For me it would only take a few hours to make fairly minor changes to one of my existing plans.

The main amount of time is usually getting funding and permits.

I ask my architect how long each time. Lately, 3-4weeks out for any changes. Over the winte it was only 2-4days. Busy time right now.

Is this someone who works for the builder; someone recommended by the builder; or someone you retained yourself for the desired services?

"Architect" is a term thrown around loosely here and may or not be the person/firm actually doing the work.

Good luck on your project.

Wow, big variations in time! Virgilcarter, this is the architectural firm that originally designed our floor plan. I'm not sure if it is one particular person who will alter the plan or a group (not sure how all this works). It doesn't seem to me that it should take very long with the fairly straightforward changes we are asking, but I've been wrong before ;)

I don't understand if this is a house already designed by the builder and he has modified it for you or if the design was done by your architect then given to the builder.

This house/plan has already been designed, ready to go. It was going to be a spec home but we bought it early on in the process (the tear down was still on the lot). We wanted to make the aforementioned changes so it has to go back to the architect group for modifications.

Yes it can vary quite a bit, I know of people still drafting by hand or having to sub out the actual drafting. Amazing really in this day and age when computers offer so many benefits and make the process so fast.