What Our Customers Are Saying About Home Designer Software

Good Product, but need low cost video card in system requirements

Home Designer is a good product, but I spent extra money finding the right video card to make the 3D work. I ended up buying a RADEON RX550 to get it to work OK. Add this video model as an option in the FAQs. I would like to see more options for adding appliances and fixtures.

User friendly

I am a small builder and have no experience with any CAD program and in matter a few days I am starting to feel comfortable with this program.

Unable to use 3D functionality

I just upgraded my HDA software and my computer doesn’t have a powerful enough graphics card to support the 3D capability. I wasn’t planning to buy a new computer specifically to run this software.

I finally had to get a newer model

I am an occasional user; and have successfully used my Better Homes and Gardens, Home Designer Deluxe, 2005 Edition, migrating to each newer model computer using the purchased CDs. But, guess what, my newest computer doesn’t have a CD player. So… it was time… some would say, beyond time, to purchase this new edition. I love it. There is just enough familiarity to make the upgrade easy to work and explore for me, and the newer features are fun to explore and learn.

Amazing Product and Better Support!

I been working and learning the software for almost 5 years and the product is just amazing and when I need technical Support the respond really fast, I am so happy with the software, has a few details to improve but part of that improve is from my own side. Full recommended

Extremely Easy to Learn and Use

I’ve been using Chief Architect Home Designer Suite for several years, mostly to design new office buildings, additions, and remodels for the company I worked for. I also used it to design our own home and remodel projects for friends. Many people have difficulty visualizing a space just from a blueprint, so It’s helpful for them to see a picture of the space with floor and window coverings, furniture, etc. The program is extremely easy to learn and use. You can be up and running in just a matter of hours. If you do have difficulty using the program, their customer support is light years ahead of any customer support I have ever experienced.

You can’t beat the customer service!

Not only is the product wonderful, but you can’t beat the customer service. An element of my design was wonky and prevented Chief from building my roof properly. I messed with it for days and finally called. They had me send them the plan, and within a few minutes, they figured out the problem and helped me correct it. They took their time and were very patient with me as they went through my design. I am very happy with the product and the company. I’m a DIY designer, and this software is great for people without experience. Highly recommended.

Game changer for me!

This program is easy to use and is a game-changer for me!

Excellent software

Really like the software, actually pretty easy to use quicky out of the box.

Would be nice to have some office / commercial drop in desks, cubicle, commercial refrigerators, etc for small commercial tenant improvement projects.

Thank you

Amazing tool!!

I love the functionality of this must-have home design application. It takes several days to master but the training videos are superb. The 3D views are excellent and the ability to upgrade to create more detailed construction drawings and materials cost estimates are particularly valuable. Very nice piece of software at an affordable price.

Powerful and Easy

Great product which I have been using since early 2000s when pro was very simple and sold by a third party software company. In those days it was very simple. I use it for concept designs for clients and I am not a trained draftsperson so relied heavily on the help file’s which are extensive along with the training videos. More Australian products in the library would be helpful however you can import sketchup files and once in your custom library you are set. Overall a great product.

Awesome Software

Home Designer Pro is a well-designed application (from someone who used to be in software development). It is so intuitive, and always fun to use!

Great Balance of Function and Price

After an exhaustive review of DIY design software options, HD | Architectural really hits the sweet spot for serious DIY home designers. In addition, the smooth upgrade path to the professional versions not only means affordable upgrade pricing but also means all your existing drawings and skill development carry forward seamlessly. Doesn’t require constant annual renewal charges but if you feel you’d like to take advantage of valuable new feature(s), the upgrade pricing is very reasonable. Free Trial let’s you thoroughly review before you try… it would be nice if they let you do 1 save and 1 print as part of the trial – even if they applied watermarks that could be removed if/when you activate

Fantastic Software

I am a home DIYer and recently purchased the Home Designer Professional by Chief Architect software as my previous software (Broaderbund 3D Home Architect) was outdated. I must say it has many similar functions as my old software but it’s definitely much better. Now I’m able to select from a few overall styles ie. Contemporary, Mediterranean etc. I’m able to make curved walls, add lap siding, add stone, brick or Stucco veneer, and clay/cement roofing tiles. I’m also able to make the arched windows and doors to follow many of those Mediterranean styles. This software includes a Library where you are able to select numerous items to add to your plans such as wrought iron gates, pergolas, columns and many other items. The You Tube tutorials for this software are extremely helpful as well. You can also Google specific topics and step by step tutorials show up. These are just a few items to mention but I still have much more to explore. I’m definitely excited and happy with my purchase.

Worth upgrading 100%

Having used Home Designer Suite software as a home remodelling specialist in Spain for the last 2 years or so, I took my time to gradually get used to it and produce sensible design solutions for my clients. The upgrade to Architectural and finally Professional has been easy and rewarding as drawing and editing become so much easier especially in the 3D space. Customized roofs and windows make a huge difference. Still a lot of features and options to discover, but already a big fan!

Great release as usual – HD PRO 2023

Enjoying HD Pro 2023. Been hobby user for years. 2023 stacked fractions are great.
Not used other new 2023 features yet.
After all these years we are finally building our dream home. Engineering will draw up final construction drawing after PE checks out all static, dynamic and wind loads. We found having knowledge of HD software to be invaluable in designing our home. Wife and I spent months making every last detail and applying to our many versions of our drawings. Interior and exterior 3D designs were a Godsend.
With these drawing in hand, we submitted as DWG drawings for the engineers to check code requirements and loads.
To not have these drawings on hand would be handing your dream home to total strangers that would quickly “guide” you through the process and submit. I know wife and I spent a lot of time evaluating all design variations and made tons of changes over a period of months. We know our dream home will be as perfect as can be. We also benefitted from using all 3D views interior and exterior to get a realistic view of what was to come.

We could not have done so well without tools. In this case, HD Pro. It’s crazy not to use it.

Santiago

VERY GOOD

This is my second time to draw my own home with Chief Architect Software and they have made it so simple to get what’s in your mind down on paper! If you want to make it hard; then you can by using Home Designer Pro and the Video help that they provide. So if you want some control over the house that you are building then buy one of the Home Designer Products.

New for2023

It’s taken time to see the difference changes, however I do like what’s new and sorry not to take the time to list them, only one thing was the need for a different video card, not sure why but the 3D does seem a bit smoother, wish the gallery had more to choose from that’s not SSA, all in all I’ll keep it I like the software I’ve been using it since 2015 and have upgraded many different times usually every other year
Keep up the good work

Best Design Software Ever

I’ve purchased and used many design software packages for my construction business but nothing is as intuitive and easy to use with great support than Home Designer. I purchased the Home Designer Architecture software but after 1 day realized that I need to custom framing ability to perfect the design. So I upgraded to Pro and will never look back.

So far, so good!

I bought this software to layout a design for an unfinished basement. It iwas our second home for 2 years which became our first home and needed additional heated square footage. I had hoped to find a contractor or designer to do the design but GC’s in my area have a long lead time and limited design capabilities and designers are hard to find. So, thought I’d try this while waiting on GC quotes. I also have to qualify that my basement is not entirely unfinished – it has a garage which I intend to keep and a previous owner’s idea of a semi-finished basement: unheated, walls finished with either drywall, luan, or OSB. Therefore, I’m doing all the demo – including electrical & plumbing. The reason that’s included is that due to my age, the time required for demo doesn’t leave me too much time to learn (what I think is) the great software. However, a few things make little sense to me. The software requires me to start on the first floor. All of the houses that I have built, I have started on the foundation. It seems the foundation and basement, if required, would be a better place to start, then work your way up. Since I also plan to do a kitchen reno I didn’t mind starting on the 1st floor then work down. I have trouble going down to the basement to an 8″ wall and calculating measurements because not all contractors use the same method of studding the wall based on the method of insulation. Some will use traditional 2×4 stud walls against an 8″ concrete or block wall with fiberglass insulation while others will use a much thinner wall with closed cell blown in insulation and it’s hard to find any option for this. Makes precision measurements difficult. Since I have limited time and there seems to be a rather high initial learning curve, it’s taken me a while to make a design. I would highly recommend the boot camp video to someone buying home design software for the first time. Watch the video at the same time you’re using your program. It helps with the basics.