Straight answers about designing, renovating, and building in the South Sound — from architect fees and zoning to budgets, builders, and the mistakes worth avoiding.

Andrew Mikhael Architect
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Design-Bid-Build Is Dead

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Why Some Architects Won't Tell You What They Charge (And Why I Do)
Why Some Architects Won't Tell You What They Charge (And Why I Do)
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Locked Into a Low Mortgage Rate in the South Sound?
Locked Into a Low Mortgage Rate in the South Sound?
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Categories

ARCHITECT COSTS & FEES
What architects cost and what you’re paying for

BUILDING WITHIN THE LINES
Zoning, permitting, & land

SMART DESIGN DECISIONS
Design, costs, & construction

THINKING OUT LOUD
Andrew’s perspective

CASE STUDIES
Real projects, decisions, & lessons

DESIGN PILGRIMAGES
Architecture experienced firsthand

Design Pilgrimages

Latest Articles

Featured
What Caulk (Not Grout) in Your Shower Corners Tells You About the Build
Smart Design Decisions
What Caulk (Not Grout) in Your Shower Corners Tells You About the Build
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
What hidden costs should I be aware of when hiring an architect for a major remodel?
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
What hidden costs should I be aware of when hiring an architect for a major remodel?
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
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Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
Before You Fall in Love With a Lot, Call Someone Who Can Read Between The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Before You Fall in Love With a Lot, Call Someone Who Can Read Between The Lines
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Why Some Architects Won't Tell You What They Charge (And Why I Do)
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
Why Some Architects Won't Tell You What They Charge (And Why I Do)
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
Read more →
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
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Building Within The Lines
Pierce County Critical Areas: What They Are, Why They Matter, and Why 2026 Is Different
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
What Does a Pre-App Screening Actually Accomplish?
Building Within The Lines
What Does a Pre-App Screening Actually Accomplish?
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Aging in Place Is More Than a Single-Story Home
Smart Design Decisions
Aging in Place Is More Than a Single-Story Home
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Elements of Luxurious Bathing
Smart Design Decisions
Elements of Luxurious Bathing
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
What Are Renovation Probes, and Why Do They Matter?
Smart Design Decisions
What Are Renovation Probes, and Why Do They Matter?
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
How Do I Compare Architect Fees?
Building Within The Lines, Architect Costs & Fees
How Do I Compare Architect Fees?
Building Within The Lines, Architect Costs & Fees
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Building Within The Lines, Architect Costs & Fees
Do you actually need an ADU — or just a well-designed guest wing?
Building Within The Lines
Do you actually need an ADU — or just a well-designed guest wing?
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Building Your Dream Home In Tacoma WA
Smart Design Decisions
Building Your Dream Home In Tacoma WA
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Locked Into a Low Mortgage Rate in the South Sound?
Smart Design Decisions
Locked Into a Low Mortgage Rate in the South Sound?
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Fox Island Home Remodel: What You Need to Know First
Smart Design Decisions
Fox Island Home Remodel: What You Need to Know First
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Remodel or Tear Down and Rebuild? How to Decide | Fox Island & Gig Harbor
Smart Design Decisions
Remodel or Tear Down and Rebuild? How to Decide | Fox Island & Gig Harbor
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Architect, Drafter, or Design-Build: How to Decide
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
Architect, Drafter, or Design-Build: How to Decide
Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
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Smart Design Decisions, Architect Costs & Fees
We Just Bought Land. Now What?
Building Within The Lines
We Just Bought Land. Now What?
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Why Three Bids Matter (And Why They’re Not Enough)
Smart Design Decisions
Why Three Bids Matter (And Why They’re Not Enough)
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
5 Zoning Mistakes That Kill Custom Home Projects (Before You Even Start)
Building Within The Lines
5 Zoning Mistakes That Kill Custom Home Projects (Before You Even Start)
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Why 'We'll Figure It Out Later' Costs So Much More
Building Within The Lines
Why 'We'll Figure It Out Later' Costs So Much More
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Chase the Sun....at Home
Smart Design Decisions
Chase the Sun....at Home
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
4 Red Flags When Hiring an Architect
Smart Design Decisions
4 Red Flags When Hiring an Architect
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
We Treat Our Tomatoes Better Than Ourselves
Smart Design Decisions
We Treat Our Tomatoes Better Than Ourselves
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Why Waterfront Remodels Need Feasibility Before Design—And What That Actually Means
Smart Design Decisions
Why Waterfront Remodels Need Feasibility Before Design—And What That Actually Means
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions
Best Books for Aspiring Architects - 2026 edition
Thinking Out Loud
Best Books for Aspiring Architects - 2026 edition
Thinking Out Loud
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Thinking Out Loud
Beyond the Backyard Cottage: The "Missing Middle" Gold Rush
Building Within The Lines
Beyond the Backyard Cottage: The "Missing Middle" Gold Rush
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
The Hidden "Third Way" to Sell Your ADU in Tacoma
Building Within The Lines
The Hidden "Third Way" to Sell Your ADU in Tacoma
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
Buying Land for Your Toys?
Building Within The Lines
Buying Land for Your Toys?
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
The Teardown Trap: When a "Remodel" Legally Becomes a New Build
Building Within The Lines
The Teardown Trap: When a "Remodel" Legally Becomes a New Build
Building Within The Lines
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Building Within The Lines
The "Thanksgiving Test": Designing a Hood Canal Retreat for 2 People... and 20.
Smart Design Decisions
The "Thanksgiving Test": Designing a Hood Canal Retreat for 2 People... and 20.
Smart Design Decisions
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Smart Design Decisions

— From The YouTube Channel

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Design-Bid-Build Is Dead

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Architects To Avoid

What’s Wrong with These $1.2m Modern Homes