New Residences
Shaping the Future
Building a New Home? Let’s Get the Design Right.
Custom New Home Design That Blends Your Vision with Our Expertise
Building a new home from scratch is a huge deal. It’s your chance to get exactly what you want, a space that truly works for you and your family. But it’s also a big undertaking. Our job is to make sure the first step—the design—is done right.
At The Design & Building Works, we specialize in custom new home designs (under 3 stories) that are both beautiful and practical. We’re not about designing monuments that are impossible to build or afford. We’re about creating real homes for real people in Santa Rosa.
Our approach is simple: we listen. We want to hear about how you live, what you love, and what drives you crazy about your current space. Then, we blend your vision with our expertise. With Ellen Picard’s background in architecture from France, we bring a level of design sophistication that’s hard to find. But we’re also grounded in the realities of construction and budgets, offering a smart, affordable alternative to a big architecture firm.
How We Work
Our Design Process:
Clear, Collaborative, and Comprehensive
We’ve refined our process over 30 years to make it as clear and straightforward as possible. No jargon, no surprises.
- The First Chat & A Look at Your Land: It all starts with a free, one-hour chat. We’ll talk about your ideas and what you’re hoping to spend. Then, we’ll dig into the specifics of your property—the views, the slope, the sun—to make sure the design fits the land.
- Sketching Out Ideas: This is the fun part. We’ll start sketching out floor plans and different concepts. We’ll play with how the rooms flow together and how the house will feel. It’s all about finding the layout that just clicks.
- Bringing it to Life in 3D: Once we have a direction, we’ll build a 3D model of the design. This is a game-changer. You’ll be able to see your home from every angle, walk through the rooms, and really get a feel for the space before a single shovel hits the dirt.
- The Nitty-Gritty: Construction Plans & Permits: This is where our experience really pays off. We create the super-detailed drawings (the blueprints) that contractors need to build your home correctly. We know what the Santa Rosa permit office is looking for, and we handle the entire submittal process for you.
A Few Common Questions We Hear
How long does it take to design a new house?
It really depends on the project, but a rough timeline is about 4 to 8 months to get from our first conversation to having permit-ready plans in hand. We work at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
Can you help us find a good builder?
Absolutely. While we focus on the design, we’ve built great relationships with some of the best builders in the Santa Rosa area. We’re happy to give you a few names of people we trust.
What's the real difference between a designer and an architect for a house project?
Think of it this way: for most residential projects, a talented, experienced designer can do everything an architect can, but often more affordably. Ellen has the formal training, but because we focus only on homes, our process is streamlined and cost-effective.
Read Our Reviews
Ready to Talk About Your Project?
Every great project starts with a simple conversation. We offer a FREE, no-pressure one-hour consultation to talk about what you have in mind.
Let's figure out what's possible and how we can help you get there.
Call Us Today: (707) 526-9566
