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Chief Architect

chiefarchitect.com

From $166.25/mo Free trial WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.6 #1 of 14 in Cabinet design software

What it is

Chief Architect Premier is 3D design software for residential and light commercial work, including remodeling, kitchens, baths, and interiors. Drawing walls and placing architectural objects builds a 3D model and produces materials lists and construction documents such as site plans, framing plans, sections, and elevations. Materials lists can include quantities, unit and labor costs, markup, and project costs, and update as the design changes. For presentation, the software supports realistic and artistic rendering, 360-degree renderings, virtual tours, and walkthrough videos. Its 3D Library contains objects such as fixtures, appliances, millwork, furnishings, and manufacturer-specific products. It imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG files, and imports OBJ, SKP, STL, and DAE. The As-Built app uses LiDAR on supported iPhones and iPads to create room models for remodeling. The trial does not expire, but saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours are disabled. Premier costs $229 a month, billed $229/mo.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Chief Architect Premier is 3D software for residential and light commercial design, remodeling, kitchens, baths, and interiors.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Integrations
Chief Architect imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG files and imports several 3D formats, including OBJ, SKP, STL, and DAE.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Support
Priority support is available for X17 and X18; versions X14–X16 have paid per-incident support for $125, and X13 and earlier are ineligible.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Headquarters
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United StatesRead 23 Sep 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Founded
1992Read 23 Sep 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Company
Chief Architect, Inc. is privately held, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and says its software began in 1992.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Building tools
As users draw walls and place architectural objects, the software creates a 3D model, materials lists, and construction documents such as site plans, framing plans, sections, and elevations.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Design catalog
Its 3D Library includes thousands of objects such as fixtures, appliances, millwork, furnishings, and manufacturer-specific products.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Estimating
Materials lists can include unit costs, markup, labor costs, quantities, and project costs, and update as the design changes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Internet requirement
Internet access is required for installation, license authentication, deactivation, video and catalog access, with license authentication required once every 14 days.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Mobile scanning
The As-Built app uses LiDAR on supported iPhones and iPads to create room models that can be imported into Chief Architect for remodeling.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Security and privacy
The company says it protects information to industry standards, does not sell personal information, does not store credit card numbers, and uses a PCI-compliant payment processor.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Sharing
3D Viewer models can be shared or embedded on web pages and viewed using free iOS and Android apps; the cloud account stores up to 99 models unless a larger storage plan is purchased.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Supported desktop systems
Premier runs natively on Windows 10 or 11 64-bit and supported Macs; the listed minimums include 16 GB RAM, and Mac support requires Apple M1 or newer.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Trial limits
The trial does not expire, but saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours are disabled.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Visualization
The software supports realistic and artistic rendering, 360-degree renderings, virtual tours, and walkthrough videos.Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com

Plans and prices

Chief Architect Premier $229 a month $229/mo. Includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads, priority technical support, and Chief As-Built plan import Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Chief Architect Premier $1,995 a year $1,995/yr. $166.25/mo.—save 27% Includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads, priority technical support, and Chief As-Built plan import Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com

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Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Builds a 3D model as walls are drawn
  • Produces construction documents and materials lists
  • Materials lists update as designs change
  • Supports realistic and artistic renderings
  • Imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG

Limits

  • Trial disables saving, printing, and exporting
  • Internet access is required for installation and authentication
  • Mac support requires Apple M1 or newer
  • Premier costs $229 a month

Who it suits

Chief Architect Premier suits people designing residential or light commercial buildings, remodels, kitchens, baths, or interiors. Its construction documents, cost-aware materials lists, and import tools may also suit projects that need those outputs.

Verdict

Premier brings design, documentation, estimating, and visualization into one residential and light commercial workflow. Its trial has important disabled functions, and the listed plan costs $229 a month.

Where Specifiction places it

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