Chief Architect

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 1981
Developer: Chief Architect Software
Pricing: Paid (one-time purchase with annual upgrades)
Open source: No
Platforms: Windows, macOS

Indexes

Moving/Floor Planning

Overview

Chief Architect is 3D architectural design software for residential and light commercial projects, automating generation of roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, and materials lists from 2D floor plans.²⁵ It targets home builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers, and DIY enthusiasts, with Chief Architect Premier for professionals and Home Designer for consumers; compatibility between lines enables project sharing.¹³

Key Features

Automatic Building Generation - Generates roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, and materials lists from floor plans.
3D Visualization - Produces 3D models, walkthroughs, elevations, and cross-sections automatically.
CAD Tools - Imports DWG/DXF files, converts CAD to walls, and includes 500+ editable CAD details.
Materials List - Compiles complete materials lists with pricing and automatic updates on design changes.
Kitchen/Bath Design - Auto-generates dimensions to NKBA standards and interior schedules for cabinets and fixtures.
Remodel Tools - Overlays as-built plans with remodel designs using Reference Display.
Electrical/HVAC/Plumbing - Creates plans for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC using built-in tools.
Time Tracker - Tracks time per project, client, or task with logs and export options.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Chief Architect Premier	Paid (one-time license)	Full residential/light commercial design, 3D tools, CAD, materials lists, annual upgrades extra.
Home Designer	Paid (one-time license)	DIY home design, compatible with Premier for project sharing.

Platforms & Requirements

Runs on Windows and macOS; requires modern hardware for 3D rendering and large projects. No native support for Linux, iOS, Android, or web; mobile 3D Viewer app available for viewing exports only.¹²

Integrations & Ecosystem

DWG/DXF import/export
Chief Architect Viewer
3D Viewer mobile app
CAD-to-Walls from AutoCAD
Chief Architect cloud for walkthrough sharing

Alternatives

App	Difference
Revit	Parametric BIM for broader architectural/commercial use, less focused on residential automation.
SketchUp	Easier 3D modeling with extensions, lacks built-in residential framing/materials generation.
Home Designer	Simplified version of Chief Architect for DIY, fewer pro features like advanced CAD.
ArchiCAD	BIM for multi-story buildings, more complex than Chief Architect's residential tools.

Reputation

Chief Architect is recognized as leading residential design software for its automatic building tools and BIM features, popular among builders and designers since 1992.¹² Users praise time-saving automation for materials lists and 3D views, but note a learning curve for CAD/advanced features and high cost for upgrades.³⁵ It holds strong market position with compatibility for pro-DIY workflows.¹

Sources (9)