As residential designers, our primary role is to be the creative and technical expert for your home project. We translate your ideas and needs into a complete set of architectural drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections, details, etc.) that your contractor will use to build your new home, addition, or renovation. We focus on creating functional layouts, beautiful spaces, and buildable, code-compliant plans.

While both professions design buildings, the primary difference lies in the scope of work permitted by state law. In South Carolina, we specialize in the design of single-family homes and their additions/renovations, a practice specifically allowed by state regulations. Licensed architects have a broader license that includes large-scale commercial and public buildings. For your home project, we provide the same core design services and high-quality construction documents you would expect from a traditional architecture firm.

We offer a full range of residential design services tailored to your specific needs. Our primary areas of focus are:

New Construction: Designing custom homes from the ground up.

Alterations & Additions: Seamlessly integrating new spaces like master suites, family rooms, or second-story additions into your existing home.

Renovations & Remodels: Reimagining existing spaces, from complete kitchen and bathroom remodels to whole-house renovations.

From a simple interior remodel to a complex custom home, we are equipped and eager to handle projects of all sizes and complexities. There is no job too small or too large for our studio.

Our process is designed to be collaborative and clear. It typically follows three main phases:

Schematic Design: We start by discussing your goals and budget, then create initial sketches and concepts to establish the overall design direction.

Design Development: We refine the approved concept, developing more detailed drawings like elevations and sections to finalize the design.

Construction Documents: We create the final, detailed set of technical drawings that will be used for permitting and construction.

Our process begins with a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your project. Following that, we use a flexible, phased approach to our fees. The initial design and feasibility phase, which includes any required site assessment and survey work, is billed at an hourly rate. The total fee for this first phase is determined based on your specific job requirements and is agreed upon before any work begins. Once the project scope is clearly defined, we provide a fixed fee for the subsequent design phases, giving you cost certainty for the bulk of the project.

Every project is unique, and the final design fee will depend on the size, complexity, and specific requirements of your project. However, the following ranges can serve as a general guideline for what to expect for design services in the Upstate market:

New Construction: Design fees for a complete set of construction documents for a new custom home typically range from $1.00 - $3.00 per square foot of heated space.

Alterations & Additions: For a significant addition (e.g., a primary suite or large family room), design fees often fall between $1,000 and $4,000+, depending heavily on the complexity of tying into the existing structure.

Renovations & Remodels: Whole-house renovations and remodel design package typically ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.

These are estimates for design services only and do not include the cost of engineering, permitting, or construction. The final fee for your project may be more or less than these ranges depending on the specific scope and complexity.

No, you don't. In fact, it's often best to start with the design process first. Having a complete set of drawings allows you to get more accurate and comparable bids from multiple contractors. If you don't have a builder in mind, we are happy to recommend several trusted, high-quality contractors in the Upstate area that we have worked with.

The most important thing to bring is your vision! We encourage you to gather inspiration photos (from websites like Houzz or Pinterest), a list of your needs and wants for the space, and a general idea of your desired budget and timeline. If you have a property survey or existing drawings of your home, those are also very helpful.