ABOUT US

McCall Design & Planning is a small firm located in McCall, Idaho, 100 miles north of the state capital of Boise. Our work is primarily in the residential sector, however we dabble in light commercial projects as well. The scale of our office allows for a highly personalized experience where we are listeners, educated and experienced advisors, and collaborators with our clients and the building team.  We work at every scale, from small outbuildings to additions and remodels to multi million dollar new construction of primary and secondary homes. The majority of our work is in and around Valley and Adams counties, however we have completed successful projects in the Treasure Valley and north Idaho as well.

Our Services

  • Prior to purchase of your property we can visit the site and provide insight on pros and cons from a general feasibility perspective.
  • Site assessment- lot study which will provide you with information regarding utilities, easements, entitlement requirements of development, setbacks and lot coverage allowances, views and features.
  • Custom design
  • Assistance with contractor selection
  • Project management

Our Process

The amount of time it takes to complete any project is highly variable. Due to the climate in our location, our busy time is highly seasonal, occurring as we prepare for spring starts and fall foundations. Depending upon the location of your building site, there can be more or less hoops to jump through (City of McCall design review or subdivision design review) that can draw out the process. Designing a home is a creative endeavor and therefore, is often not a linear process. It’s important that you allow your project the time it needs to evolve into what you really want the end result to be.

Our general process includes:

  • Information gathering-client questionnaire, site visit, image sharing (Houzz/Pinterest/magazines)
  • Schematic Design – site assessment and building programming
  • Preliminary Design – floor plan layouts, building volumes and 3 dimensional white model
  • Design Development – plan development, exterior material development, coordination of building systems (structural, HVAC, plumbing, electrical)
  • Construction Documentation – how to build the project, coordination with structural engineer for seismic design, structural and architectural detailing
  • Permitting – submittal of building permit application, 2 sets of stamped drawings, permit fees
  • Project Management – particularly helpful for out of town/state clients. site visits and reports on an agreed upon schedule, availability and priority shown to builder should questions arise during construction
  • Project Photography

Why do I need an architect?

The state of Idaho does not require a licensed architect for residential design. While a licensed architect will cost more in design fees than a draftsperson or “residential designer,” it will save you money by providing complete construction documents to build from and you will end up with a more thoughtfully designed space that performs successfully in our harsh mountain climate.

Licensed Architects complete a rigorous schooling schedule of 5 or 6 years, an extensive internship, and a challenging series of tests. In addition, the State of Idaho requires architects to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually. At MdPi we strive to stay current with evolving building technology and current best practices. We want to go beyond the minimum of code requirements and the minimum in creative solutions.  There are projects that are better suited for a non-licensed designer, and we won’t hesitate to tell you if we think that’s the case.

Ultimately, building a home is a significant financial investment and the extra money spent on hiring a professional will pay for itself in constructibility, livability, and energy savings.

MDPI LogoLocation:
121 Commerce Street, Ste A
McCall, ID 83638
Phone: 208.634.5707