Powerful, Intuitive and very easy to learn. Also very engaging/rewarding & fun to use.
I’m doing an addition to my home – a new level over the garage.
I tried several options – including one that was about the same $$ as Home Designer Suite.
I’m amazed at how easy it is to put together a plan of my existing home – which is absolutely perfect, with relative ease – which is an absolute must, before I then add that new level, based on the existing layout.
I’m impressed with the stability of the program. I’ve spent many hours in the program making complicated layouts and it has never frozen or crashed, and quietly makes backup’s . For example my computer rebooted after an OS update. When I opened the plans I was working on, the program let me know it had a more recent version than the last one I saved on my own.
Figuring out how to do things is a breeze using the Chief Architect web site. Example, I did not know how to put just a counter top with no cabinet – that was clearly explained, and easy to find in the help facility. Vaulted ceilings -also easy to find.
I have a lot of custom cabinetry which are not standard, or cookie cutter -and after a little experimenting changing the shape and door/drawer layout is a breeze. I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface – but I really love using the program, it is engaging and fun to use and infinitely adjustable. There are some things I don’t yet know how to do, have poked around a little but not dug in deep. Like making a mirrored or glass cabinet door with no ‘lites’ or a full-height cabinet with only glass on the top doors. Mostly, if something doesn’t exist, they give you the tools to make it. My fireplace is full height rock with an oak mantel and a flat-stone hearth. Making the hearth, I just created a base cabinet at the right size and made the ‘counter top’ smooth stones, and the cabinet ‘finish’ as stone to match the rest fireplace definition – it doesn’t look 100%, but it looks fantastic.
I have always enjoyed architecture and drawing – but this makes it so fun, it is sometimes hard to put ‘down’.
Great program!
Great program! 2023 version has some handy upgrades in the layout tools. Tutorial videos are very helpful and there’s an easy link to them. Thanks a lot!
Great Product – Some Minor Drawbacks
I have used CA’s Home Designer for many years to design several buildings and a multitude of home remodels. No commercial use, just personal use. The capability of the product is amazing, and I haven’t used a fraction of it’s functions. And therein lies it’s biggest drawback for me – the inability to “word search” it’s extensive instruction manual. I always know what I am looking for, I just can never find it since you have to first know “where” to find it in the manual – and most of the time I don’t know. And searching each of the hundreds of sections in the manual is frustrating. Otherwise, it’s the best architectural tool I have found and I will continue to use it religiously.
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.
Eats my homework
The biggest problem I have with the program is that it seems to eat the files too often. Had a design I was working on, made some changes then saved it, made some more additions then saved it again under a new filename. When I went to work on them the next day all files (primary and archived) were corrupted. The entire files contained nothing but zeroes. I have had this happen to me several times over the last couple of months. Very aggravating to have to start over to recreate your files.
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
