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Costs, Fees and Budgets

What architects charge, how fee structures work and how to build a realistic project budget in the Seattle market.

Guides

Flagstone entry courtyard with pruned pines leading to wood French doors and glass entry hall
Costs, Fees and Budgets

What a building permit costs in Seattle for a major remodel

What a Seattle building permit costs on a $750,000 remodel: the 2026 SDCI fee table worked step by step, the extra reviews, and how Eastside cities differ.

David Meade · October 7, 2026
Living room with wood-clad see-through fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake
Costs, Fees and Budgets

Planning a million dollar remodel in Seattle and on the Eastside

Planning a $750,000 to $2M+ remodel in Seattle or on the Eastside? What the money buys per sq ft, where it goes, fees, timeline and leveling bids.

David Meade · October 1, 2026
David Meade, AIA NCARB, Principal Architect at Piper Cole Architects in Kirkland, WA
Costs, Fees and Budgets

How do I finance a custom home build in Seattle or on the Eastside?

How construction-to-permanent loans, draws and land equity work, and what a lender needs from the design side before it will fund a custom home in Washington.

David Meade · September 26, 2026
Residential architecture project by Piper Cole Architects, Seattle Eastside WA
Costs, Fees and Budgets

How Architects Get Paid in Seattle: A Homeowner’s Guide to Fees and Billing

How do architects actually get paid? Retainers, milestone billing, hourly invoices, and reimbursables explained for Seattle-area homeowners.

David Meade · May 30, 2026
Residential architecture project by Piper Cole Architects, Seattle Eastside WA
Costs, Fees and Budgets

How to Budget for an Architect in Seattle: A Complete Guide for Homeowners

Complete guide to budgeting for architect fees in Seattle. Percentage, fixed, and hourly fee structures explained with real numbers and a full cost.

David Meade · May 29, 2026
David Meade, AIA NCARB, Principal Architect at Piper Cole Architects in Kirkland, WA
Costs, Fees and Budgets

What an Architect Costs in Seattle in 2026

What a Seattle architect really charges in 2026, with real Eastside project fees and a calculator that gives you your own number. Call David on 425 753 6452.

David Meade · May 25, 2026
Cedar and glass house at dusk, designed by Piper Cole Architects

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