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Hello Paul - my husband and I are planning to build a home over the winter and have found a basic house plan that we like online, however we need quite a lot of modifications made to it and then need the blueprints, of course. In your experience, would we be smart to pay the $1,000 to the online company to revise the plan and send us the blueprints (and are they good about making sure it's code for Maine???) or do we take it to a local draftsperson at a lumber yard...we don't want to commit to purchasing all of our materials/supplies from a lumber yard (in that case, the drafts service would be free, I believe) - do you know how much they generally charge for drafting? Since it looks like you do some work in Maine, maybe you have someone affordable that you would recommend! (we're in southern Maine) Thank you in advance for answering my rambling questions :) FYI we are planning to build the following image, but adding an attached in-law addition.
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Hi Lisa:
My wife and I have a small cabin in Lovell that we use on weekends, so I know how beautiful the southern Maine area is; congrats on your project!
Well, let's see, you have actually already told me some things in your question that I did not know... but let's see if I can help out.
If you use the plan service to make the revisions, first be sure to ask them if you will get final drawings that carry a professional stamp; either a structural engineer's stamp or an architect's stamp, and one that is for a professional who is registered in Maine. At the same time, you should ask your local building inspector if he/she requires such a stamp, and what sort of professional stamp is acceptable. They may accept an engineers stamp from another state for a residential project. But before you plop down the $1000, you should be clear on this issue, and whether the plans are going to be acceptable to apply for a permit in your local jurisdiction.
Going the lumberyard route: I suspect that if you are using Hancock lumber, for example, that their prices on materials would be competitive, regardless of whether they did the plans or not. But again, you can check this up front and ask them to tell you exactly what the charges will be. Clearly, they need to recover their drafting fees somehow; they should be able to explain to you how they do it. (and I would be interested to know; I did not actually know that they provide services like this.) And of course, all of the same questions apply about who is stamping the plans, and will it be acceptable to your local inspector. But, I imagine that the local lumberyard, if they offer this service, must have that pretty well worked out.
Either one of these options sounds less expensive than directly hiring a local architect or engineer; but that is of course always an option also.
Good luck; I hope this helped.
PB
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 9 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you, Paul, for your prompt answer...it is helpful to know about the stamp issue, so we will be sure to check. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Paul S. Brown, AIA
Expertise
How to work with an Architect. What to expect for design fees. What services are normally included; what are not included? How do I find an Architect in my area? Why do I need an Architect? How to be clear about your space needs. Why time must be managed properly.
Experience
24 years involvement in the practice of Architecture, including some teaching experience. Most of my work has been within the employment of various firms, but I have also done some small-scale projects on my own.
Particular interests include Environmental Design, "Green" Design, and Appropriate Technologies. LEED (TM) Accredited Professional.
I have some specific experience with Historic Preservation, Medical Facilities, Commercial Interiors, and Public School projects.
Education: Bachelor of Environmental Design Degree (Architecture), 1978, Miami University in Ohio. I am registered to practice professionally in the states of Massachusetts and Maine.
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