G. Marshall Elberson, LP - General Building Contractors - Glendale, CA | BBB Business Report
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Plans and Permits
Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need permits to remodel? Answer: Yes. The local Departments of Building and Safety in your community will required permits for just about everything. Permits for remodeling are easy to obtain for a licensed contractor, and the city verifies a contractor’s credentials when he is pulling the permit.
2. Should the homeowner pull the permits for the contractor? Answer: No. If you have a contractor that wants you to pull the permits, under the “ownerbuilder” clause, beware of this contractor. All California contractors must produce their state contractors license, city business license and proof of workers’ compensation insurance to pull a permit.
3. Do I need architectural plans and permits for a room addition? Answer: Yes. Homeowners will need an architect and/or engineer when adding square footage to any structure, or when modifying the structural system itself. For example: Let’s say you are remodeling the kitchen, and you wish to replace a 36” exterior door with a sliding patio door set-up that is six or eight feet wide. Naturally the opening will have to be enlarged to accommodate the larger door and when this happens the city wants plans and calculations. No plans are required when the size of the opening, for any window or door, remains the same.
4. Do I need architectural plans for remodeling my kitchen or bathroom? Answer: No. As long as no modifications are being made to the structural system, such as removing a bearing wall, or enlarging an opening in the exterior wall. This is what we call an “express permit” and may be done online in certain cities.
5. Do I need architectural plans and permits for a deck? Answer: Not Always. How high is the deck from the ground? If the deck is more than 32” from the ground, it will require plans and permits. If the deck is on a hillside, more than likely a soils test will be required along with the architect's plan and permits.
6. Do I need permits to build a six foot block wall? Answer: Yes. Almost all cities require permits for a six foot block wall, but garden walls and terracing do not require permits.
7. Can I build a six foot fence or wall in front of my house? Answer: No. The standard code does not allow a six foot wall or fence in the front yard of your home. However, obtaining a city variance of the code is always an option, but a very long process and fairly expensive.
8. Do I need a permit to build a six foot fence along the side yard or the back property line? Answer: No. A wood fence along either side or the back of the house requires no permit; however, a block wall in most cities requires a permit (express permit, no architect or engineer).
9. How much do permits cost? Answer: The cost will vary. From job to job, and city to city, the cost of the permits will vary to some extent; but, the cost of the permits is relatively inexpensive for the smaller projects. When you have an architect and engineer involved with the city, the cost will rise according the scope of the work. Typically, one half a percent to one percent is the approximate cost.
10. Why do I need permits for smaller remodel jobs? Answer: Better safe than sorry. The city has roving inspectors that look for projects in their area, and they know who has permits and who doesn’t. If you are served with a “stop notice” for any work being done, there could be fines involved, rip out what you have done, restore to the original condition, pull permits anyway and this just causes havoc for both the customer and the general contractor. With permits, the work is inspected and passed if in compliance; therefore, the city inspection is designed to help the homeowner as well as the contractor. Peace of Mind !
If you have any questions please contact us at our website or send us an email.
- G. Marshall Elberson, a limited partnership
- Glendale General Contractors
- Email: newmarshallntown@msn.com
Glendale General Contractor - Plan and Permits
Plans & Permits
ROOM ADDITIONS
Architectural plans will be required when adding square footage to any building with the city in which you may reside. These plans are submitted by the architect to the Department of Building and Safety, and are reviewed prior to the issuance of the building permits. After the plans are approved, the original set of plans are stamped by the city and returned to the homeowner. Upon receiving the approved plans, an accurate estimate of the project costs may be provided by the general contractor.
However, before going to the expense of hiring an architect, it would be prudent to get the advice of a general contractor concerning the approximate cost of building the addition to your home. If you are planning a room addition, please contact us to schedule a meeting to discuss the details of your project, which is one of the most important investments a homeowner will make.
REMODELS
Usually, architectural plans are not needed when remodeling any part of your home; however, the Department of Building and Safety will require permits for any remodeling. Ascertaining whether an architect is needed, and what kind of permits will be required, should be determined prior to spending a great deal of time planning the project. The general contractor should make a jobsite visit to discuss your project, and during this visit, he should be able to make a knowledgeable decision by general observations if an architect or plans will be required.
If you are planning a remodel, please contact us to make an appointment and schedule a meeting to discuss the details of your remodel. At this initial meeting, we will be able to provide you with the structural information mentioned above, along with a general overview of your project.
STRUCTURAL
Structural design is the engineering and calculations that determine if the structure complies with the local building codes. Structural design includes numerous categories, from the foundation on which your home is built, to a ridge beam that supports the roof over your home, and includes the interior bearing walls and all of the exterior walls. An architect or an engineer is required to provide plans and calculations to the Department of Building and Safety if altering any existing structural members. Architectural plans and engineering are also required when building a retaining wall or a deck that will exceed height limitations set by the local building codes.
Free standing block walls that are 6’ high do not need plans; however, since the 1995 earthquake, the city has certain guidelines to follow and permits are required. If a decking project does not exceed the height limitations set by the building codes, neither plans nor permits are required. If you have any question please contact us.
ARCHITECT
When working with architects and engineers the home owner needs to participate in the designing process to assure themselves that the end product or the design is what they are expecting. The Department of Building and Safety that governs the issuance of the permits, may require structural observation during the construction process of any room addition, or structural changes to any project within the city. It is the sole responsibility of the homeowner to determine who will be performing these duties, and predetermine the rate or charges incurred by the professional providing these services. If you need an architect for your next construction project, please contact Tom Avila, Architect.
ROOM ADDITIONS
Architectural plans will be required when adding square footage to any building with the city in which you may reside. These plans are submitted by the architect to the Department of Building and Safety, and are reviewed prior to the issuance of the building permits. After the plans are approved, the original set of plans are stamped by the city and returned to the homeowner. Upon receiving the approved plans, an accurate estimate of the project costs may be provided by the general contractor.
However, before going to the expense of hiring an architect, it would be prudent to get the advice of a general contractor concerning the approximate cost of building the addition to your home. If you are planning a room addition, please contact us to schedule a meeting to discuss the details of your project, which is one of the most important investments a homeowner will make.
REMODELS
Usually, architectural plans are not needed when remodeling any part of your home; however, the Department of Building and Safety will require permits for any remodeling. Ascertaining whether an architect is needed, and what kind of permits will be required, should be determined prior to spending a great deal of time planning the project. The general contractor should make a jobsite visit to discuss your project, and during this visit, he should be able to make a knowledgeable decision by general observations if an architect or plans will be required.
If you are planning a remodel, please contact us to make an appointment and schedule a meeting to discuss the details of your remodel. At this initial meeting, we will be able to provide you with the structural information mentioned above, along with a general overview of your project.
STRUCTURAL
Structural design is the engineering and calculations that determine if the structure complies with the local building codes. Structural design includes numerous categories, from the foundation on which your home is built, to a ridge beam that supports the roof over your home, and includes the interior bearing walls and all of the exterior walls. An architect or an engineer is required to provide plans and calculations to the Department of Building and Safety if altering any existing structural members. Architectural plans and engineering are also required when building a retaining wall or a deck that will exceed height limitations set by the local building codes.
Free standing block walls that are 6’ high do not need plans; however, since the 1995 earthquake, the city has certain guidelines to follow and permits are required. If a decking project does not exceed the height limitations set by the building codes, neither plans nor permits are required. If you have any question please contact us.
ARCHITECT
When working with architects and engineers the home owner needs to participate in the designing process to assure themselves that the end product or the design is what they are expecting. The Department of Building and Safety that governs the issuance of the permits, may require structural observation during the construction process of any room addition, or structural changes to any project within the city. It is the sole responsibility of the homeowner to determine who will be performing these duties, and predetermine the rate or charges incurred by the professional providing these services. If you need an architect for your next construction project, please contact Tom Avila, Architect.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
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