We bought a cool mid-century modern house that was full of bad 1980s updates, so we wanted to hire…read morean architect to help us turn it into our dream home. Although there was plenty of room in the house for two of us, the space was not well-planned. We were feeling overwhelmed by what needed to be done in our new home, and hiring Ken to design our interior was easily the best decision that we made. He took the time to get to know us and we felt he really understood our needs and how we would use each area of our home. There were many design challenges and Ken's out of the box thinking both met those challenges and improved the space. He was very easy to work with and his calm energy was a perfect fit for us. We knew from the plans that our house would be spectacular when finished, and it definitely exceeded those expectations. Everything about the house is improved, and there are a couple of the design elements that consistently draw an amazed response from visitors to our home.

Setting a goal to build an ADU was both scary and exciting, since I have had terrible experiences…read morewith construction professionals in past projects. I knew I needed someone, who was knowledgeable about local ADU laws and the nuance in the construction process to help us make this dream come true. After interviewing different companies, we ended up hiring Ken and his team at One World Architecture. Ken and his team's professionalism was second to none. They were quick to respond whenever I have inquiries. Ken understands the process is scary for homeowners, and never made us feel that our concerns weren't important, no matter how insignificant they were. He was not only our architect, but he was also our therapist during this process. He listened to our needs, provided ideas we never even considered, and set up multiple meeting until we found the right contractor. He didn't just design and let us fend for ourselves. He was proud of his work and guide us though the completion of the project. I now have a beautiful home office, a place for my elder parents to live in and an opportunity to supplement my retirement income many years down the road. I'd recommend One World Architecture wholeheartedly. In fact, I had so much joy working with Ken, I would personally vouch for him to work on any of my families' and friends' projects. I know they will be taken care of!

I am an apartment owner/investor and want to let other apartment owners know about my experience…read morewith Reverence Engineering. Last year, I obtained an inspection of the deck and balcony at my family's 10 unit apartment complex in order to comply with Senate Bill 721. After learning that our cantilevered balcony needed structural work, I began calling engineering firms. I chose Reverence Engineering because I wanted to work with a smaller firm and I was impressed with my initial call with principal engineer Brett Sauers. During that conversation, he explained in simple terms how he would approach creating plans and seeking permits for a major retrofit of our balcony walkway. From there, I was kept well informed by email at every step of the way. Because I live out of state and was not able to be present for any site visits, Brett prepared an explanatory video for me so that I could see exactly what he was seeing and understand how we could solve the structural challenges. The draft plans were ready more quickly than I expected and Brett personally addressed all my questions with patience and precision. The City took longer than I had hoped to do its plan review, but Brett's staff sent me weekly updates. In addition, they walked me through all the forms that I needed to sign so it ended up being a pain-free process from start to finish. I really couldn't be happier with the attentiveness of Brett and his team, as well as the outcome. They deserve accolades for exceptional structural engineering work, at a very reasonable cost.

I submitted a request to Reverence for an Architect in early January 2026, I received a call back…read morefrom Brett to go over the services Reverence provides and their approach to support the clients. At the end of the call, Brett stated he would work on the contract and send over for review. The following week, I called Reverence to better understand the timeline for contract creation so I could maintain realistic expectations; I was told I should have the contract that day (January 13) or the following day (January 14). I contacted Reverence on January 20, after not receiving a response and was advised a message would be sent to Brett for an update. I again did not receive a response (no callback nor email) and contacted Reverence on January 22 and again on February 2, and was provided a similar response (that I should receive the contract soon if not today or the next). I subsequently left a message on February 4, indicating that I no longer wished to proceed with their services and would look elsewhere. I have no doubt that Reverence provides customers with solid service once contracted, however, I find it is equally important to effectively communicate with prospective clients to ensure transparency. I would have gladly waited a few more weeks if that was the standard and was communicated to me. Hopefully future clients will have a better experience.

Chris and his team are great! They listen to what you want, what you need, and your budget. They're…read moreplans are great and design is top notch. They are also VERY reasonably priced.

From the owner: 85 Design started to help homeowners go from project design to building permit. Because of…read morehomeowners like you, we became the company we are today. Our mission is to help bring great ideas to life and make it easy for the client during the process.

So helpful! Ian has brought value with every phone call…read more He comes highly recommended by several real estate agents/colleagues, too, and that referral works for me! Looking forward to working with you on my upcoming project!

Ian Scattergood to the rescue!…read more I had a nightmare experience that lasted about 1.5 years. Thank God I found Ian. What may have been my nightmare was just another day in Ian's life. This is what he does professionally--he helps people navigate the uncertainty of obtaining permits for things that were built without them--and he's damn good at it too! We had several unpermitted items in our backyard, and a neighbor reported us to the city. The code enforcement department came, issued violation fees, and gave us a notice requiring that we either get the items permitted or tear them down. I had no idea where to start, and with three kids (including a newborn) and a business to run, the whole situation felt overwhelming. I found Ian on Google and immediately reached out. He guided me through the process of getting the permits approved. He came out, measured everything, told me in advance what would likely be called out by the city inspector, advised me on what needed to be fixed, drew up all the plans, submitted the paperwork to the city, and even printed and dropped off the plans for approval. He also communicated directly with the code enforcement officer on my behalf. There was even a moment when the inspector asked for an update to the plans. Ian stepped back in and made the necessary revisions. Throughout the entire process--and even after--it was easy to reach him via phone, text, or email. I can't thank Ian enough for getting the ball rolling on this project for me. When it first happened I was so overwhelmed that I felt like I did not have it in me to take the first step... actually I had no clue what the first step even was.. so I probably would've been walking in the wrong direction (lol), but with Ian's help I got through it. It wasn't easy, but it was possible with him by my side. I highly recommend Ian to anyone going through a similar situation. Thank you so much, Ian; a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders thanks to you!

Hi Doug, I hope that…read moreall is well. I've been admiring your designs and work for quite some time. Feel free to reach out to me if you ever have an ORCO Block questions, or request. Hennesys Hernandez Architectural Sales 760-799-4925 hennesys.hernandez@orco.com

I wanted to remodel my home but found "design build" type companies lacking in any real depth of…read morearchitecture and art history. I'm a bit of an academic type and a history buff and wanted to work with someone with similar interest and knowledge who could not just help me bring my ideas into reality, but could introduce me to new ones as well. Douglas exceeded my expectations!! He made a fixed price for what he called the "Design Phase" and then proceeded to take took me through as many ideas and versions of plans that I could ever have dream of, and then some!! He was extremely sensitive to not just functional things like sizes of rooms and circulation, but also had a great sense of natural lighting, proportions and architectural style. Working with Douglas was a pleasure. He was patient, generous with his time, and together we came up with a plan that I'm very proud of. Of course doing a remodel can be scary, but I was so confident with our final design that bringing it into reality was actually fun and exciting!!! I can truly say that, if you want to work with a highly skilled, creative, patient and generous architect, choose Doug Simon Architecture!!

I want to start by saying that I'm genuinely grateful this long process finally ended with my…read morepermit being approved. Having the resolution was a relief, and the job captain became responsive toward the very end. Unfortunately, the overall experience with Streamline Design & Permitting was extremely difficult, and I think future clients deserve a clear and factual account of what occurred. Background I purchased a home where the previous owner had illegally converted storage space into a studio unit. When I received a code violation, I began the permitting process with another company, but their drafter became unavailable mid-project. That gave me a point of comparison for transparency, communication, and timelines. I interviewed two new companies. One said submission would take 3-4 weeks; Streamline promised submission within one week. Because I was losing rental income, I chose Streamline based on their faster timeline. In reality, the kickoff call didn't happen for a week, and the first submission went in roughly three weeks after hiring them. That slow start reflected the rest of what became a nine-month process. 1. Lack of Transparency The previous company had been clear about timelines, what the City typically requires, and how reviews worked. Streamline did not offer the same level of transparency. I repeatedly asked for City comments so I could understand progress, but I almost never received them directly. The only reason I became aware of several major issues was because the previous drafting company was still copied on City emails and forwarded them to me. This created the impression that I was not getting full visibility into City feedback or into avoidable errors being made. 2. Repeated Avoidable Mistakes Several errors added delays and extra rounds of review: * The first submission labeled the unit as a JADU, even though I explained during the kickoff call that my zoning does not allow a JADU. * When the title was corrected, the internal sheets still referenced "JADU" throughout. * After a phone call I requested with the City--where reviewers clearly stated the space must be submitted as a non-habitable owner's office unless I pursued an ADU--Streamline resubmitted it as "living space." This contradicted explicit City direction and triggered additional comments, delays, and added costs. When I asked about the error, I was given an explanation referencing terminology used on another project rather than a clear acknowledgment that a mistake had been made. None of these issues were proactively disclosed. 3. Invoicing and Lack of Clarity I repeatedly asked for a breakdown of how the billed hours were spent. The previous drafting company separated administrative coordination from drafting work. Streamline billed everything at drafting rates without itemization, including tasks like forwarding emails, coordination, and follow-ups--some of which I ultimately handled myself. When I requested clarification, the responses felt defensive rather than explanatory. 4. Communication Tone From Leadership When I expressed concerns about transparency and billing, the CEO's response felt dismissive. He stated that if I didn't like their pricing, I should have hired someone else, and noted that questioning hours could result in the project being placed on hold. This was after nine months of delays and multiple attempts on my part to express concerns constructively. 5. After the Permit Was Finally Approved Despite everything, I reached out again for the next phase (an ADU conversion) because I hoped Streamline might handle the next stage more smoothly, especially since the job captain I had worked with was no longer with the company. I requested drafting support only--not submission--so I could personally manage communication with the City. Instead of a drafting-only scope, I received a large proposal priced as if the project was starting from scratch. When I requested my CAD files so I could hire a different drafter, Streamline asked for additional fees. I ended up hiring a new drafter who is recreating the plans for less than Streamline quoted to update the existing ones. Summary Streamline presents very confidently on the sales side, but in my experience the drafting quality was inconsistent, mistakes were not acknowledged, transparency was limited, and communication lacked accountability. The job captain was pleasant and responsive at the end, but there were many avoidable errors throughout the process. The experience was far more stressful, time-consuming, and expensive than it needed to be. Final Note Streamline's contract includes a non-disparagement clause. Everything above reflects documented facts: dated emails, City correspondence, the project timeline, and written communication with Streamline. My intention is to provide an accurate account so future homeowners can make an informed decision.

Working with Devin and his team has been an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Their attention…read moreto detail and organization is unmatched -- every set of plans we've built from them has been clear, complete, and thoughtfully designed. As a contractor, that level of precision makes all the difference. They know the permitting process inside and out, and it shows. What could have been a drawn-out headache turned into a seamless, well-managed experience. Highly recommend to any homeowner or builder looking for a true professional partner in San Diego.

Kristin was referred to us by friends. We sat down with her back in 2016 and she came up with a…read morefabulous plan for pop-out and remodel of our kitchen. It was everything we wanted, large center island, no upper cabinets so we could have windows all around the kitchen area, walk-in pantry and a wine cellar. It just took us 1-1/2 years to get started....not sure what we were doing in that time because our kitchen is absolutely stunning! We chose one of her contractor referrals, W.A.Jackson Construction, and they were great to work with and did a fabulous job.

Kristin designed our master bath remodel and acted as the general contractor for the job. She made…read morethe whole thing so easy, from helping us decide what we wanted, to making sure the job got done on time. I would highly recommend her and look forward to working with her in the future on other house projects.

Brandon was really helpful on our phone conversation. He explained what we need to do. He spent all…read morekind of time with us we will be using BVM DESIGN for our project

Brandon was great to work with on the design of our two story home addition. From concept to…read morepermit in hand everything went smoothly. Thank you for all of you expertise. We are happy to recommend BVM Design!

I want to write this review to express our gratitude with working with such an amazing and kind…read moreArchitect. Dale Combs has helped my husband and I in figuring out where we could design/ build an ADU on our property. He meet with us for over and 1 and explained the ins and out of building an ADU. He was very patient with us as we were learning the process. If you want to work with a kind, knowledgeable, and patient architect Dale is your guy. I wish the world would have more people to work with like Dale. Dale we greatly appreciate you and your time.

From the owner: Graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, Dale…read morefounded his own architectural practice in 1981 specializing in the management and design of residential projects. His first project was awarded best multi-family design by the San Diego Building Industry Association. This recognition, along with others for innovative design led to numerous housing, resort hotel, and yacht club commissions. Dale's work is recognized for its "warm livability" achieved through the use of natural materials and inspired design. He has also demonstrated a unique talent for developing consensus opinion while working on group projects. Dale currently conducts workshops for homeowners and yacht club committee members on project planning, team formation, and the construction process. He also serves on the Board of Directors of an 85 unit non-profit HUD subsidized housing community for seniors, and has recently volunteered with GRID Alternatives, a non-profit solar

I hired Rummy from IL Total Design for a major three-story remodel permit that included adding…read moresignificant square footage, and she exceeded expectations in every way! This was not a simple cosmetic project -- it was a complex build with structural changes, multiple levels, and a lot of moving parts in a coastal zone. Throughout the process, Rummy was incredibly resilient. Whenever challenges came up (and with a project this size, they always do), she stayed solution-oriented and kept the project moving forward without hesitation. She was also extremely responsive. Calls were returned, questions were answered quickly, and updates were consistent. I never had to chase her down ever! Communication was clear and direct, which makes a huge difference on a large remodel. What stands out most is her "get it done" mentality. She doesn't give up no matter what the city says -- takes ownership and executes. She handled everything with professionalism and confidence. If you're looking for an architect/design team that is dependable, responsive, resilient, and truly delivers results -- IL Total Design is the perfect choice!

I met Rummy Dechner, owner and lead architect with IL Total, via a design/build firm last year for…read morean ADU project. Eventually, I fired the firm (read my other review), but Rummy stayed with us to help us move forward. Without a city approved design we already sunk $25k into (most of which she probably didn't make) we depended on her almost daily for the first few months after the mess with not one but a second builders as well. We were going solo through the toughest part of the ADU process. I mean we really, really depended on her. Rummy drove this to the end for the permit to finally be granted to us. Through thick and thin she'd be there with updates and keeping us in the loop about forms, payments, and any changes she was forced to make, etc. The design itself is beautiful. She's not only talented but honest and dependable. Answers all questions. Rummy knows ADUs and the ins and outs of city permitting headaches and most of all she's loyal to her clients. I didn't know her firm also does builds as well. If only I met them at the beginning I could have saved myself a ton of time and heartache. Highly recommend! Look at her YouTube channel for all of the ADUs she has designed throughout San Diego. https://youtube.com/@iltotaldesign?si=Lh4BJ_pdmOK5OFG9