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Can a homeowner prepare the drawings, obtain a building permit, and construct a house or addition without consulting an architect/engineer/contractor?

April 26, 2017addition architect building construct Consulting contractor drawings engineer Homeowner House obtain permit prepare

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Can a homeowner prepare the drawings, obtain a building permit, and construct a house or addition without consulting an architect/engineer/contractor?

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Yes, if the house is one story and is essentially of regular shape without off sets and without large openings in the walls for doors and windows. An owner needs to be able to read and interpret, in addition to other code sections, the “Conventional Light Frame Construction” regulations in chapter 23 of the California Building Code and use the information therein to specify the structural member sizes on plan. Read the Plan Submittal Requirements to see if you are capable to prepare the documents stipulated therein. If you can’t, then you are strongly advised to hire a professional architect or engineer to prepare the design and construction document for your project.