JRN Design Associates llc

48 Reviews

Design-Build Firms

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About Us

28 years in business

8x Best of Houzz winner

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Michigan's Trusted Budget Friendly Architect 8X Best of Houzz Winner

Welcome to J.R.N. Design Associates, llc where custom home design and your desired construction budget are a priority. Owner Jeffrey Brian Rice has a degree in the school of Architecture at LTU and is a Licensed Builder in the State of Michigan Lic # 2101221654. Jeffrey is also the author of a acceptable continuing education approved by the AIA for architects titled, "Building on Budget by Design" R. The course is also continuing education for builders in the State of Michigan. There are numerous areas where inefficiency and costly over design occurs within plan development. These overages are found in roof construction and framing, exterior detailing and window design, final size and square footage, site preparation / earthwork, engineering directions, mechanical and plumbing and an additional 30 other line items that are part of pricing a home. The combination of planning and competitive pricing provides a powerful and “Most Informative” approach to design, allowing the client the opportunity to understand comparable design directions for substantially less cost and in many cases without compromise. J.R.N. Design Associates, llc has published work in “Dream Homes of Michigan,” the designer of numerous Parade Home winners, won 1st Place for “Best of Show Builder” (placing in this category twice), won 1st Place for “Most Informative Expo Booth” five times at the Petoskey Home Builder’s Show. Currently, J.R.N. is very pleased to announce the Houzz Community has elected J.R.N. Design Associates, the “Best of Houzz” 5 consecutive years, for excellence in customer service and design philosophy. Feel free to call to discuss how J.R.N. Design can help you to "Build on Budget by Design"R. With sincere appreciation, Jeffrey Rice 231-275-8012 J.R.N. Design Associates llc “Building on Budget by Design” R

Awards

J.R.N. Design Assoc. llc has won 1st Place for: "Best of Show Builder" and 1st Place for "Most Informative" 5 times at a Northern MI HBA Expo. Owner Jeffrey Brian Rice is a Lic. Builder in the State of MI and author of an AIA continuing education course titled, "Building on Budget by Design" R.

27 Projects

Inspiration for a huge timeless gray two-story vinyl house exterior remodel in Other with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Business Details

Business Name

JRN Design Associates llc

Phone Number

(231) 518-3565

Website

jrndesignassociates.houzzsite.com

Address

20793 E. Trails End
Interlochen, MI 49643

Typical Job Cost

$200,000 - 1 million

Custom home designs with full project pricing and any needed adjustments for value or budget acquisition are "free" for Design Build Clients. Design costs can be rolled into a design build contract management fee. Feel free to Inquire for more details. Thank you.

License Number

Per contracted engineer

Followers

86 Followers

Socials

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Services Provided

Home Remodeling

Custom Homes

New Home Construction

Home Additions

Home Extensions

Architectural Design

Guesthouse Design & Construction

Basement Remodeling

Building Design

Multigenerational Homes

Architectural Drawings

Pool House Design & Construction

House Plans

Project Management

3D Rendering

Energy-Efficient Homes

Garage Building

Floor Plans

Basement Design

Universal Design

Green Building

Sustainable Design

Attic Conversion

Space Planning

Historic Building Conservation

Deck Design

Garage Design

Drafting

Barn Design & Construction

Structural Engineering

Log Home Construction

Construction Drawings

Design and complete price acquisition.

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Areas Served

Traverse City

Bloomfield Hills

Greilickville

Grawn

Chums Corner

Buckley

Interlochen

Thompsonville

Bendon

Lake Ann

Beulah

Nessen City

All areas in Michigan.

All areas in the US.

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Credentials

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Featured Review

John and Miranda

We had the honor and privilege to work with one of the most amazing designers here in Norther Michigan! Read Full Review

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48 Reviews for JRN Design Associates llc

Newest first

4.9|48 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

5.0

Value

5.0

HU-6581719

5 Stars – Highly Recommend JRN Design Associates LLC! I cannot recommend Jeff Rice and JRN Design Associates LLC highly enough! Jeff has an incredible ability to envision what a future home can become, ensuring that every aspect of the design is not only visually stunning but also practical and functional for everyday living. One of Jeff’s greatest strengths is his ability to assemble a top-notch team of skilled professionals. Having worked with many of these individuals for years, he knows firsthand their work ethic, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality. Having someone with those trusted relationships overseeing your project is truly a godsend and brings tremendous peace of mind throughout the building process. Beyond his expertise, Jeff is genuinely a pleasure to work with. He listens to your ideas, understands your vision, and knows how to turn those ideas into reality while keeping the project within your budget and timeframe. His professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to making sure everything comes together seamlessly really set him apart. Overall, if you’re planning to build your dream home or take on a major construction project, I would highly recommend Jeff Rice and JRN Design Associates LLC. His knowledge, experience, and connections make him an invaluable asset to any project. You won’t regret having Jeff and his team in your corner! Derrell

October 27, 2026

Elky Wilson

We cannot say enough good things about JRN Associates – Building on Budget by Design. From the very beginning, Jeff stood out for his honesty, transparency, and genuine commitment to doing what is best for us—not just what is easiest. We are still in the beginning processes, but we have a working blueprint that we’re happy with and we have no doubt that Jeff will work diligently on our behalf to get the best possible pricing from contractors, take the time to compare options and advocate for us every step of the way. We weren’t just handed a set of plans—we designed the blueprints together. He listened to what we wanted, offered thoughtful guidance, and helped shape a design that we absolutely love while keeping our budget front and center. What really sets Jeff apart is his integrity. He is a man of His word, plain and simple. There were no surprises, no pressure, and no hidden agendas—just clear communication and trust throughout the process. He introduced my husband and I to the Budget by Design method, which has empowered us to understand what we truly need, make informed decisions, and stay within our financial comfort zone. Finding Jeff and JRN Associates feels like a true blessing. We are incredibly grateful for his expertise, patience, and authenticity, and we would recommend him without hesitation to anyone looking for a transparent, trustworthy, and genuinely caring professional to guide them through the building process.

October 26, 2026

Hugh

Jeff Rice of JRN has been very helpful in our project. His background in architecture and construction are unique and a rare find in builders today. Jeff communicates well with his clients and is available to ask questions along the way . His mission is to match up your house dreams, while keeping more money in your wallet when the job is done. I believe you will have a good experience with JRN as your building professional.

September 30, 2026

Lynda Schoberth

We had a wonderful experience working with JRN. From the start, Jeffrey demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication, and expertise. Despite the challenges posed by our very small and sloping lot, he went above and beyond to provide valuable design advice and workable solutions to avoid future foundation problems that will save a lot of time and money to our home building plans. His commitment to ensuring the best outcome for us was evident in every interaction. Jeffrey's extensive architectural knowledge and proactive approach made a significant difference to make the hard decision to look for another property. We genuinely appreciated his honesty and concern for our best interests. He was always responsive, attentive, and willing to go the extra mile. If you're looking for a builder who is not only skilled on value engineering to save a lot of money, but also has a deep connection to the building trades in the Traverse City area, I highly recommend JRN Design Builders. Jeffry truly cares about his clients! We are grateful for his efforts and look forward to potentially working with him again in the future.

July 25, 2024

Andi Gentsy

Jeffrey is professional, quick and super easy to work with. We've altered our plans a few times and he had no problem adapting to our wants and needs. He is very easy to communicate with and responds back quickly. He walked our difficult lot (tall grass, weeds, trees, mounds etc) with no problem just so he can visualize the best way for our home. He does a great job at trying to incorporate our family with 2 young ones in our meetings, very family friendly.. I would highly recommend and we look forward to moving forward with our design.

November 17, 2021

Mike Gannon

We have had an excellent experience with JRN Design during the design and construction of our new home. We especially have appreciated the "Building on Budget by Design" process which provides complete cost transparency, as well as excellent collaboration in finding ways to reduce building cost while still providing a great looking and functional end product. We highly recommend JNR Design ... especially in the current construction environment.

November 11, 2021

cmunn

Top Notch communication throughout our project. Designed our dream cabin in the woods. Definitely worked hard for us with sub contractors to keep our project moving. Jeff is an honest and responsive contractor/designer with the integrity to do what’s best for his clients.

November 10, 2021

John and Miranda

We had the honor and privilege to work with one of the most amazing designers here in Norther Michigan! We worked with Jeff and we went through two iterations of the preliminary design stages over the past two months. After first round of design and moving on to pricing acquisitions, we found we were getting near our budget. We re-assessed the layout and decided we did not need a basement and Jeff was able to provide the same plan with all the rooms we needed in the second iteration of preliminary design. Furthermore, not only did he offer recommendations for more cost-savings, these changes also offered a new style for the house which we really love. This is a program everyone should consider especially during these crazy times where material and labor costs keep going up and up! Thanks, Jeff for providing such a positive experience for us! Many thanks, John and Miranda

March 8, 2021Last modified:March 17, 2021

Barbara Bolger

We are from out of state, and plan to build our retirement home in northern Michigan. We found Jeffrey online and met with him when we were in the area. The day after our meeting, we called him about a lot we found, and he hopped in his car and drove 30 minutes to meet us there and walk the land! His energy, enthusiasm, excitement, creativity, knowledge, and commitment have been evident from our first meeting. Jeff has been to our lot (we've since purchased it) three times, provided drawings and vision, answered our multitude of questions with expertise, and encouraged us to make this dream a reality while keeping in our budget. We have a couple of years before it's time to build, but we're very grateful for this type of "welcome" into this process that Jeff has given us. We're so looking forward to life in northern Michigan!

November 27, 2020

sharongermaine

The design work on our new home was great. JRN was able to create a unique rustic home on a our property. He took great care to consider all our wants and fit the home on a small hill with woods as a backdrop. Lots of windows allow us to see our beautiful property from all sides. He created a house that was not just standard, but had many specially designed features.

November 27, 2020

Ed Kraska

Jeffrey is a true professional. He did a wonderful job designing our addition which consisted of a family room, den and covered porch. The covered porch was the most challenging part of the design but Jeffrey made it happen and on budget. The covered porch was very important to my wife especially and we could not be more pleased. He is very caring, innovative and works hard to save his clients money on project costs. I would not hesitate for one minute to recommend him to others. He will work with his clients to come up with the best design on budget and often can find areas to save money.

April 4, 2020Last modified:April 4, 2020

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Doctor Ed,
I wish to sincerely thank you for your kind words. It was a very fun and enjoyable working with you on your project. I truly enjoyed working to find the truth in design and direction pursuant to both a plan of interest and price, considering the available options and resources. Thank you both for the opportunity it was truly a blessing! Sincerely, Jeffrey B. Rice JRN Design Associates llc and "Building on Budget by Design" (R)

Kellie Fink

Jeff is so helpful! He had amazing ideas and helped us with not only inspiration but with saving money as well! Really appreciate his help!!

December 12, 2019

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Hi Kellie,
It was really my pleasure to have the chance to work with you and your husband to seek plan options for greater value. You both had awesome and inspiring plan ideas! I wish you and your family all the best this Holiday Season! Cheers and Thank you!!
Jeffrey B. Rice
JRN Design Associates, llc
Building on Budget by Design (R)

Dave Fielstra

I have worked with Jeffrey Rice and JRN Design Associates llc and I would like to give a compliment to the very careful Design Build process he has and his desire for finding the best design solutions available for the clients construction budget. His process for "Building on Budget by Design" allows for the opportunity to value engineer the entire home and he is a pleasure to work with as well.

December 2, 2019

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Dave,
It is a real honor and privilege to have the chance to work with you and the very talented and skilled professional you are!

Thank you!
Sincerely,

Jeffrey B. Rice
JRN Design Associates, llc
Building on Budget by Design (R)

hnichols913

I have a ready to build plan that Jeff reviewed for me. WOW! He immediately saw several ways in which it was labor, read COST, intensive, and suggested how we could slightly change it, saving me a great deal of money while still allowing me to keep my style AND adding better functionality to the space. I do not give reviews easily but this company deserves it! I’d not hesitate to hire Jeff to not only design my next home, but to also build it! He knows his stuff! I just wish I had met him before I had the original plans drawn. Don’t make the same mistake I did, contact him FIRST!

November 14, 2019

C C

We hired Jeffrey initially to design our lake house remodel. He did an excellent job of listening to our wants and needs, and found a way to provide both within our budget. We were so pleased we hired him to function as our general contractor as we live out of state. He is honest and reliable and very talented. We absolutely recommend his service!

November 5, 2019

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear CC,
I sincerely would like to thank you for the opportunity to work with you on your project. It was a honor and privilege to create the design of interest working together finding the exciting opportunities we did for great savings and value. I sincerely look forward to remaining true to the "Building on Budget by Design" philosophy and guarantee moving forward to continue to discover the best direction and value collaboratively in the building of your addition project. Sincerely, Jeffrey B. Rice JRN Design and Building on Budget by Design R

Ken Moffitt

My wife and I worked with Jeff on a home design for a new build. Jeff’s focus is not only building on budget but designing with a budget in mind and creating designs, floorplans, and ultimately homes that were built in an efficient way with regard to labor, materials, and structure. We would definitely work with him again!

August 4, 2019

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Ken,
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to work with you creating the preliminary design package and pricing for your new home. It truly was fun looking at the options and I can not thank you enough for the great review and description provided supporting the mission for Building on Budget by Design! Thank you again and I also look forward to working with you again. Sincerely, Jeffrey B. Rice JRN Design Associates llc Building on Budget by Design R

Jeff Cavanaugh

Jeff has been really great to work with. Very knowledgeable and committed to keeping on budget. His approach to the build by design concept is really unique and it really works! We are first time home builders and his experience and process driven approach has been really helpful. We're very close to finalizing our design and I'm looking forward to getting the project started!!

January 2, 2019

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Jeff and Kurnia,
I am very grateful for the opportunity to develop your new home plans on Lake Michigan. I am also very grateful for the great review for JRN Design and Building on Budget by Design. I believe the final solutions created worked through complexity and for directions collaboratively with the trades that offered the best value. I wish you both the absolute best in your new home. Sincerely, Jeffrey B. Rice JRN Design Associates, llc Building on Budget by Design R

Jeremy Akins

As a building professional builder of 23 years I have had the great pleasure of working with Jeffery and JRN Design Associates. His work ethics, design philosophy and ability is extremely beneficial to anyone interested in accomplishing their true design interests, great value and budget control. The approved National A/A course Jeffrey has published for continuing education is a remarkable accomplishment and testament to his dedication and passion for Design and his genuine love for helping others find the truth with it.

December 31, 2018Last modified:January 9, 2019

Jason T

Jeff was a pleasure to work with. He was able to use his knowledge of the architecture/building process to give us a design under budget. I would highly recommend Jeff if you only have basic ideas of what you are looking for but are open minded to his money saving design ideas.

December 27, 2018

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Jason,

Thank you for your review. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with you to "Build on Budget by Design" and to find the right plan and design direction for your needs. I am also grateful for the suggestions the suppliers and trades were able to offer after we learned pricing. It truly is a privilege to be a part of a process that created a final design you were truly happy with and below your budget expectations.

Happy New Year Jason and Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey B. Rice
J.R.N. Design Associates, llc
Building on Budget by Design R

Nicholas Stachurski

It was great working with Jeffery. He was motivated to help find the best design options possible while being aware of our budget.

December 13, 2018

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Nick,

Thank you for your review. It really was a pleasure working with you on your project to discuss and generate available options of interest. It is truly amazing how the awareness of pricing and alternate design directions can bring forth inventive solutions or ideas that are better suited for ones needs above what was ever expected.

I am very pleased together we were able to find a great solution for your project.

Thank you again for the opportunity to assist!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey B. Rice
J.R.N. Design Associates, llc
Building on Budget by Design R

stoney creek construction

I have found JRN to be a highly talented, knowledgable and creative architect. Jeff's ability to assess a non comforming situation and present viable alternatives while still keeping fhe clients vision in mind, is essential as a custom builder when building with a fixed budget. Jeff was able to meet with my client, come up with 3 solid ideas, explain them, drawing it out giving them visual representation of there options. His process and technic for working through the design process while keeping an eye on costs, is essential in todays market. I have found JRN to be a solid company built on integrity and trust.

November 20, 2018

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Stoney Creek Construction,

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to work with your firm and your client. It was very pleasing to see the level of integrity and honesty you displayed, as well as your desire to truly work with the program to find cost effective building solutions.

Thank you again and I look forward to working with you soon to assist others in the same way.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey B. Rice
J.R.N. Design Associates llc
Building on Budget by Design R

Robert Peets

Jeffrey Rice has been a real pleasure to work with! I have been struggling with building a wood barn. The designers and builders I contacted before Jeffrey wanted to spend as little time as possible with my project. Jeffrey took his time exploring what I wanted to make sure I actually got it. Many people have an idea what they want to build, but because they don't have the knowledge base , the=y end up with something different. Jeffery made sure to answer all my questions and make sure what he designed was exactly what I wanted. Jeffrey's value design process makes sure to deliver the plan I want at the most economical price. He has saved me thousands over other designers!

March 19, 2018

Houtan N

Jeff was great, helped me with my project to the end. We had a renovation project and Jeff provided excellent advice and overall service to the end. Their slogan "Build on Budget by Design" was exactly on par with my project. Many thanks!!!

December 7, 2017

Comment from JRN Design Associates llc:

Dear Houtan,

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to help with your project. It was a true pleasure to work with you.

It is a great joy to be able to work in collaboration towards the, "truth in design" for my clients with those in the building industry willing and interested in accomplishing the same for the best results possible.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey B. Rice
J.R.N. Design Associates, llc
"Building on Budget by Design" R

Jeremy S

Integrity and honesty in any business are hard to find. Not the case with Jeff. From the beginning of my house design project Jeff put me in the drivers seat. Jeff encouraged, coached, and lent expert advice through the whole process. He has a natural eye for artistry and a refined program to keep you on budget. In a world that asks you to spend more for less, Jeff enables you to spend less for more. At every turn if there was good news or bad, Jeff had suggestions on how to refine the plan to stay on track. We never got too far ahead in the design to where we couldn't make a change. If you are looking to build a custom home yourself or with a builder I would highly recommend you use JRN Design Associates to work with you. Whether your budget is small or large if you are not "building on budget by design" you're doing it wrong! Thanks Jeff!

September 6, 2017

Mark Karzon

Jeff looks at the building process non-traditionally. While working with the customer, he prides himself on building value into every aspect of the process resulting in a more informed consumer coupled with a lower cost. Great job Jeff!

August 15, 2017

Justin W.

I spoke with Jeff about designing an addition to our home and he was extremely helpful. Jeff took the time to talk to me about the details of the project and potential solutions. He was very thorough and his expertise were obvious. Due to some setbacks in the project, I was unable to hire Jeff during our first call. If the project goes through, Jeff will be the first person I call to hire to design our addition. I highly recommend discussing the design to any of your projects with Jeff before pursuing!

June 2, 2017

Scott Jones

Jeff came to us highly recommended and he has exceeded our expectations from the beginning. We were looking for someone who would take our ideas and design concepts and craft them into a beautiful functional home that meets both our vision and construction budget. His process for "Building on Budget by Design" allows one to see the concepts requested, but goes much further and illustrates how to potentially improve upon it for either design sake or practicality and efficiency. It's all about design and budget acquisition relative to your true needs and valuable inventive solutions to accomplish it without compromise. The value that JRN Design Associates, llc brings to the table is immeasurable, first based on the dedication to the client's design needs and secondly with the collaborative effort and information regarding pricing, plan adjustments and valuable trades. We feel fortunate to have him working with us and become more certain with each step that we could not have made a better choice.

February 24, 2017Last modified:February 24, 2017

Julie J

Jeff is a great listener and communicates well. He was able to help me with the design phase of my remodel in a fraction of the time that other designers wanted to spend drawing plans that I wasn’t even sure I would like. I would be glad to work with him again.

January 25, 2017

cheezewhiz

We have had the pleasure of working with JRN for designing our first home. Jeff Rice has been a great asset in this daunting task. He has guided us through each phase of the project thus far. He was able to design our dream home, all the while maximizing square footage and keeping us within our budget.

December 23, 2016

Regina Dudley

Jeffrey far exceeds his company's motto "Building on a budget by design". We contracted him to design our home and was very pleased with his creativity, passion for efficient cost containment, work ethic and timely delivery. We were able to work real time over a long distance in a very positive collaborative way. I highly recommend JRN for your design project.

December 15, 2016

maherbacall

The reason why I enjoyed working with Jeff is I really like the fact he takes the vision you have and tweaks it to make it bigger, more spacious and more cost efficient. Jeff has a unique way of restructuring what you want to do to get you more space and also save you money-- getting you more bang for your buck. For him, it's not about the money, it's about his passion for the work.

December 14, 2016

Jim Truck

Jeff is an extremely competent professional. Working with him is a pleasure. He thinks outside the box while bringing his client's design objectives into a concise set of usable plans. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is contemplating a building or remodeling project.

December 7, 2016

Chris Kennedy

Jeffrey has offered insight and vision into our ongoing project which has been invaluable. He has a keen eye and a straightforward approach which directly, and even indirectly, simultaneously lead to a better end result with substantial savings. His overall knowledge of the industry, trades, energy cost savings, and alternate solutions result in a better outcome for all. I highly recommend JRN Designs to anyone seeking excellence.

December 7, 2016

builderstorchlake

The architect designed an addition, doubling the size of the business. He took the design that I gave him and modified it significantly to include the existing structures that were already there and saved us a ton of money. Would recommend.

October 4, 2016

kaseplace

J.R.N. has exceeded our expectations in how responsive, quick and creative he has been in working with us to create house plans. His first set of plans arrived within 24 hours of meeting with us. Jeffrey has had the patience of Job in creating alternative plans and revisions as we explore all of the various possibilities. We are learning how we can creatively maintain our modest budget without sacrificing quality or style. For example we are using a square footprint for our bungalow that includes the garage, eliminating the need for two foundations and two sets of trusses. J.R.N. is all about using design to build within budget and this gives us peace of mind.

December 27, 2015

cobrar1993

Jeffrey Rice and J.R.N. Design Associates essentially has a revision-less design process that is allowing us to work through to better planning solutions with the knowledge of competitive pricing and design development. Jeffrey is providing real guidance that is help us truly be in control of our plan and construction costs. We feel empowered and confident we will "Build on Budget by Design" as others have been able to do. Thank you Jeffrey !

December 23, 2015

Jesse Schnitker

August 28, 2015 It didn’t take my wife and I long to discover the ease in which building a new home could blow a budget, resulting in a precipitous amount of debt. We also realized that designing our dream home would need to take our budget, as much as our design needs and tastes into account, and JRN’s “Building on Budget by Design” program was exactly what we were looking for. We have now completed the design phase of our project and are currently in the early stages of soliciting contractor pricing. The program has been as good as advertised. Jeff has done a great job of developing creative ways to do things while keeping our costs down. Jeff has also been an extremely useful resource in the bidding process. The program has proved to us that working within a budget does not necessarily have to mean sacrificing your vision for your future home. Thanks to Jeff for his hard work, professionalism, optimism, and continued perseverance. We are looking forward to a beautiful finished product with his help.

September 3, 2015

Nielsen Construction Services

As a local builder, I've worked with Jeff on multiple projects in the past year and can say without reservation that the level of dedication and commitment that Jeff brings to the table is far and above any other designer or architect that I've worked with. His ability to get jobs done and his availability at each bend in the road is truly remarkable. In this recent era of labor shortages and an almost acceptable level of absence by most professionals in the construction industry, it's extremely telling of Jeff's character that he's always a phone call away and always seems to make the time and be available when others are nowhere to be found. The reason for this is simple: Jeff loves what he does and it shows with the quality of his work and his willingness to do whatever it takes to deliver. I look forward to many years of working with Jeff. I wish that others in our industry brought similar qualities and traits to the table. Ken Nielsen Nielsen Construction Services, LLC Imagine, Design, Build

August 24, 2015

Ken A

My wife and I were both relieved to have the experience, creativity, and value of having Jeff on our new home construction team. His talent and passion for design truly shows. Jeff is a gentleman to work with and a pleasure to be around. Thank you Jeff.

August 18, 2015

captpaulgrn

I found Jeff to be extremely professional and enthusiastic towards meeting my goals and budget. Jeff spent many hours focused on my project needs and discovered an alternative route in our layout which saved us large sums of money, time, and yard space. I have done 2 other major building projects in the past without the help of a designer, after meeting with Jeff and watching his process of leaving no idea unexplored, I realise I have left a lot of money on the table in past projects. I feel that Jeff only has the client's interest at heart, is honest, and extremely capable of providing the services and savings he makes claim too. Moreover he only recommends vendors and contractors who share in his honesty and professional values...Client needs and budget first, let reasonable profit follow at a distant second.

May 18, 2015

househouse77

I run a sawmill in Mesick MI and have been planning on building a house using my own materials for years. I've talked to numerous builders and architects but no one seemed to be interested in really helping me with my project. Then I called JRN Design. From that first conversation I had with Jeffrey I knew that he was someone I wanted to work with. We met and spent three hours talking about services that he could offer and the direction that I wanted to take in the design of my new home. He was genuinely interested in getting the design I requested while also maintaining the budget I required. The vision JRN showed in designing my home was amazing! Jeff took what I wanted and gave me alternate design suggestions and saved me literally tens of thousands of dollars while keeping the look I wanted. In short I didn't get stuck with the costly inefficient design direction I first requested, but was able to understand and learn how to receive greater plan efficiency with the combination of planning and competetive pricing. Truly staggering what I was able to discover and save with JRN! I cannot recommend their services highly enough. Thanks Jeffrey for helping me to "Build on Budget by Design".

February 24, 2015

mongrel19

It was really nice working with a professional designer like Jeffrey from JRN Design Associates llc. Not only does Jeff have the creative vision and knowledge to generate on paper what we had in our minds, he provided much more value by incorporating real cost information, competitively, along with helpful plan adjustments to ensure that the project would fit our budget. Dave Bieganowski Green Lake, MI

February 23, 2015

zl13

We contacted Jeffrey B. Rice from JRN Design Associates on-line and soon after meeting him felt confident of his design skills and his desire to provide a home plan direction that fits our lifestyle and construction budget. JRN Design, in unison with his associate builder’s program, allowed us to competitively price our project. He actually provided two different directions; one at a conservative level and the other at a grander scale. With an ability to analyze different builder’s pricing structures through J.R.N.’s design process, we were very pleased that JRN positioned us to receive the grander scaled plan direction, within the guidelines of our desired budget! Additionally, he offered continued design support during construction that allowed us to adjust the plan to reduce roof costs further. Zach Liggett. Elk Rapids, MI.

February 23, 2015

t1234jt

I have been working with Jeff Rice now for about a year or so with goal of designing and building our dream home in Cedar Michigan. Until now it had been nearly impossible to find building professionals who are truly looking out for me. Jeff has shown that his sole objective is to design a home that meets my needs and wants while at the same time tenaciously trying to save me money. He has been tremendously resourceful and creative in his approach to finding the most cost effective ways to build our home. Jeff has a great ability to take my napkin type scribbles and turn them into an elegant design on paper. But he is more than just a designer. His contacts and resources have helped to save us a great deal of money and he has helped us to muddle through the complicated building process. I am very appreciative of Jeff. I couldn't imagine building our home without him on our team. -Jim Travioli,

February 11, 2015

Bay View Pines

After my first meeting with Jeff Rice, I immediately concluded that it would be prudent for me to have him re-design my two building, 5 unit condo project. This was a big step for me in that I had already spent considerable monies with other firms on existing plans. In any event, we set about working together to achieve that end. Jeff has re-vitalized the project with substantial cost saving design improvements. Jeff Rice is creative and diligent. He communicates well and responsively. I will engage JRN Design Associates on other projects and would highly reccomend the firm for other client/job opportunities. Wayne Kiley Developer/Owner

February 10, 2015

Roger Smith

We are still in the design phase of our project, but I wanted to write about our experience up to this point. With creativity and economic sensibilty, Jeff Rice at JRN Design has helped us answer several big questions as we try to shape our addition. He listens to our ideas and then presents other options that might work better at a lower cost, if possible. I'm sure we will be extremely happy in the end, with a good balance of form and function.

May 22, 2014

67gtx

JRN was recommended to me by a friend here in the Detroit area. I am so glad I found Jeff Rice. We are in the planning stages for a new home in Suttons Bay Twp. He has always been available to meet with us, walk the property and always promptly returns phone calls and e-mails. We are already seeing the benefits of his "staying on budget by design". He has significant experience in the field and his ideas are innovative. It is obvious that his priority is to please us; the customers, and to keep our costs to a minimum. When our wish list comes up hard against the budget, he has not failed to come up with ideas that lets us have the best of both worlds. We are excited to go through the process and move in to the final product. Again, I feel very fortunate to have found Jeff Rice and I definitely would recommend him to a close friend.

May 21, 2014

7919

We hired Jeff Rice last year to work with us on designing our retirement home. He took our thoughts about what we wanted to have in our custom home and designed it better than we had imagined. He walked us through every part of the design process and what he came up with surpassed our dreams. Anytime we called with a question he would answer or meet with us. Jeff is very easy to talk to and excellent at designing and staying within your budget. Our house is in the building stage right now and we have gotten great comments on our design. We have given Jeff's name to a few people who were interested in working with him. Thanks Jeff, for our wonderful retirement home and we will continue to pass along JRN Design.

May 20, 2014Last modified:August 27, 2014

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as part of our comprehensive design-build services, we manage all necessary permitting and approvals for your project. Our goal is to streamline the process, ensuring a smooth and compliant journey from the initial design phase through to construction completion. We handle the details so you can focus on your vision.

Yes, I am a Licensed Builder in the State of Michigan, holding license #2101221654. This ensures that your project is handled by a qualified professional. While our provided data sources confirm my licensing, they do not explicitly detail our insurance coverage. However, as a professional design-build firm, we maintain appropriate insurance for all our projects to protect our clients and our work.

Our design-build process prioritizes custom home design and your construction budget. It includes architectural design, detailed drawings, 3D renderings, and comprehensive project management. We focus on our 'Building on Budget by Design' philosophy, identifying cost efficiencies in areas like roof construction, framing, and site preparation. This approach ensures competitive pricing and a transparent understanding of your project's costs and design directions.

Ensuring projects stay within budget is central to our 'Building on Budget by Design' philosophy. We achieve this by meticulously planning and combining it with competitive pricing. We proactively identify areas where costly over-design can occur, such as roof construction, framing, and site preparation, to find efficiencies. This transparent approach allows clients to understand comparable design directions and costs, ensuring we deliver your vision without compromising your budget.

Yes, we absolutely handle both architectural design and construction. As a licensed design-build firm, our owner, Jeffrey Brian Rice, holds a degree in Architecture and is a Licensed Builder in Michigan. This dual expertise allows us to provide seamless integration from initial concept and architectural drawings through to the complete construction of your custom home, addition, or renovation project.

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JRN Design Associates llc

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Awards

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27 Projects

Peninsula Township New Builds

Complete Log Home Remodel + Restoration

Peninsula Township Prairie Style New Home

Long Lake Story and 1/2 Ranch Home

Long Lake Ranch Style New Home

Crystal Mt

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48 Reviews for JRN Design Associates llc

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