ENGINEERING
Engineering is generally needed for a building permit. Permit requirements
vary greatly from area to area. We suggest consulting with your local
Building Department (Planning, Fire, Grading and Drainage, etc could also be
needed). We can give you some guidance on what kind of questions to ask.
Please feel free to give us a call to discuss some project specifics.
If you order an engineering package, we will draft the plans and provide them to
you along with calculations (math proving the design, per the code) for the
building and basic foundation design. The drawings and calculations will
be stamped by a licensed California Civil Engineer. The calculation
process is time consuming, we can provide an estimate at the time of order, but
it is usually 7-10 weeks.
A new building code was implemented in 2008. The change was not an update,
but a whole new code. Please expect the engineering and permit process to
be sluggish while engineers and plancheckers, as well as manufacturer's and
contractors, become familiar with the new requirements.
At minimum: A site (plot) plan will also need to be produced showing the
structure's location on your property and several other items. We can help
you with the plot plan or draft it for you. Then the drawings,
calculations, and plot plan can be used to start plancheck. Depending on
the project and location, plancheck can be minutes or weeks, but averages 1-2 months. After plancheck, manufacturing and construction can begin.
In California, we strongly recommend NOT starting manufacturing until plancheck
is complete.
The foundation engineering we provide is a basic design. That is, it will
not incorporate any soil, geology, grading, hydrology, drainage, etc
requirements that may need an additional engineer.
Please feel free to contact us for more information regarding your specific
project and location. We have seen very different requirements for
projects that are literally across the street from one another. So we
cannot advise you on a set of questions for the Building Department without
discussing the project with you.
