A site in the Bay area where you can build a house...What a lucky person! I would think that you would want to put the most beautiful and well designed and built structure on your property as possible. Given this rare opportunity, I would suggest that you find an architect - one who designs 'green' and is sensitive to the land. In the end, for many reasons, an architect can save you at least the fee that she or he charges, help you develop and express your own unique vision of home, and create a structure that will be a testament to conscientious building rather than another blight on the land. As an alternative, you may find architecturally designed homes on these websites: healthyhomeplans.com or architecturalhouseplans.com These plans have been designed and built for actual clients, and are offered as an alternative to standard stock plans. If you find a plan, you could take it to an architect or engineer to detail for your particular codes and conditions. I think there are a number of plans that were designed for sloped properties. An architect or engineer could easily modify the plans to work with your conditions. Good luck with your project!

Thanks much for the sites! I'll look into them. It's just that sometimes the fees add up to so much that I can't imagine how spec builders make profit, yet they seem to around here. Anyway, I'd love to know if there are any good designers in this area. Thanks!

Hi juniork, I know when we e-mailed privately about a month ago, I told you that I could not recommend the designer we used, but I do have recommendations for other professionals you will be needing:

Soils Engineer - Henry Justiniano & Associates, Henry Justiniano (Pleasanton) 925-831-9092
Civil Engineer - Alexander & Associates, Darryl Alexander (Pleasanton) 925-462-2255
Structural Engineer - PFS Consulting, Robb Robertson (Sacramento) 925-978-2800

If you do end up making contact with any of these people, just let them know that Bob & Leilani at Vineyard Avenue sent the referral (we don't get $$$ but like to show our appreciation of jobs well done by referring them.)

Best of luck to you in finding a designer!

Leilani

Thanks, Leilani! I think those are next on the list...sigh...no wonder people settle for spec homes! :)
I'll definitely give them a call when it's time.

You're welcome...one mistake I just noticed, PFS Consulting's phone number is 916-978-2800!

We are in the East Bay (Danville) and we used an architect out of San Luis Obispo (friend of a friend) I don't have the exact amount we ended up paying for her design but our builder told us we got a GREAT deal compared to anyone we could have used locally. When we started she was just getting back into working (took a little time off to have 2 kids) and was doing some side jobs out of her house. She's now fully back to work, with an official office, partner and everything. We really enjoyed working with her. I'm not sure what her current pay structure is, it could be that we got such a good deal because we hit her just as she was getting back into working. I'm on vacation right now but if you'd like you can look on my page and email me. When I get back I can give you her contact information.