Why hire us?
- County permittingHarris, Fort Bend and Waller all govern parts of Katy. We identify yours and permit through it.
- HOA approvalThe master-planned communities here review everything. We design to their guidelines and get quick approvals.
- City reviewLots inside the City of Katy go through the city’s own review. We prepare the set it expects.
- Soils and foundationKaty prairie clay is expansive. The foundation gets engineered to your geotech report, not a rule of thumb.
- EngineeringStructural is standard, MEP when the home warrants it — all coordinated under one roof.
- Interior designFinishes, fixtures and materials selected together with the plan, so the inside matches the architecture.
One address, three counties
A Katy address does not tell you who governs your lot. It could be the city, or Harris, Fort Bend or Waller county — three different offices with three different rulebooks.
We find out which one applies to your land before we draw anything. That way your permit goes to the right desk the first time, instead of bouncing back weeks later.
Communities we design in:
- Avalon at Seven Meadows
- Windsor Park Lakes
- Grand Harbor
- Cinco Ranch
- Avalon at Spring Green
- Kelliwood
- Nottingham Country
- Grand Lakes
- Seven Meadows
- Firethorne
- Cane Island
- Green Trails
- Elyson
- Falcon Point
- Old Town Katy
Frequently asked questions
My address says Katy. Doesn’t that mean the City of Katy?
Usually not. The postal area called Katy is far bigger than the city. Most Katy-address homes sit in unincorporated Harris or Fort Bend county, and the city itself touches three counties. The parcel decides who reviews you, not the mailbox.
So who actually issues my permit?
Inside the city limits, the City of Katy. Outside them, the county your lot sits in. We confirm the jurisdiction from the parcel records before we draw, because the rules differ.
Do you do remodels and additions in Katy, or just new homes?
Both, plus new construction. The older neighborhoods near I-10 are full of houses worth opening up — and the lots there are bigger than anything new for the same money.
Can I tear down an older house in Nottingham Country or Kelliwood and rebuild?
Yes, and it is becoming common. Mature trees, established streets, no waiting on a new section to develop. The deed restrictions govern what replaces the house, so we read them before sketching.
What does building run per square foot here?
Figure $175 to $300 per square foot of construction cost. Foundation, structure, glass and finish level decide where in that band you land.
What do you charge to design?
One of three structures — a percentage of construction, a fixed fee, or hourly. We recommend the one that fits your scope and put it in writing.
How strict is design review in the master-planned communities?
Strict. Cinco Ranch and its neighbors review materials, massing and roof forms, and they are used to saying no. We design inside their guidelines from the first sketch so the review is a formality.
Did the reservoirs change what can be built on the west side?
They changed how carefully you check. After Harvey, flood zones and finished-floor rules were redrawn in parts of the Katy area. We pull the current maps for your specific parcel before the plan is set.
What is a MUD tax and will my lot have one?
Most newer Katy communities sit in a municipal utility district that funds water, sewer and drainage. It appears on your tax bill, and the district has a say in how your lot drains.
What do I need before we talk?
Just the lot and a rough budget. Tell us how you want to live in the house, and we will guide you through everything else.
Who handles the engineering?
Our consulting engineers, coordinated by us. Structural is part of every project; MEP comes in when the design needs it. Everything ships as one agreeing set.
How long from first meeting to finished drawings?
Depends what stands between you and a permit. A remodel with no design review runs short. A new build in a reviewed community runs longer. You get a preliminary schedule after the first meeting.
Tell us about your project
A few details about your lot and what you have in mind is enough to start.
- 01 You share a few details about your project
- 02 We look them over and get back to you
- 03We meet to discuss your site, your vision & your budget.