In-Depth Review: Cedar Build
What It Is
A tech-enabled architecture firm focused on delivering fast, high-quality, permit-ready housing design services.
Who It's For
Real estate developers and builders—especially those navigating the complexities of urban infill, permitting, and entitlement.
Why It Matters
Cedar combines software and human expertise to streamline one of the most resource-intensive parts of the development process: going from feasibility to permit-ready design.
Problem Solved
Cedar tackles the inefficiencies between land acquisition and building permit approval—often the slowest, most expensive phase in housing development. By integrating code-aware site planning, architectural design, and permit documentation into one streamlined service, Cedar reduces cost, friction, and timelines for developers and builders.
Audience Fit
Primary Users:
- Real estate developers
- Builders and contractors
- Landowners entering development
Ideal Fit:
- Texas-based infill or small-scale developers
- Those navigating new land-use reforms (e.g., Austin's HOME initiative)
- Teams without in-house architecture or entitlement capacity
Key Differentiator
Unlike traditional firms or software tools, Cedar blends a state-of-the-art tech platform with a licensed architecture team to offer a true "design-as-a-service" model. Its ability to run feasibility scenarios (like impervious coverage, yield, and parking) before committing to full design sets it apart. They also offer predesigned housing types tuned for HOME zoning—something very few competitors touch.
Workflow Fit
Project Phases Covered:
- Due Diligence
- Land Planning
- Feasibility Modeling
- Concept & Schematic Design
- Permit Documentation
Where It Plugs In:
Immediately after site acquisition or early feasibility. Especially useful for navigating complex zoning, maximizing yield, and accelerating the entitlement process.
User Experience
While not a SaaS tool in the traditional sense, Cedar's platform offers a clean and user-friendly interface for evaluating housing scenarios. Features like site-matching, scenario filtering, and HOME ordinance compliance are baked into the UX. Most interactions happen asynchronously via platform + client collaboration, backed by a highly trained internal team.
Bonus Insight
Cedar is uniquely positioned for growth in a post-HOME world. As cities relax zoning and increase allowable density, Cedar's plug-and-play library of housing types (like the Ranchplex, Cottage Court, and Triple Decker) gives developers a head start. It's not just a service—it's a strategic edge.