Residential Building Design

General Information for Your Custom Home Design

   Thank you for considering NorthStar Engineering for the design of your custom

   home.  We have designed many homes throughout California over the years. Sample

   plans are available upon request.

   The information below will help you understand the design process.  You will play an

   active roll in this process as you guide us in creating the home of your dreams.

Our Design Philosophy

   We believe your home should be centered around your lifestyle.  We strive to  

   provide you with a design that is attractive and within your budget. 

   We have engineers on staff to assist with the structural design as your house takes

   shape.  This helps you save money during construction and time during the plan

   check process with the building department. 

What We Will Provide for You

   All of our plans are prepared with computer software, so the dimensions are precise

   and the plans are neat and easy to modify.  The software allows us to refine your

   design ideas as needed to create your custom home.  If you select us to design your

   home, we will be providing the following:

• The design of your custom floor plan with your input
• The design for the exterior appearance of your home
• Complete drawings ready for submittal to the building department for the purpose of obtaining a building permit
• Complete drawings with the necessary information for your contractor to construct your home
• Title 24 energy calculations (required by the state)

• Structural engineering (if required by the building department)

What We Will Need from You

• The requirements of the CC & Rs for your subdivision (if applicable).  This information would include things like the maximum height of your home, the minimum set backs from property lines, the minimum or maximum square footage, building materials and finishes, etc.)

• The assessor’s parcel number, a location map, and the site address

Click image above to see 3-D model (493 kB)

(Requires Autodesk DWF Viewer)

What You Will be Responsible for

We can answer questions regarding the following items, but you are responsible for coordinating and scheduling them as needed.  We suggest you visit the building department prior to submitting your plans, and ask them for a hand out describing their requirements for submitting plans. You will be responsible for:

• Submitting all plans and calculations to the building department
• Applying for all required permits as needed (building, swimming pool, site grading, flood elevation certificate, well, septic, etc.)
• Paying all fees as required (plan check, building permit, school, park, sheriff).  These fees vary by region, and may be substantial.
• Verifying the type and location of water and sewage system
• Verifying the type and location of on-site utilities (gas, electric, phone etc.)
• Verifying that your house is not in a flood plain
• Providing site grading plan if needed
• Obtaining a geotechnical report, if needed
• If roof trusses are required for your home, you will be submitting our (architectural) plans to the roof truss designer so that they can design the trusses
• Providing landscape and pool plan if needed
• Interior design: cabinet designs, choosing your light fixtures and appliances
• Building colors (exterior walls, interior walls, floor coverings etc.)
• Meeting with your electrician at your new home after the framing is complete to locate electrical fixtures, ceiling fans, outlets, and switches (our electrical plan shows code requirements only and a conceptual layout)
• Design of fire sprinkler system; security / sound system (if installed)

What You Can Expect from the Building Department

The building department will cost you time and money.  You can expect an initial plan check time of 2 to 12 weeks depending on the jurisdiction. Our plans often go through the building department with no plan check comments, but sometimes they request additional information from us.  We will provide these corrections, within reason.