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What is the
cost of a set of drawings for my
project?
| Prices vary
significantly depending on the scope
of the work, the complexity of the building and on the amount of plans
that are required to cover the aspects that are relevant to the
job.Give us a call and we will give you a preliminary estimate based on
the information that you provide us. |
I am planning
a room addition to my home, how big
can I make it?
| It depends on the
Zoning regulations that apply
to the location of your home.For example, in Chicago the parameter to
determine what is the allowed size of a residential building is
determined by the zoning district in which the house is located. We can
make a site visit and will tell you what are the limitations so you
know what you will be allowed to build or what modifications you should
make to your desired home addition. |
I received a
Building Violation document from the
City, What do I do now?
| Building violations
are issued by the Building
Department when an inspector finds an issue with your building where
the Building Code is been violated.There are many reasons why
your building can be cited with a violation, for example if an
inspector found recent work on your building and no building permit was
obtained, he will typically issue a "Stop Work Order" and will require
the owner to submit plans and other documentation to the City and
obtain a Building Permit. Another reason might be if an inspector found
a deteriorated part of your building which pose a danger to its
inhabitants or neighbors like a front or rear yard porch. |
I received a Building
Violation for having an
illegal unit in my Basement
Basements in most of
the existing older buildings
typically where not designed and built to be used as living spaces, the
Building Code requires that
living spaces in basements meet all the
necessary requirements established by both the Zoning and Building
Codes to be allowed to be used as habitable spaces. There are a few
options where you can document and legalize rooms in existing
basements, call us to set up and appointment. |
I own a
building and want to change its use, will I
be allowed to do it?
| It depends on the
proposed use of the building,
its current zoning district where it is located and on the construction
type of it and its size. Give us a call. |
How long does
it take to obtain a Building Permit?
| The average time to
obtain a permit start at
about a month and some applications can take several months depending
on the type of the project that we are dealing with. Some permit
applications require additional procedures that can deem necessary time
like applications for zoning variations, zoning administrative
adjustments, building board of appeals and other ones. Let us know
about your project and we will let you identify these potential
requirements and how to best approach them. |
My porch is in
bad condition, should I tear it down?
| Not necessarily, a
porch might be repaired only
and brought up to code compliance. There are several items that need to
be addressed before a porch can be deemed in a safe and sound
condition. Give us a call to set up an appointment and schedule a porch
inspection by one of our experienced professionals who will guide you
through the advisable porch repair work. |
How long would
it take to have a set of drawings
prepared?
| It varies
depending on the scope of the work. For
example a typical set of plans for a basement conversion takes about
three to four weeks to be completed, while a set of plans for a simple
one story front porch replacement might only take one week. |
How do you
work with your clients?
| Typically we
schedule an appointment with you,
preferably at the project location where you will provide us with
your requirements. At that moment we will likely be able to verbally
inform you if what you have planned is feasible to be approved by the
City or if a special petition might be required. Our proposal of
services includes a complete set of drawings for City review and
completed
application for a Building Permit. Construction Supervision and
Management are optional and separate services from the drawings
preparation and
are not included in the basic services package. |
Do you charge
for the site visit?
| Yes, a nominal
$70.00 fee is charged. That fee
accounts for one hour of consultation and time and material
expense to see you at your location. After that meeting, we
should have enough information to make a formal proposal of services
and an estimated time and price required to prepare and complete your
drawings. If you decide to hire our services, we will give you
credit for the consultation fee towards the architectural plans fee. |
What do I get
from your services?
| You will get
service and advise in addition to
the permit drawings set. Additionally, we will help you coordinate with
your contractors so that the proposed project is completed meeting your
requirements, withing budget and according to the construction schedule
selected. |
Can I add an
apartment for rental to my basement or
attic?
| Adding dwelling
units to an existing building
requires an analysis of the applicable Zoning Code or Ordinance where
your building is located.In most cases, it is very hard to add dwelling
units, for example to a basement in existing two or three flat
building. The Zoning Ordinance requires typically a minimum square
footage for every new dwelling unit to be added to an existing
building. In addition, there are other requirements like the
availability of one or two parking spaces to the proposed new unit,
depending on the zoning district where the building is located. Call us
for a consultation to evaluate he possibilities for your particular
case. |
My back porch
was issued building violations, but I
don't see anything wrong with it , what should I do?
| After a number of
accidents occurred during the
recent past, the Building Authorities have established new
requirements, construction standards and restrictions to structures
like porches and decks. The new porches built have to meet these new
requirements in order to be deemed safe by the Building Departments in
most cities. Among these new requirements are minimum column and floor
joist size for certain spans (distance from support to support),
connection detailing and material grades to name a few. Give us a call
to schedule an inspection to your porch and advise on the most
economical to bring your porch or deck to a safe condition and code
compliance. |
I received
building violations for work that I
didn't perform on my building, am I liable for that work?
| Building
Violations are issued to the registered
owner of a building. What we have seen in the past, is that new owners
of buildings inherit any past building violations and are required to
correct them according to the current Building Code. Give us a call to
evaluate how to correct them in the most economical and practical
manner. |
I own a lot
in the City, what can I build in it?
| What can be built
in a particular lot is
controlled mostly by the Zoning Ordinance. Its zoning district and
particularities of the neighboring buildings establish the lot
setbacks, size, height, shape,location in the lot and what use can the
building have. |
I want to
install larger windows in my house, Why
do I need architectural plans?
| Alterations to
the structure of the house are
normally required to have plans prepared by an architect who will
evaluate what the impact of those new openings whether for new larger
windows or doors, will have on the structural beahvior of the house. |
I want to add
a room to my house, can I be the
contractor for that work?
| If you want to do
work to your building, you are
normally allowed to be the contractor to do the work without the need
for hiring registered contractor in your jurisdiction, but it all
depends on the requirements of your City, Village or Town. Call your
local Building Department for details. |
What is a
plat of survey?
| It is a document
that establishes the size of
your lot, its location in the city and the location and size of the
building in the lot. It is a document necessary for the architect to
establish what can be built to an existing building. Should you not
have a plat of survey of your property, you can order one from a
Surveyor who will need the legal description included in the title
documents of your property. (See the links page for recommended
surveyor in case you do not have one). |
Where can I
apply for a Building Permit?
| In Chicago you
can apply for a building permit at
a Newborhood Permit Center if your building is a residential building
with up to three dwelling units (apartments). If your property has four
or more units, or if it has a business or other use in it, then the
only place where you can apply for a building permit is at City Hall. |
Where can I
look up my house's zoning district?
| In Chicago, you can
look it up online at the City
of Chicago Zoning Department Web Page.In other jurisdictions, you may
be able to see it on its Web page or by calling their respective
Building Department. |
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