Do I Need an Architect for a Whole-House Remodel in the Austin Area, or Can a Design-Build Remodeler Handle It?
Published November 9, 2026
You usually don't need an architect for a whole-house remodel of a single-family home in the Austin area. A design-build remodeler can take your home renovation from design through construction under one contract. Under Texas Occupations Code Section 1051.606, work on "a single-family or dual-family dwelling or a building or appurtenance associated with the dwelling" is exempt from the state's architect law. The exemption holds as long as the person doing the work doesn't claim to be an architect or architectural designer. On a RenovatePros job, you work with an in-house design team on layout and selections. For the whole job, RenovatePros' published whole-home renovation estimates run in three tiers: about $100,000 to $150,000, $150,001 to $250,000, and $250,001 to $500,000. Those tiers are RenovatePros' general estimates, not a quote for your house. If you hire an architect, the architect's fee is a separate cost on top of the construction.
Does Texas law require an architect to remodel a house?
Texas law does not require an architect to remodel a single-family house or a duplex. Texas Occupations Code Section 1051.606 says the state's architect law does not apply to a person who doesn't claim to be an architect or architectural designer and does exempt work. Work on "a single-family or dual-family dwelling or a building or appurtenance associated with the dwelling" is on the exempt list. The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners shows the same rule in its chart "When to Engage an Architect or Approved Engineer," revised February 2024. On that chart, a private single-family dwelling or a duplex leads to "Exempt from Architectural Act."
The same chart sets a rule about the word itself. A person without an architect's license who offers design on an exempt project "must not use any form of the word architect" for that work. If the person drawing your remodel plans is called an architect, ask for their Texas registration.
Your permit office still decides what plans it needs, and that office depends on your exact address. To find out which office reviews your plans:
- Check whether your address is inside a city's limits.
- If it is, ask that city's building department what plans your remodel needs.
- If your house is outside city limits, ask the county.
When do you still want an architect or a structural engineer?
You may still want an architect for an Austin-area remodel when the design is the main thing you are buying. Examples are a new look for the whole house, or a full set of plans before you pick a builder. The law doesn't require an architect for a single-family house, but you are free to hire one.
A structural engineer is a separate question from an architect. Texas Occupations Code Section 1001.056(a) lets a person build, alter or draw plans for a private dwelling without an engineering license. The condition is that the person doesn't offer engineering services to the public. Section 1001.056(c) carves out one job that matters in a remodel: the engineering design of a residential slab on expansive soil, unless the construction meets the International Residential Code as applied where the house sits.
Changes to the structure of your house are the times to ask about an engineer:
- A new slab or foundation, such as for a ground-floor addition.
- Taking out or moving a load-bearing wall.
- Adding a second story on top of the house.
Whether your plans need an engineer's seal is up to the city that reviews them, or the county outside city limits. Ask that building department before the plans are drawn. If you are weighing a second story against starting over, read whether to tear down or remodel a 1980s West Lake Hills house.
How is design-build different from hiring an architect and then a builder?
Design-build puts the design and the construction of your Austin-area remodel under one contract with one company. The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) says that single contract for both design and construction is the fundamental difference. Other ways of building use separate contracts for the design and for the construction. With an architect first, you hire the architect to draw the plans, then hire a builder, often by asking builders to bid on those plans.
| What you compare | Design-build remodeler | Architect, then a builder |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts you sign | One contract for design and construction | One with the architect, a second with the builder |
| Who draws the plans | The design-build company's team or a designer it hires | The architect you hire |
| Who prices the build | The same company that designs it | Builders who bid on the architect's plans |
| Who you go to with a question | One company | The architect for design, the builder for construction |
On a RenovatePros job, you work with an in-house design team on layout and selections, and with the owner, who is on-site managing the crew, with no sales reps. For the price of the whole job, see RenovatePros' published whole-home renovation estimates. See how design-build remodeling works at RenovatePros, or read more on design-build remodeling trends.
What does an architect cost for a whole-house remodel?
An architect's fee for a whole-house remodel in the Austin area is a separate cost on top of the construction. Only a written proposal from the architect gives you your number. Published national cost guides give very different figures for architect fees, so don't plan around a guide's number.
Before you hire an architect, get a written fee proposal that answers these questions:
- How is the fee billed: as a share of the construction cost, an hourly rate, or a flat fee?
- Which services are in the fee: drawings only, help with permits, or visits during construction?
- What happens to the fee if the construction cost goes up or down?
If you go with design-build instead, ask how design is priced in the contract and whether the design work shows as its own line in the quote.
Do I need an architect for a home addition?
You usually don't need an architect for a home addition on a single-family house in the Austin area. The Texas Occupations Code Section 1051.606 exemption covers a single-family dwelling and the buildings associated with it.
An addition does raise engineer questions. A ground-floor addition needs a new foundation. Section 1001.056(c) leaves the engineering design of a residential slab on expansive soil outside the dwelling exemption, unless the construction meets the International Residential Code as applied locally. A second-story addition puts new weight on the walls and the foundation under it. For either kind, ask your city's building department, or the county outside city limits, whether the plans need an engineer's seal. If you have a homeowners association, check its rules for additions too. For room, bedroom and second-story additions, see the home additions page.
What should we ask a design-build remodeler before signing?
Before you sign with a design-build remodeler for an Austin-area whole-house remodel or addition, ask who does each part of the work and what the price covers:
- Who draws your plans? If anyone is called an architect, ask for their Texas registration.
- Does any part of the work need a structural engineer, and who hires the engineer?
- Who applies for the permits, and which city or county issues them for your address?
- Is design priced as its own line, and who owns the drawings if you stop after the design?
- Will the quote be itemized, so you can see what each part of the job costs?
- Who is on site each day to run the crew?
In an older house, also ask how the wiring and the water pipes will be checked before the scope is set. For a 1980s house, read what it costs to rewire a 1980s house in the Austin area and whether gray polybutylene pipes need replacing in an Austin remodel. On a RenovatePros job, you get a clear upfront quote with itemized scope and final pricing.
How do we start planning a whole-house remodel or addition?
Start planning a whole-house remodel or addition in the Austin area by settling what you want the house to do, whether it needs an engineer, and who issues your permits. Then choose an architect first or one design-build contract. If you are timing the work around a home purchase, read whether to renovate before or after moving in. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with RenovatePros to talk through your plans. If your home is in Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Lakeway, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Circle C Ranch, Belterra, Driftwood, The Hills, Spicewood or Wimberley, RenovatePros works in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an architect for home renovation in Texas?
For a single-family house or a duplex, Texas law does not require an architect. Texas Occupations Code Section 1051.606 exempts work on "a single-family or dual-family dwelling or a building or appurtenance associated with the dwelling" from the architect law. The exemption covers a person who doesn't claim to be an architect or architectural designer. Your city, or the county outside city limits, still decides what plans it needs for your permit.
Do I need an architect for a home addition?
An addition to a single-family house falls under the same Texas exemption, so the law does not require an architect. A home addition can raise engineer questions, such as a new slab on expansive soil or a second story. Ask your city's building department, or the county outside city limits, whether your plans need an engineer's seal.
Can a design-build remodeler handle a whole-house remodel without an architect?
Texas law lets a designer who doesn't claim to be an architect or architectural designer design a remodel of a single-family house. The Design-Build Institute of America describes design-build as one contract for both design and construction. The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners says a designer without an architect's license must not use any form of the word architect.
How much does an architect charge for a whole-house remodel?
An architect's fee for a whole-house remodel is a separate cost on top of the construction. Published national cost guides give very different figures, so ask any architect for a written fee proposal. The proposal should say how the fee is billed, as a share of construction cost, an hourly rate or a flat fee, and which services it covers.
Do I need a structural engineer to remodel a house in Texas?
Texas Occupations Code Section 1001.056 lets a person build, alter or draw plans for a private dwelling without an engineering license, if they don't offer engineering to the public. The exemption does not cover the engineering design of a residential slab on expansive soil unless the construction meets the International Residential Code as applied locally. Your city, or the county outside city limits, decides whether your plans need an engineer's seal.
What is the difference between design-build and hiring an architect?
With design-build, one company designs and builds your remodel under a single contract, which the Design-Build Institute of America calls the fundamental difference. With an architect first, you sign one contract for the design and a separate one with the builder. For a single-family house, Texas law does not require an architect either way.