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scott4619

Owner builder - Need help with plans

8 years ago

Looking for advice from other owner builders.


I have a basic set of plans for the house I'll be building including a detailed floor plan, elevations and site plan; however, it's lacking the remaining architectural drawings that are required in my area (Cedar Park, TX) such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, framing, foundation, etc. I've contacted a few local architects but they don't seem to want to help. I'm guessing it's because I have my own design. I've also spoken with a couple CAD companies in my area, but no luck.


Any other owner builders here who did their own house design that can share feedback on how to go about getting the remaining plan drawings I need?


Thanks,

Scott

Comments (29)

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Is there a 'c' in a circle or the word "copyright" anywhere on the drawings?

    Why do you want to build this design?

    The person that initially drew the drawings you have may be the path you should pursue. Is there a title block on the drawings?

  • 8 years ago

    No, not that I can see.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I assume that is the answer to the first question.

  • 8 years ago

    Yes, sorry about that Mark :-)

    It's a long story but the short version is there was a miss communication between me and the person who helped me with the design. I was under the impression they were going to provide all of the drawings I needed but in fact they are not able to. My fault for not getting more clarification. And yes, there is a title block but it's pretty basic.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    We did owner/builder but did not design the house ourselves. We hired an architect so he also did the mechanical and structural/load (sorry if that's not the correct term) plans. We did tweak those as the build progressed and as minor structural changes dictated moving light switches, outlets, or exact sink/tub placement. Sounds as if you need to go back to where you got the plans. oops I see you just answered above and that's not possible. sorry, no experience with your issues.

    Scott thanked DLM2000-GW
  • 8 years ago

    You might want to contact a small builder/GC and see if he will act as your "advisor". For a fee I'm sure you can find someone local to help with everything. I did this once for an owner/builder on a modular. I also pulled the permit for a larger fee (owners can't pull permits for modulars here). It's not a bad thing having some experienced eyes on your project.

    Scott thanked ksc36
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    If the person that drew the drawings did that, sounds like the design may not be that good. Chalking it up to experience and starting over with a competent local architect may be your best option in the big picture.

  • 8 years ago

    We basically did the same thing. Our area isn't as strict as it sounds yours is.

    I agree with the architect sound off you'll get no matter what around here, but if you've truly exhausted your options with that, I agree with ksc36.

    My contractors did their own plans when they gave me estimates. I supplied them with the framing, foundation, elevations, etc. My plumber did his, my electrician did his, my HVAC guys did theirs. We didn't have to turn all these specifics in. I'd say since those are rules for your area though, you'll be able to find local contractors that will know what drawings are necessary.

    If not you may have to start over with an architect to get what you want & need.

    Good luck!!

    Scott thanked Lori Wagerman_Walker
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    You probably should post the plans. There may be other very sound reasons for starting over. It doesn't sound like your drafter was very competent. Even fleshed out, the design might not be able to pass the permitting process. Or, it just might not be a very good design.

  • 8 years ago

    I like GreenDesigns' idea.

    You already have enough on your hands and shoulders as owner/builder. I'd be concerned about what else was missed with miscommunication. Add in the possibility of a non-licensed, non-professional to prepare the required drawings, and you're taking a big risk on a project you're planning to devote a lot of money and time to.

  • 8 years ago

    'and see if he will'


    ks. I hope you meant to say s/he. A woman can do anything a man can do. I'm not a woman.




  • 8 years ago

    I'm about to be a brat!!! But in a kind-hearted tone, so please read the following in a playful/teasing way. :-D

    I hope you meant to say s/he.

    I appreciate ksc saying, "he," because 90%+ of the time, a man is gonna be who helps in this situation, so it's totally logical to use the masculine pronoun. Can you imagine if we had to use s/he or him/her all the time??? That would get linguistically burdensome very quickly. Especially in verbal communication. Yikes!

    ;-)

  • 8 years ago

    "They" used as a singular is increasingly accepted as a gender neutral pronoun. Though it grates harshly for anyone who learned English in, ahem, the mid-20th Century. The most confusing alternative, favoured by journalists in leading left publications, is "her". Evidently, this is to compensate for a century of "him". It always has me searching what I just read for the "her" the writer is referring to.




  • 8 years ago

    Though it grates harshly for anyone who learned English in, ahem, the mid-20th Century.

    Heck, I learned English in the *late* 20th century (very late, lol), and I dislike "they" used as a singular. And I'm not even an English major. I also have a fondness for the Oxford comma (I will use it until I die!!!), so I'm not exactly normal. ;-)

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Not to be confused with the Oxford Coma which I think is a drink developed in the UK and a key ingredient is warm beer. I could be wrong.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    "A woman can do anything a man can do."

    There is a joke about that that will not be repeated here.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I thought it was the Oxford Commer...but I could have been in a coma. It's happened...

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    As a female in a very male-dominated career, I don't get my undies in a bunch about the generic use of "he". But I am trying to make a conscious effort (in my 56-yr-old brain) to use "they" if I don't actually know a person's gender. I thank my adult sons for helping me to be more intentional in my use of gender pronouns.

    Oh, and I would be concerned, if I was the OP, about building to a set of plans that haven't been cleared by a professional.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    There may be local structural engineers who have CAD services also available. Often they can provide the balance of your needs.

  • 8 years ago

    worthy.....I agree IF he had used 'they'......he didn't. Woman are really starting to get into this business. There is a local woman (Charlotte, NC area) that specializes in 1 million buck houses.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    To stay on this sidetrack, Julia Morgan is one of my favorite architects.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Morgan

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    "..."They" used as a singular is increasingly accepted as a gender neutral pronoun..."

    Well...bless all-y'all's little hearts...over hyar in south-central Texas, we knowed for years that y'all is singular and all-y'all is plural.

    We doan need no instruction about grammar...she's at the bowlin' alley...be home around six...

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Oh, Mr. Virgil, Sugar, surely you've seen this, just happen to forget #2?

    http://yestotexas.com/how-to-speak-texan/

    #2 Never say "you guys" or "all of you"

    Y'ALL

    It’s not one-size-fits-yall though. When you’re talkin’ to one person,
    you still should use the word “you”. When addressin’ two folks, go ahead
    and fire up that good deep y’all. For three or more folks though, add
    in an “all” to your y’all, for a nice round “all y’all” and you’ll be
    grammatically correct.

    - - - - - - - - - - - -

    You're most welcome.

    *curtsy*

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Dear Ms. Curtsy (I like that name, by the way), y'all are talkin' about how they speak up in citified and fancy Dallas...they's got manners and all that stuff up thar...them folks speak with "g" on the ends of their words and stuff...

    Down hyar in south central Texas, we'uns just cut to the chase...more than one is more than one...pretty shore.

    Wish Bob was still hyar to help me with this learnin'...

  • 8 years ago

    Down hyar in south central Texas, we'uns just cut to the chase...more than one is more than one...pretty shore.

    I s'pose you're right... 'specially if all's ya got is 2 fingers for countin'.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Is there more than 2 fingers for countin'?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Scott - They're not going to stop until you start over with an architect.

  • 8 years ago

    Can you post a pic of the plans?