Frequently Asked Questions
As your residential building designer in Arizona, All-Pro Home Services is committed to delivering precise details and complete plans that allow you to accomplish your project goals. Below are the answers to some of our clients’ frequently asked questions.
Most designers have practical work experience in place of advanced degrees and licenses. At All-Pro Home Services, this is particularly true. With hands-on experience in both the construction and design of custom homes, additions, and remodeling projects, we have the ability to perform many services with confidence. As such, we have a proven track record that allows us to work closely with homeowners and builders. We offer virtually the same services that traditional architectural firms provide. In reality, 90% of all residential projects do not require architects. First, designers are not licensed architects. Designers may have similar education, but usually, they have not received graduate degrees or gone through the license exam procedures. In fact, we do frequently work with architects when it is required depending on the size and type of project.
Note: It is very important that when we talk about these differences, you remember that the main factor to consider when deciding who to hire is contingent on current state laws that regulate what a designer can and cannot do. Any good designer should know the law, the limits of their own ability, and the wisdom to know the difference. I have referred many projects to architects due to the scope of the project and/or state law. The ability to know when this is a necessity should never be questioned by a designer.
All-Pro Home Services can provide structural that meets the “conventional construction” criteria specified within the state code as well as what plan examiners require. Buildings that do not meet these criteria—for example, buildings that do not meet the wall bracing (shear wall) requirements—are by definition “non-conventional construction” and require structural design by a state-licensed engineer. We work closely with several reputable engineers, and an architect would also have to acquire the same services from a structural engineer. There is no way around this requirement when it is needed, so there are no differences between what All-Pro Home Services can provide regarding any engineering plans.
Computer-aided design (CAD), which is also known as computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), is used by most architects and engineers. Prior to CAD, all design and drafting were done on the board (pencil and paper). CAD software has many advantages that allow for more precise drawing, and it does make it easier for the designer to share plans with the clients. In addition, it is easier to send these CAD files to general contractors and engineers and allows secure archiving of these projects without taking up physical storage space.
There is a certain amount of overlap between what an architectural design firm does and what an interior designer can do. We have a primary responsibility to provide the architectural plans needed to obtain permits from local building authorities (e.g., planning, approval, and building permits). The working drawings we provide are needed for the builder or general contractor. At the owner’s discretion, which is rarely done, we will specify the style, manufacturer, and model number for products such as doors, windows, skylights, roofing, walls, floors, lighting, fireplaces, plumbing fixtures, kitchen appliances, etc. We rarely do this, as the overall budget may be discussed with the contractor in how to minimize overall costs. We typically don’t specify furniture, window coverings, or interior color schemes. Some interior designers seem to want to change the overall floor designs, which can be a disaster in the making as the overall construction methods and material application to build it have already been established. For this reason, interior designers should never be called in until final working drawings have been completed. Their role and priorities begin after the working drawings are completed, and in many cases, should begin after the structure has been roughed-in and possibly drywall installed.
It is very important that we discuss your budget, goals, and specific needs. Onsite visits allow us to address any issues with the site and the building envelope, whether it is an addition or a new home. If you have taken the time to sketch or collect articles of things you like, have them available for review. I always suggest making a list of what you need, what you want, and maybe a wish or two. This allows an initial evaluation of what can be done structurally as well as what can be built for the budget at hand.
All-Pro Home Services confirms issues of setbacks, easements, flood plains, lot coverage, HOA CC&Rs (if applicable) before any project is initiated. We must confirm the building envelope size and all existing buildings onsite (if applicable) to determine what we can build.
Building codes establish minimum standards that must be conformed to in residential construction. On any project, the requirements within the municipality your project is located will determine the standards. Most use the International Residential Code "IRC" for one- and two-family dwellings. A new version is released approximately every 3 years. Each municipality decides when to update to the latest version, and as such, verification to what they are using is always done prior to any design concept or final construction documents.
The Design process alone is usually 2-3 weeks, depending on the project. The overall time frame to provide a complete set of plans can be as little as 30 days, 90 days or longer. Understand that if any engineering is required, Survey, Grade and Drainage, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Structural can extend the amount of time to complete plan set. This is all dependent on your reviews/changes, as well as the current workload at All-Pro Home Services. No plan will ever be released without knowing that we have addressed all issues prior to drawing the final set of plans and that we have provided an accurate and comprehensive set for you and your contractor.
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All-Pro Home Services provides a complete, thorough, and accurate set of construction drawings. Each plan set contains comprehensive structural plans from foundation to roof framing. Final construction drawings are produced using the latest in computer drafting software to ensure better accuracy. Our plans are drawn to comply with the latest edition of the IRC building code. Your plans will contain all the information needed to obtain a building permit, and all the detail necessary to work with various contractors. It is essential when we are doing any project, that if any information is needed, it must be provided in a timely manner to ensure that we are accurate in preparing the final set of construction documents.
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