Architectural Design Review

Quality Assurance for Owners and Small Architecture Firms

Good drawings reduce stress, surprises, and cost.

Architects juggle thousands of decisions. Consultants, codes, and changing budgets add layers of complexity. In that process, it’s easy for important goals, code issues, or coordination problems to be overlooked.

I provide an independent design review on your side—checking whether the drawings in front of you are clear, coordinated, and truly aligned with what you’re trying to build.

For Owners: Independent Design and Construction Set Reviews

If you are building a house or outfitting a small commercial space, you may only go through this process once or twice. There are thousands of decisions, and it can be hard to tell whether the drawings in front of you truly reflect your goals.

I act as an owner’s representative focused on design quality, and during the review process I will:

  • Review schematic, design development, and construction documents

  • Compare the design against your stated goals and constraints

  • Identify missing or unclear information that may lead to surprises on site

  • Provide clear, written and visual feedback you can share with your architect and builder

Reviews are performed on your PDF drawing set. I can mark them up directly or issue a separate printable report with a checklist.

You have someone who is only on your side - without replacing your existing design team. This helps ensure that what gets built is aligned with what you intended.

For Small Architecture Firms: External QA / Coordination Support

Small firms often lack the time or extra staff to perform the kind of thorough quality review they know their projects deserve. I provide fractional QA and coordination support so you can issue cleaner sets under real deadlines.

Typical support includes:

  • Peer review of construction sets for single-family and small commercial projects

  • IBC/IRC compliance checks on life safety, egress, and basic code diagrams

  • Coordination pass across architectural, structural, and MEP drawings

  • Redlines and issue lists focused on clarity, constructability, and consistency

Reviews are performed on your PDF drawing set. I can mark them up directly or issue a separate printable report with a checklist.

Engagements can be per-set (“QC package” before issue) or hourly, giving you high-level review without using existing staff hours.

Plan Compliance and Design Review for HOAs and Communities

I also work with HOAs, architectural review committees, and similar boards to raise the level of design and reduce uncertainty around approvals.

Services include:

  • Plan compliance review against existing community guidelines for all proposed renovations and new buildings

  • Clear written and illustrated reports for boards, owners, and their architects

  • Assistance creating, editing, and clarifying design guidelines and standards over time, so that design decisions are clearer for the community and easier to defend and communicate for the Board

The goal is consistent, understandable decisions that support the character of the community while giving owners and designers a workable path through the process.

If you are an owner, small firm, or community looking for independent architectural review and coordination, I can help you issue better drawings and achieve better outcomes with the projects that matter most.

A Design “Once-Over” for Homeowners

For homeowners in any phase of design. Early reviews are usually more beneficial - $175. I can mark up your set directly and this includes a follow up video call to walk you through the reivew.

Detailed Review for Owners and Small Firms

For owners and small firms with a nearly complete submission set - most projects are $1200. A coordination and QA pass before issue: cross-checking sheets, flagging missing information, and catching conflicts that lead to RFIs and change orders.

HOA Review for Boards

For HOA boards and architectural review committees evaluating individual submittals and refining their rules. Individual building reviews typically range from $150–$800 depending on complexity; rule and guideline work is billed hourly. Use the form below and mention your role; I’ll follow up with a suggested scope and fee structure.

Book a Review

If you send a download link and a project description I can give a guaranteed price in the reply. I will confirm scope, price, and timing before starting any work and your documents will not be shared.

Prices start at $175 and turnaround is typically 5-10 business days, depending on the scope of the review.