| "> | | | | - Hire a HomeBuilding Coach first: Getting this |
| As an Owner Builder, getting approval from the | | | | consultant in your corner is going to make life |
| Building Department can be a challenge. There are | | | | much simpler. Her contacts, experience, and |
| building codes to follow, neighborhood restrictions | | | | knowledge will save you time and money. Do this |
| to comply with, and often a whole host of hoops | | | | as soon as you decide to build. |
| to jump through. This can be overwhelming for | | | | - Use a professional drafter, designer, or architect: |
| the average person taking on a building or | | | | Your coach can lead you to the best solution for |
| remodeling project. | | | | you and your local requirements. A drafter should |
| It can take weeks or months to get a major | | | | be the least expensive but may not be "allowable" |
| project approved by your building authorities and | | | | in your market. When using a drafter, you'll likely |
| if you're not prepared well or if you have | | | | need a structural engineer to sign off on the plans. |
| insufficient expertise, you can fail completely. This | | | | - Work with a Structural Engineer: As mentioned, |
| one challenge is often enough to dissuade people | | | | with a drafter it will be required or highly |
| from attempting to manage their own projects. | | | | recommended. Most residential designers and |
| THERE ARE PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN HELP | | | | architects will work with these engineers anyway. |
| YOU | | | | The engineer is going to calculate and certify that |
| I recommend professional help. Wasting time is | | | | all codes were followed. |
| wasting money. We're not talking about painting a | | | | - Communicate closely with your professional |
| room or replacing carpet. A major remodel, | | | | team: Once plans are submitted, the building |
| addition, or building a home from scratch is a big | | | | department is going to come back to you with |
| endeavor and you're going to need a lot of help. | | | | "corrections". As an owner builder, you will likely |
| Getting the proper professionals lined up from the | | | | be the one who must relay the needed changes |
| very beginning is going to help you immensely. | | | | to your team. Keep them informed and keep |
| The first real hurdle they'll help you over is the | | | | them motivated to make the corrections. |
| approval of your building plans. | | | | It's not really that hard to get your plans |
| If you've been following my articles and the | | | | approved if you put the right people in place. |
| information found at sites like Dream Home | | | | Work with your coach and keep the ball rolling. |
| Creation, you know the value in the practice of | | | | These professionals will know the requirements |
| using a Home Building Coach to assist you in any | | | | and they'll be able to communicate with the |
| major Owner Builder process. Your coach will | | | | building department if there is any confusion about |
| guide you to all the proper steps and professionals | | | | what they want. You don't want to be doing this |
| to ensure your success. | | | | yourself. |
| How To Ensure Home Plan Approvals | | | | Following this plan will remove the "plan submission |
| In the interest of brevity and simplicity, I'm going | | | | overwhelm" and get you going towards your |
| to show you one path you can take to | | | | home building or remodeling goals. Make the |
| accomplish this goal. There are others. As an | | | | decision to use these professionals and eliminate |
| owner builder, you'll find this path or a close | | | | this most difficult challenge. |
| variation of it, to be useful and easy to follow. | | | | |