Lake Stevens Design

01/08/2025

11/16/2021

Architect, Engineer or Residential Designer, what's the Difference?

Architects and Engineers are Licensed by the State of Washington! A Residential Designer, who can design Homes, Shops, ADU's and remodels up to 4000 sq. ft. is not. With the help of a Licensed Engineer, a Residential Designer, can design other projects. Architects today focus on large residential, multi family, commercial & Industrial Projects. Their work is usually more complete in Interior Design And Building Details. Residential Designers, focus on simple, less complicated project and are usually far less expensive in fees.

Few Architects or Engineers will actually obtain the building permits for you. Some Residential Designer, like Lake Stevens Design offer a complete, start to Permit Solution!

10/17/2021

While the price of almost everything is going up, Lumber is coming down! Lumber is the largest "Supply & Demand" Market. Because of increase Supply, prices are coming down. The big questions are, How Low will it go & how long will it stay down?

06/10/2021

Some people spend million on their house, so they don't want just any old Garage/Shop? I have design many shop to mimic the house. Folding them into the contour of the lot can be challenging. Hot Rod, Antique Cars, Boats, RV Trucks & even Airplanes people want a place for.
Washington is a wet place, it rains a lot, People need to get things in out of the water. They need Man Cave's, Craft shop, even exercise gyms. Self Storage is a big business. Prices for storage units keep going up. It's still rent, money you can never get back!
Homeowners are now looking to a Garage/shop as an "Investment" or addition to their home. Actually recouping the outlay, plus appreciation in many cases. This is now one of the requirements for a buyer in today's competitive Real Estate Listing Marketplace.

05/18/2021

Spring is officially here after the Income Tax filing deadline. All of a sudden(after tax filing) everyone wants to start building, but it takes 6-9 month(more in SeattlE0 to get a permit. WHY DO PEOPLE WAIT TILL SPRING TO START? I guess it's just human nature to wait till the spring to start thinking about outdoor chores? Well if you wait till after the 4th of July, you'll be ready for next year!