Studio AM / Frequently asked questions

Your project, with clarity.

Straightforward answers about working with a Florida architect — from a custom home or commercial space to an addition or a single permit set.

Based in Winter Springs · Projects statewide, Miami to Jacksonville · Licensed Florida Architect AR102135

01 / Getting started

Getting started

Do I need an architect for a home addition or remodel in Florida?

Whether your project needs an architect depends on the work proposed and the requirements of your local building department. Start by identifying the scope and confirming what your jurisdiction requires. Studio AM prepares architectural plans for additions, interior renovations, and whole-home remodels, including signed and sealed documents when required.

Explore additions and remodels
How much does an architect cost in Florida?

Architectural fees depend on the scope, complexity, existing conditions, and consultant coordination your project needs. A custom home, commercial build-out, and focused permit set involve different deliverables. Share your project with Studio AM so we can define the scope and prepare a proposal, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all estimate.

Tell us about your project
How long does it take to prepare architectural plans and get a permit?

The schedule depends on design decisions, project complexity, available information, consultant coordination, and building department review. Preparing the drawings and obtaining a permit are separate stages; review comments may require revisions. Studio AM outlines each phase in advance and keeps clients informed as the documents develop. We do not promise a fixed permit approval date.

See our four-phase process
What should I bring to my first conversation with an architect?

Start with your project location, the type of work you are considering, your goals, budget, and preferred timing. If available, include a survey, existing drawings, photos, inspiration images, or information about zoning and HOA requirements. You do not need to have every answer before starting the conversation.

Open the project inquiry form

02 / Homes & renovations

Homes & renovations

What is the custom home design process at Studio AM?

Our four-phase process begins with onboarding to understand your project, goals, and priorities. Design development explores layouts and concepts with your input. Construction documents then turn the design into coordinated drawings for pricing, permitting, and construction. The final phase prepares reviewed, signed and sealed plans for submission.

Explore the design process
Does Studio AM design luxury custom homes in Florida?

Yes. Studio AM designs custom homes around your lifestyle and site, with attention to buildability, coordination, and long-term value. Our work includes the Modern Barnhome in Groveland and the Investor Residence in Longwood, and our residential design work extends beyond Central Florida to areas such as Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach. We guide the design from concept through construction-ready plans, coordinating with structural, MEP, and other consultants.

See custom home projects
Can I hire Studio AM for a small addition or a single-room remodel?

Yes. Our residential services include room additions, interior renovations, and full home remodels. The same emphasis on clear communication and practical documentation applies whether you are changing one room or transforming an entire home. No project is too small to start a conversation.

Explore residential architecture services
Can Studio AM help document an existing home before a renovation?

Existing conditions are an important starting point for additions and remodels. Studio AM uses tools such as 3D capture to support project clarity and decision-making. The documentation needed depends on the property and proposed work; we define the relevant scope before design begins.

Discuss your renovation

03 / Commercial & development

Commercial & development

Do I need architectural plans for a commercial build-out in Orlando or elsewhere in Florida?

The plans and permits required depend on your proposed use, alterations, and the local building department. Confirm the requirements for the specific space before construction. Studio AM prepares architectural plans for tenant improvements and commercial build-outs in Orlando and across Florida, with attention to permitting, consultant coordination, and construction.

Explore commercial architecture
What types of commercial projects does Studio AM design?

Our commercial services include tenant improvements, restaurants, retail, salons, and office build-outs. Our portfolio includes a hair salon in Orlando, a cat café in Altamonte Springs, and a dental clinic floor plan. We also work on multi-family and mixed-use projects, with the scope tailored to the development.

View commercial project examples
Does Studio AM coordinate structural and MEP consultants?

Yes. We coordinate with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other consultants as part of the project team. The disciplines required depend on the project. Consultant coordination helps align architectural plans with the other documents needed for permitting and construction.

Review our architecture services
Can my contractor use the architectural drawings for pricing and construction?

Studio AM develops construction documents for pricing, permitting, and construction, with an emphasis on clarity and coordination. The drawings and deliverables are defined for the agreed project scope. Your contractor can use that documentation as the basis for reviewing the proposed work, pricing it, and identifying questions to resolve before building.

Learn about construction documents

04 / Plans, permits & service areas

Plans, permits & service areas

What is included in a set of permit-ready architectural drawings?

The contents depend on the type of project, its scope, and applicable requirements. Studio AM prepares focused architectural documentation coordinated with required consultants, including signed and sealed permit sets. Your proposal defines the deliverables, so it is clear what is included before work begins.

Explore permit drawing services
How are Florida building code requirements and permit review comments handled?

Our architectural documentation is developed with permitting, applicable standards, and project requirements in mind. Required consultants are coordinated as part of the project team. Review comments are a standard part of the process, and Studio AM keeps clients informed through this stage. Local building departments determine permit approval; a prepared drawing set is not a guarantee of approval.

Learn about permit-ready documentation
Does Studio AM provide signed and sealed plans for repair or restoration work?

Yes. Our permit drawing services include signed and sealed documentation for repair and restoration work, such as fire damage repairs. Our portfolio includes fire damage repair permit work in Jacksonville and Orlando. We define the documentation and consultant coordination needed for the particular repair scope.

See permit drawing projects
Where does Studio AM provide architecture services in Florida?

Studio AM provides architecture services throughout Florida. We are based in Winter Springs and work across Central Florida, including Orlando, Winter Park, Sanford, Oviedo, and Kissimmee, with projects extending to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, Melbourne and the Space Coast, Fort Myers and Cape Coral in Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay area, and Miami in South Florida. Principal Architect Alejandro Munoz is a licensed Florida architect, AR102135, and our approach to documentation, coordination, and communication stays consistent wherever your project is located. Share your project location through our form to start the conversation.

Start your Florida project

Every project and jurisdiction is different. These answers are a starting point, not a substitute for a project-specific scope or confirmation from your local building department.

From first conversation to sealed plans

Let’s talk about your project.

A distinctive home. A thoughtful commercial space. An addition that makes everyday life better. Tell us what you have in mind.