We are looking to build a custom home in BCS. Anybody have architect/house designer recommendations?

Charlie or Eva at Arkitex. Designed my house in '03. Best money I spent on the home. Still wouldn't change a thing. Their portfolio is Incredible and diverse.

Kipp Kissinger

Second Charlie Burris at Arkitex

We used Kipp as well

Nathan Winchester

www.winchester-designs.com

My word of advice.... Investigate how they price their services. Are you paying per SF (usually higher for finished, lower for utility/non conditioned space) or a % of project cost? Can make a big difference and to me one incentivizes higher construction cost than the other. I am sure there are good arguments for both styles of compensation.....

Another for Kipp. Good guy who does excellent work for a fair price.

EBrazosAg said:

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My word of advice.... Investigate how they price their services. Are you paying per SF (usually higher for finished, lower for utility/non conditioned space) or a % of project cost? Can make a big difference and to me one incentivizes higher construction cost than the other. I am sure there are good arguments for both styles of compensation.....

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I would expect pricing on an hourly basis (depending on lead architect, PM, drafter, etc.) to reflect the actual effort to create the plans, with total compensation generally reflective of a percentage of construction costs (to establish a reasonable overall price). Then again, I'm looking at it from an engineer's mindset.


Kipp was the designer of our house that we're having custom-built. I think he's good for subdivision homes with similar floorplans as to what he's done before (we wound up with a very similar house to one of the examples I was given -- with more tweaks than anything else; I also never really got the plans to show exactly what I wanted -- but again, I'm looking at it from an engineer's standpoint). I think the house will be perfect for our needs and for what it is.
That said, if I had a more special lot on acreage, I'd definitely look towards an architect that would come out to the site and design around enhancing the features of the lot. I've seen Kirby Fleming's work in person and through his postings online -- and he'd be the first call I'd make if I had a healthy budget and wanted a premium feel for my place.

EBrazosAg said:

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My word of advice.... Investigate how they price their services. Are you paying per SF (usually higher for finished, lower for utility/non conditioned space) or a % of project cost? Can make a big difference and to me one incentivizes higher construction cost than the other. I am sure there are good arguments for both styles of compensation.....

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Second that.

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