Frequently Asked Questions

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 Our honest answer about needing a permit is far too nuanced to be covered in this FAQ. It is suffice to say that if you are adding square footage to your house or adding coverage to your property than yes, you need a permit so that your title report matches what actually exists on the parcel. That ensures maximum resale value. The need for a plan is an unequivocal YES. Even if your building without a permit we strongly suggest you have a plan that you understand that helps to hold your contractor accountable. Do not listen to any carpenter or contractor that says "This is routine." or "We've done this hundreds of times." They have not done this at your property or in your unique house. This should raise a red flag for you! For more info:  Read my Opinion piece on the "Free-for-You" download page.

The client is an important part of the design process. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and desires for the project. We value their input and will incorporate their feedback into the design. We send very detailed floor plans, pictures and 3D models for the client to review and with their feedback we refine the design until the client is satisfied. When the client presents an idea or questions an idea we have presented we always have a reasonable explanation rooted in economics or legalities. If a video meeting is required to walk a client through the pros and cons we are more than happy to accommodate this level of service. 

We will handle the process of obtaining necessary permits for your project. We have experience working with local authorities and will ensure that all necessary permits are obtained in a timely manner. ALL municipalities are unique. To be clear, NO two cities or counties are alike in their process. There are commonalities between them all but in terms of exactly what information they want and how they want it presented varies wildly. We have pulled permits all over the United States and in particular California. At the time of this website publishing we have worked in over 30 cities and about a dozen counties throughout Northern and Southern California.

Our design philosophy is centered around creating  functional spaces that meet the needs of our clients while also being economically conscience. If your main concern is timing we can advise you on what will slow down your permit process by requiring further consultants or scrutiny from the authorizing agency. 

The plans and the permits must begin with what is referred to as an "AS-Built" set of plans consisting of what is already built on the property. That set will consist of a site plan detailing the size and scope of what is built, where it is built and how that mathematically corresponds to what you are allowed to build by your unique zoning codes. It will also have detailed floor plans and elevation views of the structures. There are a few ways of obtaining these As-Built plans including hiring us to come to your property and measure everything ourselves. If location makes that unfeasible we can help locate consultants to work with us. The easiest way to get started is by checking with your local permitting agency to see what files they have available. Once the As Built plan is obtained we can make a plan and a 3D model of all that exists. From that we can begin to create whatever you wish.

The design process can take as little as a few weeks to several months depending on the scope of work proposed. A simple Kitchen or Bath remodel may only require a minimal amount of back and forth to get the design right. A new custom home is a completely different subject. I've presented my first draft designs to clients who fell in love with the idea right away. I've also gone back and forth refining designs for 6 months. It all comes down to communication and decisiveness.  

The permit process is far more difficult to answer. (See question #3 above). It should be suffice to say that the smaller the project the shorter the permit process. As a rough guide, pulling a permit for a new generator install or a bath remodel could be a few days to a few weeks whereas pulling a permit for an addition to your home would be 2- 6 months and a brand new custom home could take a year to be permitted. Anyone who claims to be able to pull permits super fast is baiting you into doing business. That is a red flag for sure.