N° 002 — Custom design studio

Built only for you.Drawn with care.

Every site is different. Every family is different. Our in-house design team draws custom plans from the first napkin sketch to the final construction documents — honoring your site, your light, and the way you actually want to live.

How it works →
The Gillette barndominium at dusk, designed by Advanced House Plans
No. 002 — Custom Studio
The Process

From first conversation to final plans.

Four phases. No surprises. You'll know what we're doing, when we're doing it, and what comes next — from the first conversation to the moment the final set is in your builder's hands.

Phase 01 · Contract

Where your ideas meet paper.

A conversation with your designer — first about you, then about the land, then about how you want to live. From that conversation we shape a written scope you can hold in your hand.

  • 01Sit down with your designer and share every idea — nothing is too small
  • 02We draft a contract for your review and sign-off
  • 03Pay your deposit so we can get started (if applicable)

Phase 02 · Prelim

Your home, in concept form.

The first full look — floor plans and exterior elevations you can walk through in your head. Nothing is locked. This is the phase where the design breathes and responds to what you see.

  • 01You receive the first concept plans and elevations
  • 02Walk the designs with your designer, mark them up freely
  • 03We confirm the plan fits your build site

Phase 03 · Design

Where the details settle in.

The plan tightens. Dimensions, stairs, structural details, window lines — every decision gets the attention it deserves. This is your last round of changes before the plans go to construction documents.

  • 01Near-final plans arrive for one thorough review
  • 02Final walkthrough with your designer, any last adjustments
  • 03After this review, the design is locked

Phase 04 · Construction

Ready to build.

The finished construction document set — stamped, detailed, and built to hand to any reputable builder. If you added 3D renderings, they're produced here so you can see the home before a shovel hits the ground.

  • 01Final payment clears before finalized plans are released
  • 02You receive the complete construction document set
  • 033D renderings (if purchased) are produced in this phase
N° 003 — The Plan Set

What's in the set.

Every set is a complete, construction-ready package — detailed, and designed to hand straight to your contractor.

Sample Cover Sheet

N° 01 — Sheet

Cover Sheet

Front elevation rendering with typical notes and project specifications.

N° 01 / 07
Questions, answered

What people usually ask.

Q · 01

How long does a typical custom project take?

Most custom projects run three to six months from first conversation to final construction documents — faster for straightforward homes, longer for larger or more intricate designs. We'll give you a realistic timeline in the Contract phase.

Q · 02

What does a custom design typically cost?

Custom plans start around $6,400 and scale with the size and complexity of the home. We give you a fixed scope and price in the Contract phase so there are no surprises.

Q · 03

Do I need to know everything before I start?

Not at all. Bring what you have — a Pinterest board, a napkin sketch, a rough idea of how you want to live — and we'll shape the rest together. Most clients come in with more questions than answers, and that's the right place to start.

Q · 04

Can you work with my builder?

Yes. Our construction document sets are built to hand to any licensed builder. If you don't have one yet, we're happy to suggest builders in your area who we've worked with before.

Q · 05

What if I change my mind mid-project?

The Prelim and Design phases are built for exactly that. Changes are expected and welcomed during those phases — that's the whole point. After the final design review, changes require a change order so we can keep things clean.

Q · 06

Do you handle structural engineering and permits?

We can include stamped structural engineering as part of your package, sealed by a locally-licensed engineer for your jurisdiction. Permitting is handled by you or your builder — we make sure the drawings meet the standards reviewers are looking for.

Begin your project

Nine quiet questions,
a home in the making.

A short, guided intake — stories, style, size, lot, features — and anything else you'd like us to know. Takes about four minutes. Lands directly with a designer.

No account required · emails designer directly