Matt Knigge

PBW Architects Review

Matt Knigge
PBW Architects Review

Prentis Balance Wickline (PBW) Architects is a designer of both traditional and modular homes based in Seattle, Washington. Though most of their builds are fully custom, they currently offer 3 lines of standard prefab home designs in partnership with Method Homes. Their home designs usually feature a sleek modern style, with sharp angles, wide windows, deck space, flat metal roofs, soaring overhangs, and lots of custom detailing and specialty features. It is also worth noting that many of their prefab models allow for off-grid living.

PBW Architects bills buyers hourly during the design phase, which comes out to about 12-20% of the cost of construction; typically the design fee adds up to around 15% of construction costs. For pre-designed modular homes (prefab cabin, M, and SML series), PBW partners with Method Homes for manufacturing. These 3 models can even be purchased directly from Method. For custom prefab home projects, buyers must work with a third-party manufacturer and contractor. Once the design and paperwork are completed, most prefab homes take about 3-4 months to manufacture. Finished modules are then shipped to the build site 80-95% complete, where the pieces can be assembled by a third party contractor often in 2-8 weeks. 

Strengths:

  • 40+ years of design experience with a unique modern aesthetic

  • Design homes that allow for off-grid use

Reasons they might not be for you:

  • You want to work with architects that specialize in more traditional designs

  • You want to work with a company that will coordinate and manage the home build for you

Keep reading to view PBW Architects reviews and ratings, PBW Architects pricing and cost info as well as photos, and other company facts.

Company Prentis Balance Wickline (PBW) Architects
Year Founded 1980
Website http://pbwarchitects.com/
# of Models 3+ prefab series, 136 designs total & fully-custom
Areas Served Serve the entire United States, but primarily the Pacific Northwest
Homes Built 130+
Headquarters Seattle, WA
Pricing $500-800+ per sqft for a completed home by a 3rd party builder
Pricing Structure Design fee is 12-20% of the construction cost, typically 15%.
Reviews
Yelp No reviews
Houzz 5 stars
Creates Custom Plans Yes