to last.

Designing in the Puget Sound region comes with unique challenges, including steep slope regulations, shoreline setbacks, stormwater codes, and critical area reviews. A local residential architect understands these jurisdictional and environmental factors and incorporates them into the design—using durable, regionally appropriate materials, energy-efficient systems, and proven strategies for hillside or waterfront construction.

Beyond the design itself, a licensed residential architect coordinates your full team—consultants, engineers, and general contractors—while managing permitting and approvals through the City of Seattle, King County, or other local departments. This results in fewer delays, fewer change orders, and a more predictable construction process.

Most importantly, a residential architect helps you create a custom home that reflects how you live—not a mass-produced plan. That level of intentional design increases your home’s value, performance, and long-term satisfaction.

‍Explore our architectural services for Seattle-area homes →
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Read our guide to choosing the right residential architect →
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Contact our team to get started →