What Our Customers Are Saying About Home Designer Software

15 years and counting

I have been using this software for 15+ years. Has always been a very usable program. I have designed homes with 8,000 sq ft too small shops with it. I create it and take my work to an Architect to put it in a proper form.
Russ Brown

Excellent DIY Tool

I searched and tried several tools to draw plans, modify plans and visualize my designs and only Home Designer Pro gave me the results I was looking for. It has a learning curve and not all features are intuitive but with the online videos and support team, Chief Architect provides the right mix to support a motivated person to get quality results. I would like to see more “right mouse” menu features that simplify copy and paste functions or to add a new layer by keeping the floorplan walls/windows etc. so that you can visualize and compare ideas over the same floor plan. Also to help separate a framing view from the exterior walls by creating a new layer (not floor). I am still learning so maybe these features exist but I have not discovered them yet. Great tool if you can afford it.

8 Years of DIY Fun Experience

I am not an architect but have been using design software for quite long for the design of my own properties. In 2015 when I switched to Home Designer Pro I discovered a whole new experience and real fun with this superior product, especially the user friendly interface and ease of learning despite the highly professional and detailed design features, including excellent landscaping capabilities, also thanks to the intuitive and extensive online resources. Chief Architect support have consistently exceeded my expectations during the past 8 years. It is indeed an enjoyable experience with Home Designer Pro!

Need better functionality for basic shapes

I’ve been using HD Pro for over a year now and find the selection of library items to be fairly limited, especially when I need to find something specific or unique. I end up creating items from basic shapes a good deal, but these are rudimentary. For example, I use cylinders extensively, but if you try to angle them vertically, they distort to the point of uselessness (e.g., attic ductwork, underground sprinkler systems over hilly terrain). Adding square and cylindrical arc shapes would also be of benefit. Other than that, the program is fantastic for depicting overall options for layout, colors, etc. for viewers, designers, contractors, and the like. Keep up the great work!

Best 3D / CAD we have ever used

We have used Chief Architect from the beginning. We now use Home Designer Pro because
it does everything that we need it to do. Our clients love the renderings. The muiltiple views
and BMP images let them see what their building is going to look like before it’s built.

Great program but hard for a beginner

This program is way more advanced than I am. There is truth to the statement “be smarter than the equipment”. A basis beginners tutorial with color by number instructions would be beneficial because I was overwhelmed and got frustrated not being able to figure out how to operate the program. This is not the programs fault truly the user. So program is fabulous but hard to use for beginners or someone that is not familiar with building or terms

FUN AND FUNCTIONAL

As a designer I use CHIEF ARCHITECT HOME DESIGNER PRO as a tool and a toy. When working with clients the ease of making changes and having them be able follow along in 3D is always a hit. It takes the fear out of making major decisions and smooths out the design process. It builds confidence in my clients and is a great sales tool. And as a designer I love to just play the program, I have my grandchildren over and we design their dream houses which you can imagine are quite creative at different ages. I just love the program.

Home Designer Pro.

Having onused H Des Pro for 6 months I like the addions in 2023.
However ther are 2 additions I would appreciate.
1-Being able to access more 3D products from suppliers.
2-Being able to create more layers and layer blocks. (a layer block is where you would be able to turn various parts of the design off and on. Like different kitchen layouts off and on)

Great software

I am totally new to this software, however, I also use AutoCAD and Solidworks and I caught on very easily in using it. I’m still getting more familiar and utilizing the videos to learn all I can. Thank you

Using now for 8years Thank You

I just have to say this is very easy to use and has more detail than anything I have used for a long time and is priced to be affordable to any business. There are so many modifications you can make to the cabinets and complete floor plan manipulations. and all the tutorials make it quick to find out how to do something. I use it to do full home layouts and can do them quickly. The core materials and manufacturers are great with detail. Very realistic 3D and 360 with ease.

Been using for years, works well

I have been using this product for years. It works very well for a basic home design. In fact I designed our home we built in 2000 with it I think. I know this is the basic package and that you get a lot more with the premium packages, but I do wish the furniture design was easier to modify once placed in the drawing. For instance, I put a sink in a cabinet and then I couldn’t move the sink into place. It was a corner cabinet. But I eventually got it where I wanted it by deleting then reinstalling it.
Great product for the money, I recommend it.

Great Product to design your home … I did!

Like any software, it takes some time to get the hang of the ins and outs. I’ve been using “Pro” for 7 years and when it came time to design my home on the water, my wife and I collected the measurements of the rooms we wanted and then played with the design until we found a combination we liked. We then handed the plans to an Architect and they used it for the plans and permit approvals. We’ve been in the home now 3 years and we are so happy with the outcome.

I’m just a DIY builder and never had any CAD training, but I’ve helped and are helping many friends design their homes.

I highly recommend this product … you’ll love it!

Excellent Product

I’ve been using Chief Architect/Home Designer products since 2013. I have always been satisfied with the software and customer service. The software is easy to use. It provides beautiful 3D renderings for our clients which helps them visualize their future home/landscape. They love that they can see and walk through the design on their mobile device using the 3D Viewer…giving them the opportunity to view their design on their own. Love the detailed material list, and the ability to show plant names.

I have been using Home

I have been using Home Designer Pro for many years (since 2008, I think) and I really enjoy it. I get the new version every year. It is a very good product. The only desapointment is that a lots of library items are for SSA only. Why only for SSA? I would really appreciate to be able to have access to it with Home Designer Pro.
Thank you

Design and Envision Concurrently

At a fraction of the cost of customized on-line house plans we were able combine the best parts of different designs to create construction ready blueprints that the builder said were far better than what they get from the on-line plans. The ability to view 3D perspectives during the design and detailing process helped guide every decision. Access to manufacturer catalogs took the guesswork out of door, window and exterior designs, finishes and colors. Achieving this does require a level of proficiency with the software, but the user and reference manuals are excellent and the blog site helped throughout the learning curve.
Mac Version Home Designer Pro 2023.

A perspective from a novice

I am not a trained architect or professional builder but I will call myself a professional software user, especially in the field of cad and 3d design. I find this product to be very user friendly, intuitive, logically laid out and an overall great piece of cad software engineering. In addition, the extensive online resources on this product are exceptional and of the same high quality of content and design as the software itself. And for the best part, the price. Nowhere have I ever reviewed a piece of cad software with this level of functionality at a price point this is at. It really is a fantastic deal in my opinion.

Absolutely love this product!

This is a very intuitive and user friendly software to use. I bought my first version in 2008, my second version in 2014, and my latest version is 2022. I’ve designed a small boathouse, a 2000ft guesthouse, and recently designed a new kitchen in my main house. I showed the camera view printouts to the kitchen designer we are using and he was floored by how cool the images were. I would definitely recommend this to someone remodeling or building something new.

Awesome software!

As a home builder that wanted to design my own house plans this software has been a great tool to work with! After a few YouTube how to videos I was drawing plans in a few weeks! Very easy to get used to!

Excellent Software and Online Support

I bought this software as a novice DIY homeowner to visualize a new stone patio on my house and to help with getting estimates. I enjoyed the experience so much that I’ve rendered my whole house using the software and will use it to redesign my kitchen, main bath, and landscape!

Exporting CAD Files Feature

I was given a hand-drawn floor plan and needed to convert it to a CAD file type. Home Designer Suite allows me to import a photo of the plan, scale it, and draw over it. The Suite has worked perfectly and saved hours and hours!