Guides
Hiring a waterfront home architect on Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish: what to check before you sign
Hiring a waterfront home architect on Lake Washington? Shoreline rules decide your design first. Free one-day feasibility check, fixed design fee.
David Meade · October 8, 2026
Whole house remodel architect in Bellevue, WA
Planning a $750,000+ remodel in Bellevue? Fixed-fee architect who knows the city’s remodel rules. Start with a free feasibility check, usually about a day.
David Meade · October 8, 2026Whole house remodel architect in Medina, Washington
Whole house remodel architect for Medina, WA homes from $750,000. Free one-day feasibility check, then a fixed design fee. Call David Meade.
David Meade · October 8, 2026
Whole house remodel architect on Mercer Island
Whole house remodel architect for Mercer Island owners with $750,000+ budgets. Free one-day feasibility check, then a fixed design and permit fee.
David Meade · October 8, 2026
Hiring a remodel architect in Redmond, Washington: what a whole house remodel takes here
Remodel architect for Redmond, Washington houses from $750,000. Free one-day feasibility check, fixed design fee, Redmond size cap and fees checked first.
David Meade · October 8, 2026Whole house remodel architect in Sammamish, on the Plateau and on Lake Sammamish
Whole house remodel architect for Sammamish owners from $750,000. Free one-day feasibility check, fixed design fee, lake and upland rules checked.
David Meade · October 8, 2026
Hiring a whole house remodel architect in Seattle
Hiring a whole house remodel architect in Seattle? Free one-day feasibility check, fixed design fee, and the 2026 Seattle rules for $750,000+ remodels.
David Meade · October 8, 2026
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, 2026Seattle stormwater code for a remodel or addition: what triggers it and what the permit set must show
How Seattle's 2026 stormwater code applies to a remodel, addition or rebuild: the 750 and 1,500 square foot lines and what permits must show.
David Meade · October 7, 2026Swimming pool permits in Seattle and on the Eastside: what a pool adds to a remodel permit
Pool permits in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Medina: the 2021 pool code, barriers, setbacks, hot tub covers and sequencing with a remodel.
David Meade · October 7, 2026What the Washington energy code asks of a remodel or an addition
How the 2021 Washington State Energy Code treats a remodel or addition: windows, insulation, ducts, energy credits, blower door tests, conversions, Seattle.
David Meade · October 7, 2026When a remodel counts as a new house: the Eastside thresholds, city by city
Each Eastside city draws the line between a remodel and a new house differently: dollars, percent of value, wall length or years. The tests, side by side.
David Meade · October 7, 2026Planning 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, 2026Rambler remodel in Seattle and on the Eastside: an architect’s guide to the big decisions
Planning a big rambler remodel in Seattle or the Eastside? An architect on opening the plan, vaulting, second stories, seismic, energy code and cost.
David Meade · October 1, 2026
Can you live in your house during a renovation? How I help Seattle and Eastside owners decide
Can you live in your house during a renovation? An architect's guide for Seattle and Eastside owners: scopes that force a move, phasing, lead, asbestos, cost.
David Meade · October 1, 2026
Split level remodel on the Eastside: an architect’s guide to the big moves, the code and the cost
Planning a major split level remodel in Bellevue, Kirkland, Sammamish or Issaquah? Entry and stair, open plan, raising the roof, lower level code, cost.
David Meade · October 1, 2026
Remodeling a waterfront home on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish or the Sound: what changes on the water
Remodeling a house on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish or the Sound? How shoreline rules, setbacks and a grandfathered footprint shape what you can change.
David Meade · October 1, 2026
Basement dig out in Seattle and on the Eastside: underpinning, house lifting, code and cost
Lowering a basement or turning a crawl space into living space in Seattle or the Eastside: underpinning vs lifting, ceiling height, egress, permits, costs.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Should I remodel my house or tear it down and rebuild?
Remodel at $300 to $550 a sq ft, add on at $350 to $650, or rebuild at $400 to $900? The code threshold that often decides it, and a scorecard for your house.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Kitchen remodel cost in Bellevue
Bellevue kitchens split into three tiers, from a $40k refresh to a $200k structural open plan. What decides which one you are in. Call David direct.
David Meade · September 17, 2026
Kitchen Renovation Architect in Seattle, WA
Do you need an architect for a kitchen renovation in Seattle? The honest answer depends on what you want to change. Find out here.
David Meade · July 2, 2026
Open Floor Plan & Load-Bearing Wall Removal in Seattle Homes
Removing a load-bearing wall in your Seattle home? Structural requirements, permit process, and realistic costs explained by Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · July 2, 2026
Whole House Remodel Cost in Bellevue, WA 2026
Whole-house remodel cost in Bellevue, WA (2026): real budget ranges and the factors that drive them, explained by licensed architects at Piper Cole.
David Meade · July 2, 2026
What a Whole House Remodel Costs Here
What an Eastside whole house remodel costs by depth, the code trigger that moves budgets six figures, and an estimator for your house. Call 425 753 6452.
David Meade · June 30, 2026
Home Remodel Architect in Kirkland, WA
Home remodel architect in Kirkland, WA for whole-house and structural renovations. Piper Cole Architects: architect-led, permit-ready plans.
David Meade · June 27, 2026
Moisture Management in Pacific Northwest Renovations
Moisture management in Pacific Northwest renovations: how to keep rain and rot out of your remodel. Architect guidance from Piper Cole, Kirkland WA.
David Meade · June 22, 2026Architect in Shoreline, WA: Mid-Century Renovation and ADU Design
Architecture services in Shoreline, WA. Mid-century modern renovation, ADU design, home additions, and new construction near the Shoreline Link station.
David Meade · June 1, 2026Historic Preservation Architecture in Seattle: Renovating Landmarked Buildings
Renovating a Seattle landmark? Certificate of Approval, design standards, historic districts, and finding a preservation-experienced architect.
David Meade · May 30, 2026Earthquake Retrofitting for Seattle Homes: What Older Houses Need
Seismic retrofitting guide for Seattle homeowners. Cripple wall bracing, anchor bolts, hillside bracing, and what major renovations trigger seismic.
David Meade · May 30, 2026Seattle Home Renovation Permit Checklist (2026): What Requires a Permit?
Does your Seattle renovation require a building permit? A comprehensive 2026 checklist of what does and does not require a permit under Seattle building.
David Meade · May 29, 2026
Home Renovation Cost in Seattle 2026: By Room and Scope
Realistic home renovation costs in Seattle by room and scope for 2026. Kitchen, bathroom, whole-home: what each level of renovation actually costs.
David Meade · May 27, 2026Historic Home Renovation in Seattle: Preserving Character While Modernizing
Renovating a historic Seattle home? Preserve character while modernizing systems, floor plans, and energy performance. free feasibility check.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Seattle: Renovating and Restoring MCM Homes
Renovating a mid-century modern home in Seattle? Northwest Contemporary MCM homes require specialized design knowledge. free feasibility check.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
Open Floor Plan Renovation: Transforming a Closed Layout in Your Seattle Home
Opening a closed floor plan in your Seattle home? Structural walls, beams, permits, and design considerations explained by Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
Standard Bathroom Sizes for Home Renovation: What Your Architect Needs You to Know
Standard bathroom sizes, clearances, and layout options for home renovation in Seattle. What your architect needs you to know before you design.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
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