Dec 3, 2025
Logan sits down with Chris Landis, co-founder of the award-winning Landis Architects/Builders in Washington, D.C. With over 35 years of experience, Chris shares how his architecture background shaped the firm’s design-build approach—and what remodelers can learn from their detailed, phased design process.
From feasibility studies and pre-construction agreements to hiring in-house designers and scaling team structure, this episode is a masterclass in how to elevate the design side of your remodeling business.
Whether you’re just starting to charge for design or scaling up to larger, more complex projects, Chris offers clear takeaways on how to structure your process, train your team, and charge what you’re worth.
🔑 What You’ll Learn
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Why Landis’ design process includes 3 clear phases: schematic, DD, and CD
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How feasibility studies help pre-qualify projects and set expectations
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What to look for when hiring designers—and how to train them
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How a team leader role bridges sales and design for smoother execution
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Why charging properly for design leads to better clients, work, and profits
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How Landis keeps clients excited and engaged throughout long design timelines
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What it looks like to run a design department that actually makes money
⏱️ Key Timestamps
00:00 – Intro to Chris Landis
+ Landis Architects & Builders
01:30 – From Wall Street offices to handyman work: how the business
started
05:30 – Why drawings matter (and why they should never be
free)
11:00 – Overview of Landis’ design services: feasibility,
pre-construction, full design
15:00 – Three phases of design: schematic, DD, and
CD
20:00 – Aligning sales and design with a “team leader”
role
27:00 – How Landis prices design and stays ahead on
billing
30:00 – In-house vs outsourced design teams: pros and
cons
36:00 – Matching designers to project types and geographic
regions
38:00 – Keeping clients excited during long design and permitting
windows
45:00 – How Landis markets high-end projects (and the power of
awards)
47:00 – Design isn’t a loss leader—it’s a profit
center
52:00 – Why charging for design leads to better hires, better
clients, and a stronger brand