Project Planning

Getting Started
  • For a residential project, please download our Building Design Questionnaire
  • For all projects, it will be helpful to download our Project Planning Sheet
  • Contact your local building department for plan submittal requirements, local codes and building restrictions, and fee schedules.
What You Are Responsible For:

We will provide you with a set of plans and engineering calculations (if required) required to obtain a building permit.  We can answer questions regarding the following items, but you are responsible for coordinating and scheduling them as needed.  If you would prefer, we can provide or coordinate these services for an additional fee.  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
  • Mechanical (HVAC) and plumbing plans (commercial projects)
  • Electrical plans (commercial projects)
  • 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

Once all the necessary plans and fees are submitted, it can take approximately 2 to 12 weeks for the plans to be reviewed by the building department.  Occasionally the building department may request additional information or changes to the plans before they will issue a building permit.  We will provide requested information as part of our services.  Any changes to the design or plans as a result of plan check comments can be provided at an addition fee.