--- title: "The Design & Building Works — Building Designers and Drafters | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/the-design-and-building-works-pfvwus-pf~721728254 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~721728254.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "The Design & Building Works" category: ["Building Designers and Drafters"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e0b302db0a972475_7128-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Santa Rosa, California 95404, United States" phone: "(707) 526-9566" website: http://www.thedesignandbuildingworks.com rating: 5 review_count: 3 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 last_updated: 2026-08-17 --- # The Design & Building Works Original Houzz profile: [The Design & Building Works](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/the-design-and-building-works-pfvwus-pf~721728254) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Building Designers and Drafters - **Location:** Santa Rosa, CA - **Serves:** Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Larkfield-Wikiup, Sebastopol, Kenwood - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2021–2026), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - 5 Ideabook Saves - Locally owned - Online consultation - 25 years in business The Design & Building Works located in Santa Rosa is dedicated to Designing & Remodeling. Our goal is to have very satisfied customers, so customer service is our top priority. ### Services Provided - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Architectural Design - Architectural Drawings - Bathroom Design - Bathroom Remodeling - Building Design - Custom Homes - Deck Design - Drafting - Floor Plans - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Home Remodeling - House Plans - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Laundry Room Design - Mudroom Design - Multigenerational Homes - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Space Planning ### Areas Served - Santa Rosa - Rohnert Park - Windsor - Larkfield-Wikiup - Sebastopol - Kenwood ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | The Design & Building Works | | Address | Santa Rosa, California 95404, United States | | Phone | (707) 526-9566 | | Website | http://www.thedesignandbuildingworks.com | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [The Design & Building Works](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/the-design-and-building-works-pfvwus-pf~721728254) - **Website:** http://www.thedesignandbuildingworks.com - **Phone:** (707) 526-9566 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2021–2026), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — bemckay, July 2025** > Ellen and team are a pleasure to work with. They take ownership of their portion of the design, drawing development and creation, and work seamlessly with the engineers producing the calculations for the project. They also work through any details that come up during the permitting process for clarification by adding those details to the plan set and answering any questions that may arise. They are extremely conscientious and helpful throughout the entire process of your project regardless of size or complexity. **Comment from The Design & Building Works:** > Thank you for your kind words Brent, it was a pleasure working with you. I believe we made a good team because we both listened and communicated well, which is an essential part of a good project. **★★★★★ — Bob S, Jan. 2021** > We hired Ellen to design a custom rebuild of our home lost in the 2017 Northern CA Tubb’s Fire. She had been recommended by neighbors also in the process of rebuilding their lost homes as someone who was excellent and affordable. > > In our case redesigning and rebuilding a home was nowhere on our bucket list. Accommodating limited insurance funds and uncertain builder costs in addition to a personal wish list, much of which needed to be scaled back, had a steep and emotional learning curve (mostly for one of us -that would be me). Throughout the process, Ellen initially followed our lead on design ideas. I cannot count how many times I told Ellen “You drew exactly what we asked. But, after seeing it, we want something different”. Most times her subsequent design suggestions were ones that worked. > > Ellen's knowledge of state and local building codes, her services related to the permit process, and her working relationships with engineering firms, energy consultants, etc. were very helpful as she took care of most related requirements so that we did not have to. > > She was the perfect supportive and knowledgeable partner for helping us come up with the final unique non-cookie cutter design we wanted and now love. During the construction process and since moving in, we have regularly received complimentary reviews on her design from neighbors and passersby alike. Thanks Ellen. **★★★★★ — Evaristo Valle, July 2020** > The Design and Building Works was key in obtaining my building permit from the City of Santa Rosa. I was in need of having drawings, plans, and specifications done for the conversion of my garage into a 1 bedroom unit, an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The Design & Building Works put together drawings and specifications that required only one review by the Santa Rosa Building Department in order to issue me the required building permits. The drawings were complete in regards to referencing all of the required building codes, specifications and on calling out all of the correct details. Ellen Picard, owner is really easy to work with, detailed oriented, and has a very good reputation with the City of Santa Rosa Building Department. I highly recommend her and I would hire again for any project without a second thought. ## Selected projects - [Montecito Ave Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/montecito-ave-remodel-pj-vj~2962428) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Shortly after they purchased this house, we met with the homeowners who had done already some demolition inside and had definite ideas and goals for their new home. We served as consultants to finish the design and began construction. The floor plan is open, creating views of the beautiful surrounding gardens. We incorporated hydronic heating floor, with a sealed colored concrete finish. The kitchen counter is a slab of concrete that also serves as a breakfast bar. - [Kitchen remodels](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-remodels-pj-vj~2962583) - Location: Santa Rosa, CA - Photos: 6 - [Second story addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/second-story-addition-pj-vj~2962441) - Location: Santa Rosa, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: The “I can’t quit you!” second story addition Challenge: Our clients desperately needed a bigger house, but they could not bear the thought of leaving their beloved neighborhood and friends behind. Recommendation: We suggested the client add a 600 square foot master suite above the garage and part of the house, which they opted to do. The setback limits for a 2nd story started the layout for the floor plan, and we integrated the style to blend in with the existing 2nd story addition. Result: The… - [Shallow Creek Dr](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shallow-creek-dr-pj-vj~6555318) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Master suites remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-suites-remodel-pj-vj~5785058) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: An older couple in their mid 80s to 90s lost their home in the Tubbs fire and did not feel like choosing new tiles for their new house in the next 2 years. They decided with their son to move in with him and his wife and re-arrange the master bedrooms. It was a typical set for 3 bedrooms 2 baths so I created 2 master suites. Her concern was noise, since the elderly couple spent a lot of time watching TV in their bedrooms at a high volume. We created a sound insulation wall, and she reported that… - [Mocha Lane - Fire rebuild](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mocha-lane-fire-rebuild-pj-vj~5785042) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [New deck in Truckee](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-deck-in-truckee-pj-vj~2962432) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 [See all 7 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/the-design-and-building-works-pfvwus-pf~721728254) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*