Frequently asked questions
Macaw Designs — architectural design, drafting and rendering near Pittsburgh, PA
What services does Macaw Designs offer?
Macaw Designs is an architectural design and drafting studio based in Moon Township, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We provide construction drawings and permit sets, photorealistic 3D rendering and visualization, interior design, residential and commercial design, and B2B design outsourcing for builders, developers and architecture firms.
Where does Macaw Designs work?
We work with clients across the United States on drafting, 3D rendering, B2B design outsourcing and dedicated design pods. For projects that need stamped permit drawings, we currently serve Pennsylvania, where we partner with licensed architects to seal the documents.
Are you architects? Can you provide stamped drawings?
Macaw Designs is a design firm, not a licensed architecture practice. Our team handles design, drafting, interior design and redlines, and we partner with architects registered in each state to review and stamp drawings when a permit requires it. You keep one point of contact from first concept through sealed plans.
How much does residential design cost?
Residential projects carry a minimum fee per project, and the final price is set by the scope of work. Bundling services such as permit drawings, renderings and interior design lowers the cost of each compared with buying them separately. We confirm pricing after a free consultation.
How much does design outsourcing cost?
Individual projects range from about $390 for a single rendering to around $20,000 for a full commercial build-out. For firms with steady work, monthly retainers run from $2,500 to $7,000 and give the best value per deliverable.
How long does a residential permit set take?
A residential permit set drawn from scratch typically takes about one week. A full residential design including interiors usually takes two to three weeks. Timelines depend on scope and on how quickly decisions and feedback come back.
How long does a 3D rendering package take?
A photorealistic rendering package is typically delivered in about one week.
How long do commercial projects take?
Commercial timelines vary with size and complexity. Larger commercial build-outs can take seven to eight weeks from kickoff to finished drawings.
Who does Macaw Designs work with?
We work with homeowners, with builders and developers, and with architecture and engineering firms. Homeowners get a full design team, builders get reusable plans and marketing renderings, and firms get outsourced production delivered under their own name.
What software does Macaw Designs use?
We design and document in Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp and Bluebeam, and we produce visualizations in Twinmotion, Enscape, V-Ray, D5 Render, Lumion and Blender. We can deliver in the formats your team already uses.
Do you handle permit submissions?
Yes. We coordinate permit submissions and respond to reviewer comments, working with our licensed architect partners wherever a stamp is required.
What happens in the free studio session?
It is a free one-hour session with our team to understand your project, answer your questions and define the scope of work. It can take place at our studio in Moon Township or at your project location.
How does B2B design outsourcing work, and what is a design pod?
Firms can work with us per project or on a monthly retainer. A design pod is a dedicated Macaw Designs team that works in your templates and standards as an extension of your office, delivering under your firm's name. Retainers suit firms with consistent volume.
How experienced is the Macaw Designs team?
Our design lead brings more than 20 years of architectural design experience, and our core team members each have more than six years. Across their careers, our team members have delivered more than 250 projects.
How do I start a project with Macaw Designs?
Book a free one-hour studio session, call (412) 475-9747, email create@macawdesigns.com, or send a project brief through our website.