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Fred Loucks is CEO of Dunn & Stone Builders. He joined the company in 2010 and purchased it in 2019. He has guided plan design and client goals into buildable homes for more than a decade. Dunn & Stone Builders has built more than 1,000 homes across Greater Houston since 1999.
Architects typically charge 8% to 15% of construction costs for full-service residential projects, or $100 to $250 per hour for hourly work. The average cost to hire an architect ranges from $5,000 to $60,000 depending on project scope, with basic plans starting around $2,000. For remodels, fees often rise to 10%–20% of construction costs due to added complexity of existing structures.
In the Greater Houston area, residential fees often cluster around 8–12% or $150–$250 hourly. On a $500,000 build, that can mean $30,000 to $60,000 in architect fees. Location, project complexity, and the level of service you choose drive most of the difference.
In more than 25 years building custom homes across the Greater Houston area, Dunn & Stone Builders has seen how these fees fit into the total project. Having completed over 1,000 homes in communities from Conroe and Lake Conroe to Magnolia, Pinehurst, Tomball, The Woodlands, and Cypress, the company helps clients decide when a full architect is needed and when an in-house design approach works better.
An architect takes your vision and turns it into detailed, code-compliant construction documents that builders can execute.
Residential architects design homes from scratch or remodel existing ones. In more than 25 years building across the Greater Houston area, Dunn & Stone Builders has seen how their site analysis prevents problems on real lots. Architects evaluate topography, geology, vegetation, soil quality and stability, climate, and orientation. For Houston-area properties, this includes flood maps, drainage, and prevailing winds that affect comfort and long-term costs.
For remodeling projects, architects thoroughly document the home’s existing features. This means locating electrical, HVAC, and structural elements before any work begins. The resulting drawings support accurate permits and keep construction cost estimates realistic.
Architects produce full construction documents and building plans, select materials and finishes, and often negotiate with contractors. During construction administration, they perform site visits, review invoices, and help manage the process so the finished home matches the design.
Yes, architects handle building permits for both new construction and remodels. Their understanding of drawings, codes, and cost estimates makes them well-equipped for this step. From experience navigating Harris and Montgomery County permit offices and local codes, this expertise is especially valuable on complex or waterfront sites. Dunn & Stone’s permitting and preconstruction process helps clients understand these local requirements early.
Architects typically charge 8% to 15% of construction costs for full-service residential projects, or $100 to $250 per hour for hourly work, according to guidance from the American Institute of Architects. The average cost to hire an architect ranges from $5,000 to $60,000 depending on project scope, with basic plans starting around $2,000. For remodels, fees often rise to 10%–20% of construction costs due to added complexity of existing structures. In the Greater Houston area, residential fees often cluster around 8–12% or $150–$250 hourly.
This is the most common structure for full-service work on new custom homes. Fees usually range from 8% to 15% of the total construction cost. For remodels, the range often climbs to 10% to 20% because of the complexity of working with existing conditions.
In the Houston market, residential architect fees average about 9.4% according to ProMatcher data. Across Texas, the broader range is 6% to 12%. On a home with construction costs of $500,000 (common for a 2,000–2,500 sq ft home at Dunn & Stone’s typical $150–$300 per square foot range), that works out to $40,000–$75,000.
Hourly billing is common for consultations, feasibility studies, or smaller scopes. Rates typically run $100 to $250 per hour nationally. Principals often charge $150 to $250. In Texas, averages sit around $175 to $225. Houston firms may reach $150 to $300 depending on experience and overhead.
From Dunn & Stone’s experience, hourly can work well for limited involvement, such as reviewing plans or handling a specific permit issue.
Many architects offer fixed fees for clearly defined work, such as schematic design or construction documents only. Basic plans often range from $2,000 to $20,000. Full-service fixed fees can run $15,000 to $80,000 or more. In Houston, fixed fees for additions or remodels frequently fall between $10,000 and $50,000.
Some firms charge $2 to $15 per square foot of the designed space. Houston data sometimes shows around $1.75 to $2.50 for larger projects. This model is less common for full-service custom work.
For a new custom home, expect 8–15% of construction or $15,000–$80,000+. In the Greater Houston area where Dunn & Stone builds, a typical 2,500 sq ft home at $200 per square foot means $500,000 construction and $40,000–$75,000 in full architect fees.
For remodels or additions, percentages are higher and totals vary widely with scope. Plans-only work can stay in the $2,000–$20,000 range.
Local market data shows Texas hourly rates of $175–$225 and percentage fees of 6–12%. Houston residential sits near 9.4%. For standard jobs in Conroe, some reports show lower per-job figures of $1,700–$2,500 for limited services, while full custom remains percentage-based.
In work across the 60-mile radius from Pinehurst, Dunn & Stone sees these costs interact with total build budgets of $150–$300 per square foot. You can learn more about those numbers in the guide on understanding your cost or run your own estimates with the free cost to build a house calculator.
Several factors drive the final number. Project complexity is the biggest. A simple rectangular plan on a flat lot costs less than a multi-level home on a sloping Lake Conroe waterfront site with flood considerations.
Service level matters. Plans-only is cheaper than full construction administration. Location affects rates—Houston and major metros run higher than rural Texas. Architect experience and firm size also play a role. Larger or highly specialized firms charge more.
In the Greater Houston market, local code requirements, soil conditions, and HOA or deed restrictions can add time and cost. These are among the many variables that appear in the hidden costs of building a house.
Most architects start with a retainer. Typical ranges are $2,500 to $4,000, though larger projects can require more. After that, billing is often monthly or by phase.
Following AIA standards, fees break down across phases: schematic design, design development, construction documents (often the largest portion), bidding/negotiation, and construction administration. You pay as work progresses. Discuss what happens if the project stops so you retain rights to the drawings.
From Dunn & Stone’s experience managing fixed-price builds, clarity on payment timing helps keep the overall budget predictable.
Not every project requires a full architect. If you have a clear vision and a builder who can modify proven plans, you may not need one.
Dunn & Stone Builders has completed more than 1,000 homes across Greater Houston over 25+ years. The company starts with refined floor plans developed over decades. Its in-house design team and design center modify those plans to fit the lot, family needs, and budget.
Dunn & Stone handles homesite evaluation, plan adjustments, and coordination under a fixed contract price. This approach works well for the majority of custom and semi-custom homes the company builds in Conroe, Magnolia, The Woodlands, and surrounding communities. Learn more about how Dunn & Stone builds on your lot.
You may still need an architect for highly unique designs, complex structural changes, historical properties, or sites with unusual constraints that go beyond standard plan modifications. Local building departments sometimes require stamped architectural drawings for certain projects.
The decision comes down to complexity and how involved you want to be. If you need more than a few of the full services listed earlier, an architect becomes valuable. Otherwise, a builder with strong design capabilities can deliver excellent results at a more predictable cost. For guidance on selecting the right partner, see the article on how to choose a home builder in Houston.
Architect fees are a real investment. On a $500,000 construction budget, 10% is $50,000. That money buys expertise that can reduce change orders, improve efficiency, and protect resale value.
If full service stretches your budget, limited engagement for plans or key reviews is an option. In the Houston area, many homeowners pair a builder’s design services with selective architect input.
Dunn & Stone structures its builds with fixed pricing from the start so the total investment stays clear. The company’s typical construction costs of $150–$300 per square foot already account for quality materials and local conditions. Adding architect fees on top requires careful planning, which is why the full picture is discussed during the free consultation. You can also use the cost to build a house calculator to model different scenarios.
Architects typically charge $100 to $250 per hour. In Texas the average runs $175 to $225, with Houston rates often $150 to $300 for experienced principals.
Full-service fees usually range from 8% to 15% for new construction and 10% to 20% for remodels, consistent with AIA guidance. Houston residential averages about 9.4%.
Basic plans often cost $2,000 to $20,000. More detailed construction documents push higher, especially for complex custom homes.
Remodel fees frequently run 10% to 20% of construction costs or a fixed fee based on scope. Existing conditions add complexity and cost.
Not always. Many custom homes in the Greater Houston area are successfully built by modifying proven plans through a builder’s design team. An architect becomes more important for highly unique designs or challenging sites.
Most require a retainer of $2,500 to $4,000 or more, then bill monthly or by design phase. Discuss ownership of drawings if the project pauses.
For complex or highly personalized projects, yes. The expertise can prevent costly mistakes. For many semi-custom builds, a skilled builder’s in-house design process delivers strong results at a more predictable total cost.
At Dunn & Stone Builders, we have spent more than 25 years helping families build on their own lots across the Greater Houston area. The company starts with proven floor plans, modifies them through its in-house design team and design center, and locks in a fixed contract price so you know the cost from day one.
Dunn & Stone’s construction costs typically range from $150 to $300 per square foot. The company handles the process from homesite evaluation through move-in, including financing guidance and a full warranty. If a project needs full architectural services, Dunn & Stone can help coordinate. In most cases, this approach gives clients a personalized home without the variable percentage fees of a full-service architect.
You can explore the work as custom home builders in Houston, see the communities where we build, or review the full process for building on your lot.
Schedule a free consultation to talk through your lot, vision, and budget. Dunn & Stone will show you how the numbers work in the Conroe, Magnolia, Lake Conroe, and surrounding markets the company knows best.
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