Costs depend on the size and type of project—ADU, remodel, mid-tier home, or luxury residence—as well as location, materials, and complexity. As a rule of thumb, owners should budget 10–20% of the total construction cost for design fees, which include design, engineering, expediting, and permitting. Smaller projects tend to have a higher percentage of design costs due to fixed overhead.

At ATELIER X DESIGN, our residential design fees vary depending on the size, complexity, schedule, and specific needs of your project. We use a Super Parallel design approach to streamline the design, permitting, and construction phases, delivering exceptional value. Whether it’s a 3-month ADU or a 25,000-square-foot luxury home, we pride ourselves on high-touch service and commitment to our clients.

Timelines depend on the project’s scope. ADUs can take as little as 3 months for design/permitting and typically 4–5 months for construction. Remodels and mid-tier homes vary widely based on scale and site conditions, contractor quality, while luxury homes may take 18 months to several years.

With the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, these timelines may need to be adjusted to account for increased permitting time, material, labor, and potential tariff costs. Proactive planning with LADWP (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), architectural review, and HOA design review, and other local agencies can help avoid unnecessary delays.

While it is painful to see our city devastated by these fires, we remain committed to helping our neighbors rebuild their dream homes with resilience and care. On a recent ADU project in Los Angeles, we received permit approval in just 3 weeks, thanks to our detailed drawings and proactive planning. This reflects our dedication to minimizing delays and supporting clients through every step of the process.

Designers create the vision and detailed plans, while builders execute those plans through construction. At ATELIER X DESIGN, our drawings are intentionally detailed and coordinated, leveraging decades of experience to reduce permitting and construction time.

Remodeling projects often cost more on a per-square-foot basis due to contractors working around existing or unknown conditions. Our proactive planning and detailed approach helps mitigate these challenges, saving time and reducing unexpected costs.

Choosing the right design professional starts with understanding your design aspirations, lifestyle, and budget. Finding the right balance will help you select the best type of firm for your dream home project. Firms can generally be categorized into three types:

• Efficiency-Based Firms: Focus on delivering projects quickly and cost-effectively with standardized designs, often relying heavily on junior staff under limited senior oversight.

• Experience-Based Firms: Balance efficiency and expertise with a mix of senior and junior staff, offering flexibility for projects requiring creativity without high complexity.

• Expertise-Based Firms: Known for exceptional talent and niche expertise, these firms excel in tailored, high-quality designs led by senior staff for complex, bespoke projects.

ATELIER X DESIGN combines the versatility of experience-based firms with the deep knowledge of expertise-based firms. Our founders bring decades of experience with celebrated architects and interior designers, shaping extraordinary projects for discerning clients. Every project is approached with the care of an expertise-based firm, backed by proven know-how to create immense value.

When researching and choosing a design professional:

• Prioritize Mindset Alignment: Work with someone who listens, communicates effectively, and shares your vision. Building a home is a long-term collaboration, so trust and compatibility are essential.

• Evaluate Style and Experience: Review portfolios to confirm their design style resonates with you and verify they have relevant experience.

• Check References: Talk to past clients and builders about their experience working with the designer. Ask about communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.

• Pro Tip: Ask newer design firms about work they completed before starting their practice. Many bring valuable experience from shaping exceptional projects at larger firms, offering incredible value.

We provide full-service design, from concept development to construction coordination. This includes material and finish selection, detailed drawings, permitting, and post-completion follow-up. Our detailed approach focuses on addressing every project—whether a modest ADU or a 25,000-square-foot estate—with care and precision.

Absolutely! Whether you’re building an ADU or a luxury home, your involvement is essential. Our design process encourages hands-on collaboration to reflect your goals and vision. We use tools like 3D test fits, 3D interactive walk throughs, and physical material samples to help clients visualize options and make informed decisions.

We align designs with your vision through clear communication, iterative reviews, and advanced tools like 3D modeling. Our Super Parallel design process focuses on developing custom details early, even as we refine the overall design, allowing for seamless integration of aesthetics and functionality.

We have a robust client review and approval process, backed by decades of residential experience. Our ideas—whether on room sizes, closets, functionality, privacy, resale, event planning, or other key considerations—have been battle-tested many times over. In addition to creating beautiful forms and spaces, we are equally focused on getting the details right, from heating and cooling systems that are easy to maintain and access to thoughtful, functional solutions for everyday living.

Common challenges include rising material costs, permitting delays, and addressing unexpected conditions during remodeling. For high-end or unique sites, additional complexities arise from environmental factors like coastal exposure, flood plains, hillside grading, wildfire risk, or existing structural issues.

With the recent wildfires, we anticipate unparalleled delays in the permitting process and project timelines. LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety) is already understaffed and will need time to handle the influx of permit applications. To mitigate these delays, we collaborate with multiple excellent expediters and have in-house expediters to assist our clients in streamlining the permit application process.

Our team also has extensive experience with resilient design practices for luxury homes in challenging environments, including wildfire-prone areas, mudslides, hurricane-prone areas, alpine environments, seamlessly blending homes into forests, lightning strike resilience, and avalanche zones. We translate these best practices to every project, from modest ADUs to large-scale custom homes.

We guide you in choosing materials that fit your style, budget, and needs—whether it’s durable finishes for an ADU, timeless elements for a remodel, or premium materials for a luxury home. Using 3D modeling and physical samples, we help visualize materials that are visually appealing, practical, and suited to the environment. For challenging sites, we recommend robust and fire-resistant materials to enhance durability and safety.

Yes. Safety, resilience, and sustainability are core to our design philosophy. We integrate energy-efficient systems, fire-resistant materials, and smart layouts into every project.

Many of the homes we’ve had the privilege of shaping include open and closed-loop geothermal systems, solar energy solutions, and thermal mass walls for improved energy efficiency. We’ve also incorporated cross ventilation for natural cooling, breakaway construction for flood zones, and were pioneers in using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) technology for residential projects in the United States.

Our office embodies these principles by following Passivhaus construction practices, fully powered by the sun. The roof features Tesla solar tiles, which are highly temperature and impact resistant, and the building includes functional attic spaces that greatly reduce heating and cooling costs. All exterior materials are non-combustible, reflecting our commitment to creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also safe, resilient, carbon-neutral, and sustainable.