Expert: Paul S. Brown, AIA - 9/9/2005

Question
We are currently working towards remodeling our home (Dec 2005) and have drawn out our ideas on the computer also we are measuring all internal/external walls ourselves and hoping to get the original plans of the house. Is it possible to use our ideas without going through a designer and how do we turn them into drawings/blue prints?  Does this mean we need to go straight to an architect or do we still need a designer to draw up the plans?  We are confused and also trying to save as much money as we can !  Many thanks Louise.

Answer
Hi Louise:
I taught a course once at my local High School for the Adult Continuing Ed program titled "How to design your own house addition".  Yes, it is possible for you do most all of the design and drafting work yourself.  Most local building regulations still allow a homeowner to do their own plans, for their own house.  The local inspector may, however, ask you to have a structural engineer evaluate any unusual conditions in your design, if the inspector has any doubts about the structural integrity of the proposed work.
Now, having said that it is possible, the next question is, should you do it this way, on your  own, or should you hire someone?  This is an individual question.  It depends on your own capability, the amount of time you have available, and your preferences on how you run the project.  In the course I taught I had 8 students the first night.  Two dropped out; only one went on and actually did complete an addition on his home, doing all the work himself except having a structural engineer check and stamp his drawings.  My student was an electrical engineer with a lot of basic technical ability.
Some options:  1) do all the design and drafting work yourself, working with the local building inspector; then go hire a builder. Or, 2) do the preliminary design work only, and hire a builder who can also do the final plans.  The builder probably will use an architect, and you will still pay for it, but you will only deal with the builder.  Or, 3) take your preliminary sketches to an architect, let him work out the details and do the drafted plans, and then bid it out to a few builders.
Lots of choices for approach, it really depends on what fits your lifestyle.  Of course, as an architect, I recommend #3, particularly if you want anything that is in anyway 'special'.
Most important: In all cases work closely with your local building inspector, and have fun!
Cheers,
PB