--- title: "Zaga Design Group Inc — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zaga-design-group-inc-pfvwus-pf~277526803 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~277526803.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Zaga Design Group Inc" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/13b3a5f502e9381c_1942-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "Denver, Colorado 80211, United States" phone: "(704) 998-7155" website: http://www.zagadesigngroup.com rating: 4.4 review_count: 16 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 68 last_updated: 2026-09-22 --- # Zaga Design Group Inc Original Houzz profile: [Zaga Design Group Inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zaga-design-group-inc-pfvwus-pf~277526803) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Denver, CO - **Serves:** Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial, Broomfield, Englewood, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Greenwood Village, Federal Heights, Berkley, Applewood, Cherry Hills Village, Edgewater, Mountain View, Morrison, Lakeside, Bel Mar, Congress Park, Curtis Park, Downtown Denver, Platte Park, Stapleton, Wash Park - **Houzz rating:** 4.4 out of 5 (16 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2021–2022), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Woman owned - Award winning - 18 years in business Award Winning WBENC and Denver SBE, M/WBE Certified Architecture + Interior Services in the Denver Metro Area Zaga Design Group, Inc. was formed in 2005 by Sandra Thompson, as she set out to establish a community-centric design firm in our bustling neighborhood of Northwest Denver. We are a proven firm of talented and experienced designers and professionals focused on infusing our projects with beauty, efficiency, thoughtful functionality and our passion for creating renewed and beloved spaces for those in our community. We commit to improving quality of life for our clients by providing a customized approach and personalized touch throughout every phase of the project, from conceptual design through construction. Our project portfolio includes single family, multifamily, mixed-use commercial developments, community buildings, educational facilities and historic renovations. Services Provided: Design & Development \| Community Planning \| Site Planning \| Mixed Use Development \| Commercial & Residential Design Development \| Drafting/CAD \| Project Planning \| Contractor Bidding & Negotiation \| Construction Administration \| Three Dimensional Renderings \| Feasibility Studies & Zoning \| Interior Design Services \| Custom Home Design \| Commercial Tenant Finish \| Energy Efficient Home Design \| Floor Plans \| Green Building \| Historic Building Conservation \| Home Additions, Remodels & Pop Tops ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Home Restoration - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Structural Engineering - Mudroom Design - Basement Design - Staircase Design - Garage Design - Construction Drawings - Custom Home ### Areas Served - Denver - Lakewood - Arvada - Westminster - Centennial - Broomfield - Englewood - Wheat Ridge - Golden - Greenwood Village - Federal Heights - Berkley - Applewood - Cherry Hills Village - Edgewater - Mountain View - Morrison - Lakeside - Bel Mar - Congress Park - Curtis Park - Downtown Denver - Platte Park - Stapleton - Wash Park ### Typical Job Cost $150,000 - 50 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Zaga Design Group Inc | | Address | Denver, Colorado 80211, United States | | Phone | (704) 998-7155 | | Website | http://www.zagadesigngroup.com | | License Number | 305045 | | Followers on Houzz | 68 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ZagaDesignGroup/ - LinkedIn — www.linkedin.com/company/zaga-design-group - Blog — www.zagadesigngroup.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Zaga Design Group Inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zaga-design-group-inc-pfvwus-pf~277526803) - **Website:** http://www.zagadesigngroup.com - **Phone:** (704) 998-7155 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - WBENC & WOSB National Certifications - AIA Member, NCARB Certified - Denver SBE, DBE, EBE & M/WBE Certified - BBB Accredited Business - A+ Rating as of 11/1/22 - National Association of Home Builders - Award Winner, Best in American Living 2021 + 2022 - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2021–2022), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [HBA of Metropolitan Denver](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/hba-of-metropolitan-denver-pfvwus-pf~916451504) - [Better Business Bureau Pacific Southwest BBBPacSW](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/better-business-bureau-pacific-southwest-bbbpacsw-pfvwus-pf~1706456917) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5 — 16 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 42.0 - Communication: 40.0 - Value: 40.0 ### Reviews **★ — HU-542805168, Aug. 2023** > We had an extremely disappointing experience and suffered a huge financial loss from going under contract with Zaga Design firm. We paid for the premium package, which included city approved plans for a simple attic renovation, vetting the GCs and managing the project from start to finish. In total we paid around $18k in full. The owner made sure she was paid in full when we did not have an approved city plan yet nor a GC in place. The quote provided was grossly under estimated $200-$300k depending on the bids. Prepare to hear every excuse as to why your phone calls and e-mails go unanswered for months.. This is the norm for communication and follow through. To date, the firm and has yet to provide a city approved plan or resolution. Even though we have a signed agreement detailing the SOW and arbitration if needed, we were ghosted. We hired a lawyer and the firm’s attorney ignored any attempts to reconcile. After it became mentally debilitating, we finally gave up. We lost 18k and received nothing in return. That is all you really need to know here. Theres a level of ethics a respectful business should adhere to but you wont find that here. A signed contract has no bearing or meaning. > > If one person benefits from this then it was worth sharing. To say we are disappointed with this firm would be an understatement. Still waiting for the firm to make this right. **Comment from Zaga Design Group Inc:** > We have communicated extensively with this client to try and address the concerns as outlined, as well as engaging our attorney. This former client filed a DORA complain against us, which was promptly dismissed following all of our supporting documentation. We spent 3x the amount of hours to execute the work in our contract, trying to assist the client during a time of skyrocketing construction costs due to Covid (which was completely out of our control). We also went above and beyond during the bidding and value engineering phase, engaging 12 different builders at the client's request (only 3 builders were included in our contract). We take our business, clients and contracts incredibly seriously. **★★★★★ — Mindy Verdecchio, May 2021** > The Zaga team saw this project through 2020 and into 2021 with patience, kindness and professionalism. We couldn’t be happier with the design. Highly recommended! **Comment from Zaga Design Group Inc:** > Thanks so much for the kind review, Mindy! We loved working with you, and are always here if you need anything in the future. **★★★★★ — HU-420926530, March 2021** > The Zaga Design Team has been instrumental in helping me transform my house into the home I've dreamed of. They recognized the potential of the space and were mindful about functionality for my family, aesthetics and even return on investment. I loved and enjoyed working with them throughout the process and felt like a member of their team by the end of the project. Not to mention they are a woman owned, local business ..heck yeah! They will have my support forever. Thank you Zaga! **★★★★★ — Penny Kee, March 2021** > I was introduced to the Zaga Design Group by my son and daughter-in-law, who had worked with them on a pop-top project. They were delighted with the results and I immediately contacted Zaga when I bought my house in Park Hill. My project was larger in scope and involved completely gutting a 1950’s ranch and turning it into a two-story house that will allow me to age in place. Working with Sandy and her team was a collaborative effort, unlike my experience with some professionals who have a pre-conceived idea of what the end result should be and discount, and sometimes even ignore, the client’s desires and concerns. Together we created a home that is beautiful, functional, and reflects my taste and ideas as implemented - and frequently improved - by the team. Just as important to me was that the house should fit comfortably into its surroundings, and my new neighbors have all expressed delight - and relief - that it is such a harmonious addition to the block. > > Kudos, Zaga! **★★★★★ — HU-812608521, March 2021** > Not only have we done one project with Sandy, but we were so happy with Zaga's professionalism, knowledge, and ALWAYS having our best interest in mind, that we hired Sandy for a second home renovation. Both projects were massive in scale as they were a complete rebuild of an existing home. Given we had never been through this process before, Sandy and her team were very patient with us and coached us on what to expect throughout the entire process. Once we got past the architectural design phase, Sandy stayed involved throughout the entire build cycle to ensure that our relationship with the contractor was smooth and that we were happy with the process and outcome. > If you are looking for an architect that will work with you on a design that blows your mind away and that will always be your advocate, then you shouldn't look any further than partnering with Zaga Design. **★★★★★ — Melanie Brochard, March 2021** > My husband and I have been working with Sandy and Fernando for the last year, and truly enjoy working with them. We are completing a pop-top project in North Denver and feel that communication is appropriate (so many set backs with COVID and permitting - which we totally understand.) When I feel overwhelmed with the scope, details or cost of our project, I know I can reach out to Sandy to help me breath, and remind me the why behind this amazing project. Fernando has been wonderful as well to work with, they both continuously wow us and respond with support and guidance. We are on the tail end of what feels like a project that has been in the "works" in one form or another for over a year, and I wouldn't even think of hiring another design group. I have referred Zaga to many of my friends looking to enhance or alter their residence, and will continue to do so. Thank you Team Zaga! **★★★★★ — HU-336111146, March 2021** > Sandy is the best and we could not be more pleased with how our 1,000 square foot addition turned out! We have six kids and when my father-in-law moved in with us we knew we needed more space! Sandy knew that our budget was tight and helped us find areas to save. She also knew that we needed a design that would be functional for my father-in-law but would not look like a hospital. Her design was perfect; limiting transitions, maximizing the width of doorways and keeping in mind the space that may be needed in the future should he require more care. But on top of that she included things in the design that spoke to how the space would be enjoyed....not just used. For example, she included a beautiful covered porch off my father-in-law’s room. This is his favorite spot to “sit and enjoy the birds.” The addition also included a second story bedroom for our daughters who have a big gap in age. After one of our walkthroughs, our teenage daughter explained how she was going to partition the room with bookcases to give herself privacy. A few days later, Sandy emailed me a new set of drawings that somehow made the upstairs bedroom into TWO upstairs bedrooms! Sandy listened to my daughter’s off-handed comment with a mom’s ear. Sandy knew that this was really important to our daughter even if it was a brief mention. And then Sandy magically delivered more than we thought possible! > When issues came up during construction Sandy was quick to respond and good at finding solutions. Our contractor, who had not worked with her previously, commented again and again throughout the addition how great she was to work with. > We highly recommend Sandy and ZAGA! **★★★★★ — Mrs. Keller, Feb. 2021** > I have had the pleasure of working with Sandy and her team for the past two years - and cannot express enough just how much of a joy it is to work with them. Sandy's strong work ethic and dedication to her community is the sturdy foundation from which all she does is built. Zaga Design Group produces beautiful work while being role models in what it means to value relationships over profits. Something I value deeply in those I work with. **Comment from Zaga Design Group Inc:** > Thank you SO much for the incredibly kind words! We feel fortunate to do work that means so much to us, in a community we love so dearly. **★ — jenny bush, Feb. 2021** > We had a terrible experience working with Sandy. We wanted to do a small renovation to finish the basement and alter the first floor layout of our newly purchased home in Sloans Lake. We met 3 architects before starting the project, and although Sandy charged 2x , we were sold after meeting in person. She had a lovely demeanor and was warm. We are first time renovators and she pitched us on the fact that she was going to hold our hand through the process: help us figure out how to save costs, connect us with contractors, join contractor meetings to help with selection, etc. We walked through the whole project and she communicated we could do this well within our budget (she predicted $50-70k). > > Communication was sparse from the start, but our project was simple, so we were not too worried. I was frustrated because we comunicated this was a project we wanted to move quickly on, and we were always the ones to setup the next conversation and ensure the project was moving forward. The first big red flag, was when Sandy was scheduled to meet my mom (who was driving 2 hours from Edwards) at the house. I reached out in the days leading up to the meeting to confirmand I didn't hear back. She finally emailed the evening prior to the meeting with little apology. > > Once she submitted for the permits, we tried to stay on top of this timeline, so we could coordinate with the house sellers and contractor. On a Thursday, she said she was checking with the permitting office and would get back to us the next day. We didn't hear from her the next day, or for the following 2 weeks. She took vacation for 2 weeks with no warning or communication, although she knew we were super time sensitive. > > After making all these claims about connecting us with contractors and walking us through this process, ensuring we stay in budget, etc. she did not connect us with ANY contractors. When we reached out, she ended up delivering ONE bid (no conversations) that came in at $350k!!! 5x what she told us this project would cost. She justified this, saying the contractor assumed high end finishes. This didn't make sense given our project scope, and the fact that she explicity said we should keep the finishes low/mid range in the basement and claimed she would help us contain costs. She took no accountability for the fact that she didn't deliver on all the services she claimed to provide. > > Lastly, when I gave her this feedback, she said upon reflection, our project was not a good fit. Fair enough, but given we did a hour property walk through and the project scope didn't change, this is something SHE should have determined PRIOR to starting our project. No apology was given for her oversight on this. She is great in person and a great sales person but in my experience her word means very little and she will say what you want to hear with little intention or care for actually staying true to what she has said. **Comment from Zaga Design Group Inc:** > We are happy to restate the information with which we responded to this client's feedback after she threatened to leave us negative reviews online, and we stick by our explanation. This project started off with a very accelerated timeline, and we did everything within our scope as fast as we could. We handled schematic design, construction documents, City of Denver permit submittal and permit approval in a total of 80 days. This is an incredibly fast timeline (as our other clients can attest), especially considering the pandemic and typical holiday slow-downs. This client also requested to change the scope of the project after we had submitted the plans to the building department, which effects both the timeline and the project cost. > > Our clients tend to flourish when they see the value of our standard processes and appreciate our expertise. Our Bidding & Negotiation service package was not included because of the accelerated timeline. We offered to provide complimentary suggestions on contractors and attended two site evaluations with contractors and solicited a bid from yet another. One of the three builders respectfully declined to move forward, the second was assuming a higher level of finish and the third, it was clear, was already her preferred choice. Moving forward with additional bidders would have extended the already accelerated timeline and we will reiterate, was not a service for which we were being compensated. As for price, we initially estimated the project to come in somewhere between $70k and $100k. We are not in control of contractor pricing and have found this a challenging period of building supply inflation and lack of availability. This is industry wide in Denver, and has presented a significant challenge for most of our clients. We have found it very difficult to anticipate the price jumps in the last year. The highest bid (assuming high end finishes) was $250k, and the lowest was $70k (not out of the realm of our initial estimation). > > With regard to my "2 week vacation," I did in fact take vacation the week between Christmas and New Years with my 3 children. I was gone a total of 7 days, and absolutely informed these clients, as it also required a quarantine period before and after the trip (and during which I was working from home). I also turned around revised drawings for Jenny within 2 days of my return. It may be true I was difficult to contact for some of the timeline, as my father was in the hospital. But it is worth noting that the amount of emails and phone calls we received from this client during the project was extremely high and would be difficult to handle in addition to providing the services for which we also committed to concurrent clients. > > We have spent many years creating and refining our business processes, and find that our clients are satisfied when they follow our business model and project method approach that includes a single point of contact. This client chose to follow her prescribed approach with very high expectations and an incredibly fast turn-around. As I said directly to Jenny, we learned through the process our firm was not the right fit as we feel we were not allowed to manage the job. This is absolutely regretful, and had we known at the outset her approach to the project we would have declined. Our goal is to always be a client's advocate, and found it incredibly hard to be left to do our job. We will absolutely keep this feedback in mind moving forward, and wish Jenny well with future projects. **★★★★★ — Kathryn Senft, June 2018** > Sandy designed our house addition and basement - we couldn't be happier! Attention to detail and high standards would define Zaga Neighborhood Design. From permit issues to survey problems - she was there for multiple conversations and problem solving sessions. Sandy is very thorough and highly involved in her projects. Her office team is architecturally educated, helpful and friendly. We will be hiring them to do the pop top on our 1906 bungalow! **Comment from Zaga Design Group Inc:** > Thank you for the kind words, Kathy! It was a pleasure (as always) working with you! **★★★★★ — compass construction, Aug. 2016** > Sandy and Becky are two extremely competent people, with knowledge in architecture to spare. The process with which they vet the contractors and the project details is thorough, and although time consuming on the front end, gets results with great accuracy and few details (if any missed), and ultimately saves a lot of time and money for their clients. Working with them on multiple projects, we have first hand experience on their timely responses to RFI's, with detailed notes and drawings to follow. They are part of a great team that is local, and well known. We are extremely happy to be a part of the team they choose to work with. To many more projects with Zaga!!! **★★★★★ — LR Contracting Inc, Aug. 2016** > I have worked closely with Sandra and Becky at Zaga Neighborhood Design. I am impressed with how they are consistently two steps ahead of the process. They're professional, creative, helpful, and always available (which is rare). They do more than just design, they take the project thru the entire process with the city and give feedback to everyone throughout. When they've handed a project off to me, it is well thought out and 100% ready to go. In short, they make my job easier. They far exceed my experience with any other designer. I've enjoyed working with them in the past and look forward to working with them again in the future. ## Selected projects - [South Bannock](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-bannock-pj-vj~5847319) - Location: Englewood, CO - Photos: 15 - [Wash Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wash-park-pj-vj~3003068) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 32 - [Osceola](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/osceola-pj-vj~1946160) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 9 - [Curtis Park ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/curtis-park-adu-pj-vj~5843705) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 21 - [Washington](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/washington-pj-vj~5847094) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 27 - [Newton](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/newton-pj-vj~5847097) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 23 - [Highlands ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/highlands-adu-pj-vj~5843657) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 16 - [Bannock Duplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bannock-duplex-pj-vj~2646851) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 35 - [Elm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/elm-pj-vj~1797140) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 9 - [Stout](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stout-pj-vj~2302456) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 49 - [Highlands Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/highlands-modern-pj-vj~5843630) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 3 - [High Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-street-pj-vj~5847137) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 5 - [Garfield](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garfield-pj-vj~1836787) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 12 - [Moncrieff](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/moncrieff-pj-vj~5843636) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 2 - [W 36th Duplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/w-36th-duplex-pj-vj~2100516) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 10 - [Meade](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/meade-pj-vj~5847161) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 33 - [Park Hill PopTop](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/park-hill-poptop-pj-vj~7244324) - Location: Denver, CO - Photos: 31 - Description: Pop Top and Remodel in Park Hill Photos credit @afterimageuas - [Beekman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beekman-pj-vj~7221964) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Pearl](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pearl-pj-vj~7221957) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 31 - [Gaylord](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gaylord-pj-vj~7221954) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 [See all 33 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zaga-design-group-inc-pfvwus-pf~277526803) ## Ideabooks - [Saxon-Kalkus Residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/182487271/list/saxon-kalkus-residence) — 3 ideas - [Harrop Residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/171047358/list/harrop-residence) — 15 ideas - [Wilson Interior Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/150350925/list/wilson-interior-remodel) — 2 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/110243486/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas - [S.B.](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79584243/list/s-b) — 12 ideas - [Prarie](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75976973/list/prarie) — 9 ideas - [Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73684238/list/modern) — 14 ideas - [Glass House](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72913179/list/glass-house) — 26 ideas - [Garage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72849870/list/garage) — 17 ideas - [Transitional](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72260032/list/transitional) — 4 ideas - [Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72259833/list/craftsman) — 4 ideas - [Cottage Homes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72227571/list/cottage-homes) — 13 ideas - [Adrian's Room- Stay Out!](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72210916/list/adrian-s-room-stay-out) — 38 ideas - [Industrial](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72158710/list/industrial) — 10 ideas - [Mid Mod](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68310457/list/mid-mod) — 18 ideas - [Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68282266/list/contemporary) — 27 ideas - [Master Bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68282010/list/master-bath) — 15 ideas - [Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68282145/list/kitchen) — 20 ideas - [Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68282465/list/stairs) — 6 ideas - [Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68282206/list/farmhouse) — 13 ideas [See all 26 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/zagadesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: can you use modern railing in an updated old farmhouse** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you us modern railings in an updated old farmhouse A: Hi Lisa- This build was new and the owner wanted a transitional interior style - blending elements of historic and contemporary features. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-22.*