Chief Architect

What Chief Architect does

Chief Architect, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned software company headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, that develops 3D CAD and building information modeling (BIM) software purpose-built for residential home design. Founded in 1992 by Jack Simpson, a Stanford physics PhD, the company sells directly to professional architects, home builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY consumers through its Chief Architect Premier and Home Designer product lines. Its technology is differentiated by an object-based 3D CAD architecture with smart object design principles protected by six US patents, enabling automatic generation of roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists from wall-drawing inputs, plus what the company describes as the fastest real-time rendering available for interior designers. The platform is reinforced by an ecosystem of mobile apps (3D Viewer with AR/VR, Chief As-Built for measurement capture) and a 3D Library hosting catalogs from over 100 manufacturer brand partners serving more than one million users.

The business model centers on annual and monthly software subscriptions ($1,995/year or $229/month for Chief Architect Premier), supplemented by a $500/year Catalog Partner Program fee paid by manufacturers and a lower-priced Home Designer DIY line. Distribution is direct-to-customer via chiefarchitect.com and homedesignersoftware.com, supported by deep content marketing (ChiefBlog, webinars, certification programs, YouTube, the 32,587-member ChiefTalk Professional Forum) and trade show presence including the International Builder's Show and NKBA partnerships. With fewer than 100 employees and a stated policy of contributing 30% or more of profits to the Opportunity Foundation, Chief Architect operates as a profitable, mission-aligned private firm rather than a venture-scaled enterprise.

Customer segments are organized vertically into architects, builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY enthusiasts, each with tailored tooling within the same design engine. The company has expanded incrementally through product launches (Chief As-Built in 2025, 3D Viewer in 2012), ongoing catalog partner additions (most recently MSI in June 2026), and NKBA-aligned certification for kitchen and bath professionals, but has not pursued acquisitions, external funding, or geographic expansion beyond the United States and Canada.

Name

Chief Architect

Legal name

Chief Architect, Inc.

Website

https://chiefarchitect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chief Architect is a privately held, founder-owned software company developing 3D CAD and BIM software purpose-built for residential home design, serving professional architects, builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY consumers through subscription-based direct sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Architectural Design Software

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural Services (54131)

SIC

Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA), Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Residential design software
• 3D home CAD
• Building information modeling
• Home design software
• Architectural drafting software

Headquarters

HQ city

Coeur D'alene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Software Subscriptions: Chief Architect Premier is sold as an annual or monthly subscription. Annual subscription billed at $1,995/year (save 27% vs monthly). Monthly billing at $229/month. Legacy license upgrades available at $995 first year (50% discount).
2. Catalog Partner Program: Brand partners pay an annual fee of $500 for catalog setup, hosting, and maintenance in the Chief Architect 3D Library for customer downloads.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Chief Architect develops and sells 3D architectural home design software (CAD/BIM) purpose-built for residential design. The flagship Chief Architect Premier product uses smart building technology that automatically generates roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists as users draw walls. The company also publishes the Home Designer DIY line (file-compatible with Premier), the Chief Architect 3D Viewer mobile app for AR/VR client visualization, the Chief As-Built App for remodeling measurements, and the 3D Library platform hosting 100+ manufacturer-branded product catalogs.

Product overview

Chief Architect offers a two-tier product portfolio for residential home design. The core professional offering is Chief Architect Premier, which provides complete residential and light commercial design capabilities including 3D visualization, 2D drafting, construction documentation, and automatic material scheduling. For the DIY market, the company publishes Home Designer software, which shares the same design engine and is file-compatible with Chief Architect, enabling professional-designer and homeowner collaboration. Supporting the core products are the Chief Architect 3D Viewer mobile app (for client visualization with AR/VR capabilities), the Chief As-Built App (for capturing existing space measurements for remodeling), and the Chief Architect 3D Library (a digital catalog of manufacturer-branded product models). All products use an object-based 3D CAD system with building information modeling (BIM) principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chief Architect Premier: Professional home design software for full residential or light commercial design—3D visualization, 2D design, elevations, cross sections, CAD details, site plans, and construction drawings.
• Home Designer
• Chief Architect 3D Viewer
• Chief As-Built

Products and services

• Chief Architect Premier Professional 3D architectural home design software for builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers, and kitchen & bath designers offering full residential or light commercial design capabilities including 3D visualization, 2D design, elevations, cross sections, CAD details, site plans, and construction drawings. Automatically generates roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists as users draw walls. Sold as an annual subscription ($1,995/year, save 27% vs monthly) or monthly subscription ($229/month). Legacy license upgrades available at $995 for the first year (50% discount). Includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads, and priority technical support.
• Home Designer DIY home design software product line for homeowners and home enthusiasts who want to visualize, design, or remodel their own homes. Uses the same design engine as Chief Architect Premier and is fully file-compatible, allowing homeowners to share projects with professional builders and designers. Formerly sold as Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer (2003-2009) and 3D Home Architect (1993-2002).
• Chief Architect 3D Viewer App Free mobile application (iOS and Android) that lets clients, homeowners, structural engineers, and subcontractors view 3D home design models exported from Chief Architect Premier. Supports augmented reality and virtual reality modes including walking, flying, and dynamic cross section exploration.
• Chief As-Built App Mobile application for capturing as-built conditions of existing residential spaces and overlaying them with new design plans, supporting the remodeling workflow for builders, remodelers, and designers using Chief Architect.
• Chief Architect 3D Library Digital catalog platform containing manufacturer-branded 3D product models (cabinets, doors and windows, fixtures, appliances, furniture, hardware, lighting, materials and surfaces, and millwork) that designers can incorporate directly into Chief Architect and Home Designer designs. Brand partners participate in the Catalog Partner Program at $500 per year to cover catalog setup, hosting, and maintenance, with catalogs updateable up to twice per year. Includes 100+ catalog partners including Kohler, Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Delta Faucet, Moen, Andersen Windows, James Hardie, Cambria, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador, Fisher & Paykel, Decora Cabinetry, The Galley, MSI, and Wayfair Trade.

Quantifiable outcome

• Save 27% with annual vs monthly billing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MSI (M S International, Inc.)coreTechnology or Integration · 18 June 2026MSI's Q™ engineered surfaces are now available through the Chief Architect 3D Library platform, allowing designers to access and incorporate MSI countertop products directly into residential design projects. MSI offers digital tools including room visualizers and design resources alongside this launch.
• KohlercoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the Chief Architect Catalog Partner Program providing product catalogs compatible with Chief Architect software. Catalog allows designers to incorporate Kohler fixtures and appliances into designs.
• Sherwin-WilliamscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the Chief Architect Catalog Partner Program providing paint and coating product catalogs for design visualization.
• Benjamin MoorecoreTechnology or Integration
• Delta FaucetcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing Delta fixture and plumbing product catalogs for the Chief Architect 3D Library.
• MoencoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing Moen fixture and plumbing product catalogs for the 3D Library.
• Andersen WindowscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing window product catalogs for Chief Architect designs.
• James HardiecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing siding and exterior product catalogs for the 3D Library.
• CambriacoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing natural stone and quartz surface product catalogs for kitchen and bath designs.
• Wolf CookingcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing professional-grade appliance catalogs for the 3D Library.
• Sub-ZerocoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing premium refrigeration and kitchen appliance catalogs.
• ThermadorcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing luxury kitchen appliance product catalogs.
• Fisher & PaykelcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing appliance product catalogs for the 3D Library.
• Decorá CabinetrycoreTechnology or IntegrationChief Architect Exclusive partner providing custom cabinetry catalogs. Featured as a Chief Architect Exclusive in the 3D Library.
• The GalleycoreTechnology or IntegrationFeatured partner providing specialty cabinetry and organization product catalogs.
• NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNKBA software programs and CEU approved training videos. Many Chief Architect webinar videos are NKBA certified for continuing education credits.
• Fine Homebuilding MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured design illustrations in Fine Homebuilding magazine including the 2018 California House project.
• Opportunity FoundationminorOthersChief Architect contributes a large portion of its profits (typically 30% or more) to fund Opportunity Foundation projects in Hyderabad, India and Nang Rong, Thailand.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Autodesk: Autodesk offers Revit, AutoCAD Architecture, and FormIt, which directly compete with Chief Architect in residential and architectural BIM/design. Identified as a "key market player" alongside Chief Architect in the interior design software market, with vastly greater resources and broader market reach.
• SketchUp (Trimble): SketchUp is a 3D design tool widely used for architecture and interior design, also identified as a "key market player" alongside Chief Architect. It targets similar residential and architectural design customers with comparable 3D modeling and visualization capabilities, including a free tier that competes on accessibility.
• Cedreo: Cedreo provides residential home design software for builders, remodelers, and real estate professionals, directly competing with Chief Architect's core offering. It focuses on floor plans, 3D renderings, and home design documentation for the same professional customer segments.
• SoftPlan: SoftPlan offers residential design software purpose-built for home builders, remodelers, and designers, providing 3D modeling, material lists, and construction documentation. It directly competes with Chief Architect Premier for the same professional residential design customer base.
• Planner 5D: Planner 5D provides home design software for DIY users and professionals, with 2D/3D floor planning, rendering, and AR visualization. It competes with both Chief Architect's Home Designer DIY product line and the entry-level segment of professional users with cross-platform availability.

Emerging players

• RoomSketcher: RoomSketcher provides floor plan and home design software for consumers and professionals, including 2D/3D floor plans, 3D visualizations, and virtual tours. It overlaps with Chief Architect's Home Designer line and the visualization/3D Viewer functionality for residential design customers.
• Sweet Home 3D: Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application that helps users draw house plans and arrange furniture in 3D. It competes primarily with Chief Architect's DIY/entry-level segment and represents a free alternative that may capture price-sensitive users.
• HomeByMe: HomeByMe is an online 3D home design platform that allows users to create floor plans and visualize homes in 3D. It overlaps with Chief Architect's 3D Viewer and Home Designer DIY functionality, targeting consumers and small design professionals with browser-based design tools.

Broad incumbents

• Vectorworks (Nemetschek): Vectorworks is a broader design software platform by Nemetschek that includes architecture, landscape, and interior design capabilities. It competes with Chief Architect in professional architectural design as part of a wider portfolio of design tools serving multiple disciplines.
• ArchiCAD (Graphisoft): ArchiCAD is a BIM software by Graphisoft (part of Nemetschek Group) used by architects for building design. It competes with Chief Architect in the architectural design software market as part of a larger professional BIM platform with broader enterprise reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ChiefArchitectInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChiefArchitect
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chief-architect-software
• Instagraminstagram.com/chiefarchitect
• Pinterestpinterest.com/chiefarchitect
• Xx.com/ChiefSoftware

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chief Architect