Whether ALA is designing your dream home, a small addition or your company's new facility, we understand the value of client service, comprehensive design and deadlines. ALA Architects and Planners, Inc. is a full service licensed professional design firm, providing all the necessary planning services required for any construction project.
ALA has developed design process unique to the industry, which allows client involvement throughout the process without limiting changes, missing deadlines or incurring hourly charges. Every plan is designed for your specific needs and property.
We have top quality professionals that design and obtain a superior design through the engagement of exceptional practices, principles, and people while delivering rigorous personal service and exemplary results to our clients.Dave was a great guy. He worked with me on every little detail needed to complete my project.
ALA has developed design process unique to the industry, which allows client involvement throughout the process without limiting changes, missing deadlines or incurring hourly charges. Every plan is designed for your specific needs and property.
We have top quality professionals that design and obtain a superior design through the engagement of exceptional practices, principles, and people while delivering rigorous personal service and exemplary results to our clients.Dave was a great guy. He worked with me on every little detail needed to complete my project.
Services
You love your neighborhood, the kids have friends at school and your family has sunk deep roots in the community, but your house is dated or too small. The best avenue for you is home improvement. Picture the back of your house with a new deck or screened room or maybe the front needs a covered porch or entry.
Having specialized in residential design for over decades, ALA continues to deliver ground breaking designs. With experience in expansive luxury homes, room additions, second floor additions, screened room additions, facade redesigns and interior remodeling, ALA can solve all of your design and structural challanges.
Whether you are opening the restaurant you have always dreamed of or building a larger facility for your ever expanding business, ALA can help. ALA will utilize our specifically developed design process unique to the industry to satisify your design program and meet your deadlines. We work directly with the building and zoning department to satisfy all codes and ordinances allowing you to obtain a building permit.
Whether you are moving your business or starting new. If you know exactly the design you need or if you require expert guidance, ALA can lead the way. We will tailor our process to fit your needs and your budget. With experiences in offices, warehouses, retail space, restaurants & clubs to Medical or Dental facilities, ALA will guide you through the permit process as well as the bidding and construction phase.
Its the job of the kitchen designer to bring those feelings out and combine them with design, liveability and effeciency. When this is achieved you have a masterpiece! Where friends and family gather to laugh, live and enjoy. ALA has master kitchen layout and cabinet designers. We listen to your needs and desires, work in concert with the home design to provide you with the perfect kitchen.
Reviews (13)
Amy Dietz
Nov 21, 2020
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Kim Diersen
Sep 06, 2020
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We worked with Nick at ALA to draw up plans for our 2800 sq ft house as well as additional 900 sq ft apartment over our 3-car garage. Nick was amazing to work with throughout this process. He has the perfect blend of people skills and architectural vision that make him one-of-a-kind. Nick carefully listened to our needs (including our budget) and made additional suggestions that were well-thought-through and creative. Such a remarkable, talented man! He worked at a pace that was convenient for us. It was a 6-month process, but that was our choice. I was glad to have the time...I was never made
Kristen Miller
Jul 15, 2020
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Kimberly K.
Oct 02, 2019
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First, ALA came highly recommended to us by our builder and our neighbor whose home turned out beautiful.
At ALA, my husband and I worked with Dave and Nick and both were very knowledgeable, professional, and fun to work with.
They took time to listen to our wants and concerns, deliver smart building solutions, all while keeping cost down, which is very important for our second home.
Our 3000 sq foot home, from concept to final plans, only took 5 meeting.
Finally, ALA has a kitchen/cabinetry design shop in their space for design convenience and cost savings. We will be using Connie to help
At ALA, my husband and I worked with Dave and Nick and both were very knowledgeable, professional, and fun to work with.
They took time to listen to our wants and concerns, deliver smart building solutions, all while keeping cost down, which is very important for our second home.
Our 3000 sq foot home, from concept to final plans, only took 5 meeting.
Finally, ALA has a kitchen/cabinetry design shop in their space for design convenience and cost savings. We will be using Connie to help
Dave
Sep 14, 2019
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Amanda Oles
Jul 08, 2019
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Dave was recommended to us after a horrible experience with another architect firm. Dave is not only knowledgeable and creative but he also walks you through the process as it was new to us. He is a problem solver and has a calming demeanor that makes you feel like he has your back! We renovated
an old ranch and had to use existing foundation and some existing walls to stay on a budget. He created the most beautiful design for our home and was conscience of our budget the whole time. It’s exactly what we imagined in our heads. I would recommend Dave and his firm to anyone that asks!
an old ranch and had to use existing foundation and some existing walls to stay on a budget. He created the most beautiful design for our home and was conscience of our budget the whole time. It’s exactly what we imagined in our heads. I would recommend Dave and his firm to anyone that asks!
Nancy Dybul
Jun 28, 2019
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No creativity or vision here. Dave is about the money and pushes his cabinet line. Doesnt take notes when talking, requests you to follow up changes discussed with email or gets it wrong. Gave me plan 100% over my budget so lacks knowledge of pricing or doesn't care. When needed revision to afford took no responsibility. Charged more money. Had to bring in new design person. Dave then transferred me to Nick. He lacked ability to follow changes without several attempts and redirection. Then 3 reminders for more money before completed. Bad attitude. Also find it disturbing that of the reviews listed
Cara Beu
Jun 18, 2019
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ALA brought our dream home to life with a complete redesign of the exterior of our home.
The team at ALA is professional, creative, responsive, meticulous, artistic and willing to go above and beyond.
Just can’t say enough about ALA, in particular, Dave Dolby, owner & Nick Marmitt, ALA’s lead designer, who worked with us, side by aide, from day one until project completion. We could not be happier with the look of our new home. The entire project and experience working with ALA was top notch.
The team at ALA is professional, creative, responsive, meticulous, artistic and willing to go above and beyond.
Just can’t say enough about ALA, in particular, Dave Dolby, owner & Nick Marmitt, ALA’s lead designer, who worked with us, side by aide, from day one until project completion. We could not be happier with the look of our new home. The entire project and experience working with ALA was top notch.
Dave Carroll
May 04, 2019
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How do you select an architect? That is a question I asked myself when I began the process of building a house. Not knowing where to start, I began by interviewing several architects, reviewing their portfolios, and talking to their clients, but none seemed to match my style, my timeline, or my desire to learn and actively participate in the architectural process. So next I found homes that I really liked, and asked the builders who the architects were. It soon became clear that ALA Architects were drawing the most beautiful homes in the neighborhood. So I made an appointment, and met with Dave
Jim & Marge S.
Jun 26, 2018
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We needed plans for an addition and had 2 companies visit our home. Dave at ALA was the second to come over and we knew at once he was the right guy for the job. He had great ideas and they just kept coming. When he came by with the first set of plans they blew us away. They had thought of ideas that we had never considered and the plans were spectacular. Hiring ALA was by far the best decision we could have made.
Pete Scholl
Jun 03, 2017
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Scholl Construction has used ALA Architects and Planners for multiple residential and commercial projects. They are one of the largest architect firms in McHenry County. The owner, Dave Dolbe meets with each client personally. He has great ideas and insights to the building process. Dave’s staff of architects and designers, work hard to complete the vision of the project to his standards and the homeowners expectations. I would recommend ALA to home and business owners as well as construction firms.
Joe W.
Apr 25, 2016
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Kristin G.
Apr 13, 2014
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We have had a mixed experience with the business. Let me begin by saying that they did design us a beautiful custom home and we really loved the friendly atmosphere and loved our architect as a person.....from the beginning we were all about designing a home that was within our budget. We reiterated this point at every meeting. We were so excited to have our home bid! However, when we received the bids from the builders, they were 2 times our budget. We did the math and just the structure of the house alone, no flooring, walls, interior work of any kind in and of itself maxed our budget.
