“How much does a custom home design cost?”

We get this question all the time—and for good reason. Your dream home should start with a clear understanding of what’s involved, including the price tag.

But here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. A custom home is, by definition, custom. The cost depends on factors like the complexity of the project, its size, and even where you plan to build it.

Still, designing your dream home shouldn’t feel like walking into a financial black hole. By understanding the key elements that affect cost, you’ll know what to expect and how to plan effectively.

Let’s dig into what influences custom home design costs in Calgary—and yes, we’ll even give you some pricing insights along the way.

 

Factors Influencing Custom Home Design Cost

home interior

The cost of designing a custom home in Calgary can vary and be influenced by a variety of factors. Homeowners should be aware of what can impact how much they’ll spend on the design and how it will fit into their budget.

 

1. Project Complexity

The more unique your home, the more effort it takes to design—and the higher the cost. Features like vaulted ceilings, wine cellars, or multi-level basements add complexity, which impacts both the timeline and price.

  • Why it matters: Complex designs require more time, expertise, and detailed planning, which increases costs.
  • Example: Designing a home with elements like multiple levels or complex rooflines can add time to the design phase.

Budget Tips:

  • Prioritize your must-haves over nice-to-haves.
  • Be upfront with your designer about your vision and budget so they can align your dreams with reality.

Cost range for complex custom homes: $25,000 – $35,000

 

2. Location

Where you build your home has a huge impact on design costs. Zoning bylaws, environmental regulations, and unique lot challenges all play a role.


Inner-City Homes

Designing a custom home in Calgary’s inner city is exciting—but it comes with challenges.

  • Permit complexity: Strict zoning laws and municipal guidelines can add time and cost. Inner-city developments usually require a Development Permit, which adds additional time to create different sets of drawings and time to manage the submission.
  • Lot limitations: Smaller lots mean your designer needs to be creative with layouts, which can increase fees.
  • Property complexity: Some properties have complex slope conditions, which can take additional time to design solutions and finalize grading concerns. 

Example Design Strategies:

  • Vertical builds to maximize space.
  • Rooftop gardens or patios for outdoor enjoyment without compromising privacy.
  • Noise-reducing materials for a peaceful retreat.

Cost range for inner-city homes: $25,000 – $35,000


Acreage & Vacation Homes

Building in wide-open spaces is a different ballgame. Acreage homes offer more flexibility, but location-specific factors like weather and land features can still impact costs.

  • Challenges: Erosion control for waterfront homes, material adaptations for harsh winters, or larger designs for expansive lots.
  • Unique perks: Outdoor kitchens, wrap-around porches, and recreation areas are popular design features.

Cost range for acreage/vacation homes: $25,000 – $35,000

 

3. Size of the Project

It’s not just about square footage—though that’s a big factor. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and auxiliary buildings (like garages or guesthouses) all affect the cost.

  • Impact on design time: Larger or more detailed homes take longer to design, adding to the cost. The higher the square footage and the more unique spaces a home has, the more resources will need to be allocated toward ensuring every detail of the design is comprehensive and meets expectations.
  • Budget considerations: Big dreams often come with big budgets. Planning ahead with your designer can help mitigate surprises.

Cost range for large-scale projects: $30,000 – $40,000

 

4. Client Expectations

Customization is king in custom home design—but it can cost more than cookie-cutter stock plans. Work closely with your designer during the discovery phase to nail down your vision and avoid back-and-forth changes.

  • Customization level: Every client has a vision for their dream home, and the more bespoke the design, the higher the cost. Unique features like floating staircases require more time and expertise.
  • Frequent revisions: Every tweak adds time and expense, so clear communication from the start is key. Each revision impacts the design process, potentially requiring adjustments to the floor plan, structural elements, or overall layout. This can add time and effort to the project.
  • Balance between vision and practicality: Sometimes, a client’s desired features aren’t feasible due to budget constraints, zoning regulations, or structural challenges. Bridging the gap between vision and practicality takes time, creative problem-solving, and, occasionally, added expense.
  • Communication and collaboration: The working relationship between the client and designer can also affect costs. Clients who provide timely feedback and stay involved in the process help streamline the workflow, reducing unnecessary delays.


Client-Designer Collaboration

A strong partnership between a designer and a client can make all the difference in ensuring a balance between client expectations and the design’s feasibility. 

Communicating goals, budget, and expectations in advance and providing regular updates throughout the process can help prevent unforeseen challenges. 

At Ellergodt Design, we centre our designs around our client’s wants and needs. We encourage every single client to get clear about their vision and provide a design questionnaire to clarify it further.

Custom home design cost range for small to large client expectations: $20,000 – $45,000

 

Our Integrated Custom Home Design Costs

integrated residential home interior

When homeowners budget for the design of their custom home, they must consider the costs of both the residential and interior design. While both are independent services with their own set of responsibilities, they play an important role in creating a cohesive home. 

Ellergodt Design offers an integrated process that provides homeowners with a comprehensive design package that seamlessly combines residential and interior design.

Here’s why this approach is important, along with flexibility in allowing clients to choose services independently:

  • Comprehensive Project Planning: By integrating both residential design and interior design, we ensure that every detail of a home is aligned.
  • Seamless Integration of Design Elements: Integrating design elements can elevate a custom home. Our process ensures a cohesive, functional, and harmonious aesthetic that can make every element, from the architecture to the decor, feel interconnected.
  • Flexibility for Clients’ Needs: An integrated design approach ensures that a home can meet a homeowner’s preferences, priorities, and budget through collaboration.
  • Ensuring Full Project Cost Awareness: Including residential and interior design fees in project cost estimates provides a comprehensive and fully transparent overview of what clients can expect to spend.
  • Avoiding Overlapping Costs and Miscommunication: Integrating residential and interior design can foster collaboration and streamline decision-making in every aspect of the project.
  • Added Value Through Coordination: Our integrated custom home design process fosters collaboration and ensures that every project element is aligned seamlessly.

Get Started with Your Custom Home Today

Our friendly, collaborative team at Ellergodt Design has been helping Calgarians bring their dream homes to life since 2003. If you’re thinking of building a custom home, book a consultation, and we’ll give you an accurate idea of how much a custom home design will cost.

Call us at 587-875-5621 or e-mail us at info@beginwithdesign.com to get started.