Engage an architect or designer with Renton whole-house remodel experience

Architect vs. residential designer

RCW 18.08.410 exempts design work for residential buildings of up to four dwelling units from architect licensing requirements, regardless of size. That means most Renton whole-house remodels can use either a licensed architect or a residential designer.

• Licensed architect. Higher fee, broader scope, fuller construction administration.
• Residential designer. Not licensed as an architect but L&I-registered. Most Renton whole-house remodels under $600K use this path.

For projects in the $300K–$600K band, a residential designer is usually the right fit. For down-to-studs + larger addition projects, an architect's broader coordination earns its fee back.

What you're hiring

A designer's scope on a whole-house remodel typically covers:

1. Schematic design — preliminary plans, elevations, kitchen layout study.
2. Design development — refined plans, sections, exterior materials, basic specifications.
3. Construction documents — the full permit-set drawings.
4. Renton CED submittal — application, response to corrections.
5. Construction administration (optional) — periodic site visits, change-order review.

Construction administration is worth it on a project this size; cutting it to save 10% on design fees is a false economy when the GC has a question every other week.

Where to find a designer or architect

Three reliable channels, in order of how the founder would actually shop:

1. Recent permit history. The Renton CASSP portal (permitting.rentonwa.gov) lets you look up recent residential addition and alteration permits in your neighborhood. Designers of record who appear repeatedly are your local specialists — they already know Renton CED reviewers and submittal expectations.
2. GCs from your feasibility walk. Builders know designers they like to work with; ask for recommendations biased toward designers who collaborate well in the field.
3. AIA Seattle. AIA Seattle maintains a residential referral list — useful when you specifically want a licensed architect.

What to look for: recent Renton CED submittals on similar project types; finished projects you can visit; clear scope and fee; willingness to describe what's NOT in the design fee. Three meetings, three proposals, one hire.