Construction Software Companies & Consultants in Coeur D Alene, ID

Chief Architect, Inc. is a software developer headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It creates 3D design and documentation tools for the residential construction market. Its flagship desktop application, Chief Architect Premier, is used by home builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers and kitchen and bath specialists.

They use it to plan houses, produce drawings and communicate design intent to clients and trades. The company's copyright notices date back to 2000. Alongside its product pages, it runs a careers page, a user forum and a regular blog.

Who the software serves

The company organizes its offerings around distinct professional audiences. It also provides resources for schools and for do-it-yourself homeowners. Dedicated material is available for:

• Architects and builders working on new homes
• Remodeling contractors documenting and altering existing structures
• Interior designers handling space planning and finishes
• Kitchen and bath designers specifying cabinetry and fixtures
• Academic programs and home enthusiasts

Core product capabilities

Premier is focused on houses but can also be used for light commercial projects. As a user lays out walls, the program builds a matching 3D model in parallel, forms floors and ceilings, and keeps a running materials list current. Doors and windows cut their own openings and framing when placed.

The building tools can generate roofs, foundations, stairs, stick or truss framing, dimensions and schedules. The materials lists support cutting, purchasing and estimating tasks. Output includes site plans, framing plans, section details, elevations and complete construction document sets.

Interior-focused users get cabinet objects that snap to walls, countertops that merge, and a Style Palette for swapping colors and materials. A large 3D library holds cabinets, appliances, furnishings and textures, including catalogs from partner manufacturers of cabinets, appliances, doors, windows, countertops and flooring. Rendering ranges from photorealistic to stylized looks such as line drawing and watercolor. Users can also produce walkthrough videos and sun-study animations.

The current release, Chief Architect X18, added several framing and drafting features:

• Offset deck ledgers
• Built-up ply counts for beams and posts
• Automatic and manual wall framing working side by side
• Expanded schedule options
• Molding profiles applied to walls and roofs

Two companion mobile tools extend the desktop program. The Chief As-Built app lets a remodeler or homeowner scan or sketch rooms on an iPhone or iPad and bring the floor plan into Premier. The 3D Viewer app lets homeowners, engineers and subcontractors explore shared models. The software runs on both Windows and Mac.

How the company works with customers

Premier is sold as a subscription, billed monthly or annually. Subscribers receive version upgrades, premium catalog downloads, priority technical support and the ability to import As-Built plans. Owners of older perpetual licenses have a discounted upgrade path. Prospective buyers can try a trial edition, which disables printing, saving, exporting and virtual tours. Alternatively, they can start a paid subscription backed by a two-week money-back guarantee.

Training is a substantial part of the offering. It includes on-demand introductory courses, live webinars and seminars, personal and custom sessions, a certification program, video libraries and a knowledge base. The company also runs a Catalog Partner Program for manufacturers, a brand ambassador program for engaged users, and the ChiefTalk forum. It exhibits at the combined builder and kitchen and bath trade show held in Las Vegas.