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Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.

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El Cerrito / 50 mi
Architects & Building Designers
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6,971 Professionals

Featured Reviews for Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.

Molinar Home Designs, Inc.
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars4 May 2016
“We worked with Mark to design our new home. He spent the time with us to understand what we wanted. He incorporated our needs and requirements into various plan options and provided us with information on costs, pros and cons, etc. We had a very complicated project - Mark took the initiative to lead us through the planning a design process, acting at times as a project manager and presenting the plan to the city, other engineers and representing us when needed. He was very easy to work with and very professional. Building a custom home has significant challenges - Mark's help was instrumental in getting the project completed on time.”
Lorin Hill, Architect
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars12 August 2014
“We were terrified to finally remodel. Now we're halfway through the job, and I'm wondering how it could possibly be going so well? The answer: Lorin Hill, Architect, and his team. Ours is not a small job - we've excavated a basement; moved the kitchen, downstairs powder room, laundry room (which went from 1st to 2nd floor); and moved a lot of walls and reconfigured closets to dramatically improve our space. We didn't know where to bookend the project, and could see endless options for how to improve our home. We interviewed multiple architects - familiar names that had signs up on the best streets. It was immediately clear that Lorin was the architect for us - he took in the important character of the home (and setting/land, neighboring homes, and street), he saw how we could shape the project to make the most of our resources and opportunities, and his communication style was unmatched by larger and smaller specialty firms alike. He's insightful, funny, has decades of experience in his craft, and (this is where Lorin really hits it out of the park) his design eye is so excellent that he is saving us from hiring a host of other professionals to make our finished result truly sing. In some ways I'd love to keep Lorin Hill our little secret - I can count on only one hand the service providers that so exceed my expectations that their fees don't seem high enough for what they provide (note the design comment above, and he's smoothed enough husband/wife remodel debates - helping us each see logic - that we'll happily enjoy our home for years to come, marriage intact). If you're lucky enough to find Lorin Hill with a space in his schedule that fits your project, grab it. If we ever win the lottery and have unlimited funds, we'll be back to take up all the rest of Lorin's time.”
Lampert Dias Architects, Inc.
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars15 July 2013
“My wife Candace and I hired Christine and Carolyn in 2006 to help build our San Clemente Cooking School. While the school was only in existence for 1 year, Lampert Dias Architects help up construct one of the most beautiful cooking schools ever built! To take a look, visit YOU TUBE and input San Clemente Cooking School Wine Pairing Dinner! Thank you Christine and Carolyn for a job well done, on time, and on budget! Best to you, Jim and Candace Eckel”
HEYDT DESIGNS
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars21 September 2012
“Leigha Heydt was our second architect hired for our project. The first didn't work out due to lack of understanding each others goals and budget. Leigha was a breath of fresh air in every way. She took out the intimidation factor in our first remodel experience. We immediately loved her straight forward honest approach and her knowledge of building a home (she has contractor experience). She was quick at assesing our needs and got straight to work on our plans. The plans were extremely professional with meticulous details that made every process after (finding contractors, engineers, etc and getting town approval) a breeze. Leigha understood us and always steered us in a realistic direction to keep to our goal. She has a very keen eye for use of space and pleasing design... that is timeless and functional. I can not say enough about Leigha, she is very talented, a great architect. Our entire house was dated with a small, closed in kitchen and no master bedroom. Our house is absolutely fantastic now with an open big kitchen, amazing master suite and a beautiful flow throughout. We chose a more modern style that is very family friendly. Leigha was right there with every resource - websites, places to find every last detail needed in our home. Again, I can't say enough- she's an amazing architect and communicator, she's thorough, always on time, wealth of resources and the calm in what could be an overwhelming experience. She's the best!”
FoxLin Architects
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars2 December 2013
“My husband and I worked with FoxLin Architects on our custom ground up home in Carlsbad (north of San Diego), California and we would very highly recommend them. The home is now complete and it is remarkable down to the last detail. We felt like our values were always considered and we had countless conversations about even the smallest of details from paint colors to the cabinetry handles. At times we questioned the proposals and in the end we could see and now can understand their vision. Juintow and Michael are both very talented, innovated and experienced architects, designers, and project managers who can easily show many iterations on the computer as well as obtain countless physical samples of tiles, stain samples etc. This level of personal dedication and attention to detail is what constantly put us at ease on the design of our new home. 
 The bottom line is that we count on them for envisioning designs and that is also what set them apart from others. It is also worth mention that they were always grounded enough to understand our budget and make not only beautiful, but also realistic proposals. Again, we are highly recommending FoxLin Architects to anyone who wants a bit more than norm.”
Koch Architects
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars29 January 2014
“I just completed a complete remodel of my San Francisco Edwardian flat and build out my basement. Joanne and her staff did a fantastic job. It started out as a kitchen bath remodel, but once the design process started expanded to include every room as we discussed how different spaces would be used and what I didn't like about the current space after living with it for 20yrs. Might as well do it right! Joanne's attention to detail, listening, and high ethical standards are unmatched. She would listen in the meetings and ask questions then come back with some ideas and sketches to get my reaction. She knew what I wanted without me even knowing it. She was also sensitive to the project budget which was important. I was able to complete the project within my budget. She was also key to working with the general contractor. She brought with her experience in projects of my scope / scale and working with different contractors and even her own remodel. This helped immensely. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Koch Architects again.”
Frank Pitman Designs
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars26 November 2012
“I have known and conducted business with Frank since 2006. He has always provided quality service and kept his obligations up to date for all the printing and graphics I have provided to him. I have since retired but would recommend Mr. Pitman at any time.”
Saikley Architects
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars20 May 2015
“We worked with Alexandra for a rebuild of our home, upgrading it from a 3bd/1.5 bath to a 4bd/3.5bath while adding a second floor and changing the layout of the house dramatically. We chose Alexandra based on two critical expectations: that she would be good to work with (after all, you spend countless hours with your architect on a very expensive project), and that she would share our philosophy regarding the importance of combining form and function in house design. We were very lucky to have chosen her. Alexandra indeed spent countless hours with us. She paid careful attention to our wishes and needs. She worked patiently through every detail of the house, helping us maximize not only our living space but also important functional aspects of the house. From beautifully located and proportioned stairs to storage for kids backpacks under an entryway bench and built-in cabinets to roof segments and their slopes, everything was thoughtful, detailed, and practical. Alexandra also showed great professional and personal skill in navigating the permitting process, developing a good relationship with the city’s planning department that allowed us to enjoy all the benefits of the zoning code. She was always ready to help and mediate successfully when issues inevitably came up with our contractor. She followed through with everything she said she would in an even, friendly, and professional manner. We are delighted with our home and, truth be told, also take joy in the many compliments we get from anybody who visits our home or even passes by it. Alexandra was wonderful and we can’t recommend her highly enough.”
Gayler Design Build
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars21 February 2014
“I was brought in as a color consultant on a master bedroom addition project for Gayler Construction. From my first interaction with their manager, Darlene Gayler, I was impressed by the professionalism of the office staff, by their attention to detail, and very clear approach and process to every project. They have high expectations of every participant on a project, have systems in place to ensure tracking and clarity from both the provider and client side. Very few contractors offer a 5 year warranty on their work: Gayler Construction delivers expertise every client can count on.”
Marc Newman Architect
Architects & Building Designers in El Cerrito.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars14 March 2021
“Excellent clear and honest communication. I look forward to working with Marc in the future. I would highly recommend Marc to anyone.”
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Why Hire Architects & Building Designers on Houzz?
6,971Local Pros on Houzz Who Serve El Cerrito, CA
10,000+Total Number of Reviews Left by Homeowners
It is often said when you're building a house, you’re building a dream. An architect or master of building design can make your dream house a reality. Architects can help you design and redesign spaces of your home or focus on helping you build your own house from the ground up. Architectural firms have extensive knowledge of architectural design and building materials, and a strong appreciation of ergonomics – warmth, light, and flow within a property. As you search through architects and building designers in El Cerrito, CA, keep in mind the following tips to help you choose the perfect one:

How do I find the best El Cerrito, CA architect for my home design or renovation project?


When building or renovating your home, you don't simply hire an architect or building designer — you build a relationship with them. Be sure you chose a home architect who will be involved in all phases of the design process, from the initial concept to the completed construction. Architecture is an incredibly technical profession and one where getting things wrong can literally put lives at risk, so ensure you hire a professional with a valid license or an architectural firm to maintain high quality and standards. Your next consideration will be architectural style. Some residential architects specialise in designing traditional homes or farmhouses, others in designing modern replicas of traditional homes. While a few have a knack for imagining bolder, more futuristic architectural design in El Cerrito, CA that incorporates the latest technology.

Once you have frozen on the architect or building designer, chat through your goals, projected budget, scope of work, schedule and any other specific requirements you might have. Ask them to walk you through the process, including the number of architectural design consultations, site visits and what they will be delivering and when, e.g. feasibility study, a technical drawing, tender package and/or planning application drawings. Also, get a sense of whether they are a good listener, collaborator, and problem solver. Finally, be sure to find out what the architect needs from you,deeds, rights of way, deposit, staged payments and so on.

How much does hiring an architect in El Cerrito, CA cost?


Home construction and renovation often have a preset budget and hence it is important to understand how much architects charge. While there is no set payment structure, independent architects may charge differently from architectural firms. Architects sometimes choose to calculate their fees on the basis of a per square foot rate. In rare cases, especially with smaller projects, El Cerrito, CA architects may choose to ask their clients for a fixed fee. Make sure the total figure and payment schedule is agreed as part of your contract, particularly if you are trying to accurately estimate the cost of building a house.


Questions to ask prospective El Cerrito, CA architects:


  • What types of renderings (3D, video, illustrative) will you produce?
  • Who will be working on my project? (This is very important if you hire an architectural firm)
  • What is your fee structure?
  • What does the cost include?
  • Can you handle my special requests?
  • What is your experience with similar projects/ architectural design and style?
  • When do you expect to start and be finished with the project?
  • What do your services include? (It's best that the services are until construction is completed.)
  • What happens when the cost exceeds the budget?
  • Can you provide me with references?
  • Would you say your work has a defining style? (This is important in case the architect's personal style will interfere with your vision.)
  • Will you help with hiring a general contractor and other subcontractors?
  • What do you estimate the cost will be?
  • Are there any complications you foresee with this project?
  • What will I need to provide?

Find a home architect in El Cerrito, CA on Houzz. Narrow your search in the Find Pros section of the website to El Cerrito, CA architects. You may also look through photos projects to find building designers in El Cerrito, CA who have worked on a project similar to yours.

Be sure to reach out to multiple professionals, especially for larger projects and don't settle for the first bid you hear. Find the professional for your next project on Houzz.