Most people think about their budget in terms of construction cost. But a complete project also involves design, engineering, permits, financing, furnishings, and contingency — each with its own set of decisions. This tool helps you see the whole picture before you commit to anything.
Step 1 of 5
What are you trying to do?
Select the option that best fits your project.
🏠
Build new
New home or structure from the ground up
➕
Add on
Expand your existing space
🔧
Renovate
Remodel or reconfigure existing space
🏢
Commercial
Office, retail, or mixed-use
Step 2 of 5
What is your total available budget?
Include everything you're willing to invest in design, construction, permits, financing, furnishings, and a cushion for surprises. We'll show you how it might realistically be allocated.
$
Round to the nearest $25k — this is a planning tool, not a contract.
Step 3 of 5
What level of design and finish are you aiming for?
Be honest — there's no wrong answer. This shapes how much design effort your project requires, and therefore how fees are calculated.
Functional and no-fuss
Practical layout, standard finishes. Gets the job done well.
Thoughtful on a budget
Smart choices within constraints, with selective upgrades where they count.
Custom and well-crafted
Fully custom design with mid-grade materials, tailored to how you live.
Luxury materials, maximum customization, publication-worthy.
Step 4 of 5
How much support do you need?
Choose the description that best fits your situation. There's no right answer — it depends on where you are in the process and how involved you want your architect to be.
I need drawings to build fromFocused
I have a clear vision and possibly a contractor already. I need an architect to develop that vision into a permitted, buildable drawing set.
DesignDevelopmentConstruction documents
I need help finding the right directionGuided
I have goals and a budget but I'm not sure what's realistic. I want help thinking through possibilities before committing to a design path.
Pre-designDesignDevelopmentConstruction documents
I need help selecting and managing a contractorExtended
I want support through design and into construction — finding the right contractor and making sure what gets built matches what was designed.
Answer these based on how you expect to fund and furnish the project. If you know an amount, enter it; otherwise the calculator will use a planning estimate.
Will you need to borrow money to fund the project?
Yes
No
Known financing budget, if any
$
Do you need to budget for furnishings and decor?
Yes
No
Known furnishings and decor budget, if any
$
How your budget breaks down
Total estimated costs
Ready to talk through your project?
This is a planning tool, not a quote — and every project has its own story. The intro call is free: a real conversation about your vision, your budget, and what's genuinely possible.
All figures are planning estimates based on typical project assumptions and regional averages. Actual costs depend on site conditions, local market pricing, regulatory requirements, and project-specific decisions. This tool is intended to help you enter the design process with realistic expectations — not to substitute for professional cost estimating or financial advice.