Hiring a custom home design architect sends a message to the world. It shows very clearly that you are not going to be satisfied with a cookie cutter home in a housing tract. You want your home built your way. Before you contract with one, however, it’s nice to know what to expect.
So you want to buy a home, and not only that, you want it built to your exacting specifications. Then you are going to need a custom home design architect to help you to get it built, and here are the reasons why. First off, there is the matter of all of the red tape.
Do you know who to contact for an environmental impact study? How about what permits you’re going to need? How many bedrooms are you going to want? How many bathrooms? Are you going to need any special wiring such as for a home theater? An architect will sit down with you and go over the following items, that he will guide you on how to get. You’re going to need:
Site Plan or Survey. This document, which is prepared by a surveyor, shows property lines, easements and all existing structures on the property. It is often included with your closing documents.
Property restrictions, (if applicable). Many properties have regulatory limitations that exceed the city’s or county’s building requirements with restrictive covenants. These covenants can limit the materials, establish mandatory building set-backs and require approval of any plans. Look in your closing documents for these papers. If you aren’t sure if your property has such restrictions, check with your real estate agent, closing attorney, or property association.
Your Clip File. Start an image file by collecting pictures of spaces and buildings you like. Create a list of the rooms and functions you want accommodated. Write down your dream of the perfect experience in your completed home or business. Identify your goals for project schedule and budget.
Floor Plans. A copy of your floor plan is the best record, though many older buildings don’t have these. If the original plans are unavailable, check your closing documents for a plan that may have been included in the appraisal or in the description of the property. If there is not existing documentation, we will field measure the existing building and prepare accurate “as-built” drawings that allow us to develop plans that reflect the actual field conditions to be considered.
Not much. At this point, all you need to do is schedule an appointment with your architect. He will go over custom home designs with you.
We will continue this article, but for now, know that you will need the services of a custom home design architect.
DesignLine Architects, LLC
470 E. Canyon Creek Court ,
Gilbert, AZ 85295
480-710-3861
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Obtaining approved building permit in Tempe has been put on a “fast track” for those who are planning for minor commercial tenant improvement for your business OR for a minor home renovation. These special programs will significantly shorten the plan review and building permit approval process.
Over The Counter Plan Review
If you meet the following criteria and have a form of payment with you, you may be eligible for an Over the Counter Permit. The Building Permit may be processed while you wait, depending on the complexity of the project. Plan check and building permit fees vary depending upon the type of work being done and the valuation.
3. A counter plan review will NOT be provided when any of the following conditions exist:
Please Note: The counter plan review is usually available on TUESDAY and THURSDAY (only) from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. To learn more, call (480) 350-8341 to verify availability of services.
You May Need a Tempe Building Permit, if you’re:
You May NOT Need a Tempe Building Permit, if you’re:
For more Building Permit specific details related to cities that you live or work, click on one of the following links: Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale.
About the Author
A Tempe architect will help you avoid many common mistakes that are made with construction projects. No matter what kind of space you need today, we’ll make sure it’s designed for your needs in the future. This will give you future function built into today’s home addition. To discuss your Tempe building permit needs, contact Doug Rusk at 480-710-3861 or email us at drusk@designlinearchitects.com.
Architect in Tempe
Doug Rusk, Architect DesignLine Architects, LLC Gilbert, Arizona www.designlinearchitects.com
Written By Doug Rusk, Architect
When Dawn, a San Francisco Pharmacist, decided to move closer to her grandkids in Chandler, she found an amazing home that was more than what the doctor ordered. But despite this home’s idyllic location in an exclusive gated Arizona community, Dawn knew that her first move was to renovate her dark, out dated Master Bathroom.
Using a trusted referral for a reputable, licensed contractor, Dawn called Ken from Behrmann Home Basics (BHB) to start work immediately. Ken knew that a quick hand sketch would help Dawn visualize a few alternate ideas for her Master Bath Remodel. So he brought in Gilbert Architect Doug Rusk from DESIGNLine Architects to help Dawn make sense of the many design choices available.
With her casual / contemporary styling preference and a flexible budget in mind, Dawn’s main requirement was to remove the Master Bath Tub in order to make room for a large walk-in shower. Below are pictures of the original Master Bathroom, showing the dated tub/shower combination and two small windows over the vanity.
Although Doug’s first sketches of Option’s 1 & 2 worked reasonably well (shown above), it was Option #3 (shown below) that Dawn immediately knew was the Master Bathroom renovation she wanted.
In addition to removing the Master Bath Tub in order to make room for a large walk-in shower, Dawn wanted the mirrors on the closet doors replaced with a wood paneled door in her Master Bathroom Remodel. She also wanted an electric hair dryer available to grab at a moment’s notice from one of the drawers under the sink that was already plugged in (SHOWN ABOVE). For the borders over the shower and the vanity splash, we used colorful glass tile.
Below are pictures taken during the construction phase, showing the framing, plumbing and electrical work inside the walls. During the short construction phase, the BHB construction team did an amazing job of installing plastic walls with zippers to seal off the construction zone from the main home.
Doug Rusk is the principal at DESIGNLine Architects, LLC located in Gilbert, Arizona. We specialize in residential design and commercial remodeling for small and medium sized businesses with expertise in space planning and interior design consulting. We’ll provide your General Contractor a thorough preliminary design packages that will enable an early construction cost estimate to confirm your budget quickly.
Written By Doug Rusk, Architect
A recent office tenant improvement we performed for a national insurance company showcases a great example of why some businesses are more successful than others. When you’re an insurance business that focuses all day on helping other businesses and individuals with risk prevention, damage protection and safety & Loss control, it’s no surprise to find they are just as smart at handling their own office tenant improvement in a similar way.
So when Mary, their regional Project Manager, needed a reputable General Contractor for her company’s 2875 SF office tenant improvement project in Mesa, she called Joe Harris, managing partner of AZ Construction, LLC. Joe’s first move was to confirm this project qualified for the “Permit By Inspection” program offered by the City of Mesa for minor tenant improvements projects. His second move was to retain Doug Rusk, a principal with DESIGNLine Architects, LLC ASAP, who he knew would make him look good to his client by expediting their design/permit submittal package. And because our client Mary provided a detailed specification package that described all their project goals, Doug’s design team needed only 21 business days from signed design contract to obtain City approved building permit in order to start construction. And Joe’s team needed only 20 business days from building permit approval to finish construction so the tenant could move in.
Overall, the tenant improvement scope of work on this project was relatively straightforward:
– Removed several decorative walls and ceiling elements in the main room.
– Remove the old ceiling work, and replaced with a new 11’-4” high T-bar ceiling, modified layout of lights and mechanical as required.
– Removed glass door wall in order to open up the front entry.
– Built 3 new walls to create one new office and two conference room. Painted Orange contract color on new office walls shown on left in photo above).
– Added all the necessary electrical outlets, power panel updates, lighting and data lines necessary for 12 cubical work stations.
– Updated paint and flooring throughout entire 2875 SF space.
Have you noticed the growing number of unattended office lobbies these days? In order to create efficiencies in our tenant improvement, we down sized the fancy lobby and instead positioned one of the typical workstations to act as the reception (see image above).
After removing the curved, multi-height ceiling elements and added the new office and conference room (see left side of top picture), we installed a new single height ceiling grid. We saved $1600 by carefully designing the new ceiling grid and lighting so that we didn’t have to move too many fire sprinkler heads. Per Mesa Fire Department codes if you relocate no more than 9 fire sprinkler heads, then you will not be required to submit complete fire sprinkler design drawings to the City of Mesa.
So if you’re business will benefit more exposure, consider some of the moves our subject insurance client performed:
– Find a prominent corner location on a busy intersection with a gas station next door. – Provides great drive by exposure to drivers waiting at a stop light.
– Locate your business between nationally franchised restaurants on one side and a Fed-Ex type postage delivery store on the other side. This will provide continuous walk by traffic that will build familiarity to your brand.
About the Author
Doug Rusk is the principal at DESIGNLine Architects, LLC located in Gilbert, Arizona. We specialize in residential and commercial tenant improvement for small and medium sized businesses with expertise in space planning and interior design consulting. We’ll provide your General Contractor a thorough preliminary design packages that will enable an early construction cost estimate to confirm your budget quickly.
If you haven’t already heard… the City of Mesa offers a “shortcut” to obtain building permits for minor commercial remodel. This special program, called “Permit By Inspection” (PBI), will significantly shorten the Plan Review and Permit Approval process – if your project qualifies.
Permit By Inspection (PBI)
The permit by inspection program (PBI) is a voluntary alternative to the standard construction document plan review and building permit approval processes for special projects of certain building uses, occupancies and degree of complexity. The PBI program is intended to provide a stream-lined approach to building permit plan review review and issuance in which senior building inspectors review construction documents in the field and approve the issuance of the building permit. There is a 20% premium for the PBI process on top of the regular building permit fee and other fees.
Benefits of the “Permit By Inspection” (PBI) Process:
There are currently no written criteria to determine if your project will qualify for the building permit by PBI process. To learn more, call Clyde at (480) 644-4273.
If your project does NOT qualify for the PBI process, the regular Plan Review Turn-Around Times at this writing are:
Commercial
Residential
Signs
Over-The-Counter Plan Review
The City of Mesa also offers same day over-the-counter plan reviews for the following projects types:
For more Building Permit specific details related to cities that you live or work, click on one of the following links: Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale.
A Mesa architect will help you avoid many common mistakes that are made with construction projects. No matter what kind of space you need today, we’ll make sure it’s designed for your needs in the future. This will give you future function built into today’s home addition. To discuss your Mesa building permit needs, contact Doug Rusk at 480-710-3861 or email us at drusk@designlinearchitects.com.
Written by Doug Rusk, Architect
Nestled among a large group of Sun Lakes retirement homes, where golf carts dot a sleepy street in South Chandler Arizona, stands a home that’s in desperate need of a Master Bathroom Remodel. bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel
Recent New York transplants, Ana and Ayad, did what most people do when they move into a home that shows signs of mold in their shower; they called a reputable, licensed contractor, who in this case was Ken from Behrmann Home Basics (BHB). Because this wasn’t the first or the last project that Ana and Ayad would need, Ken knew the first step would be to have a quick hand sketch designed by Doug Rusk, from DESIGNLine Architects, that would help his clients visualize a few alternate ideas for their Master Bath Remodel. Ana had a very specific idea in her mind for the Bathroom remodel. bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel
She wanted to remove the makeup counter, drawers and knee space between the two sinks (shown above). “This would leave 3-1/2 feet of space between the sink vanities for a nice sized floor plant”, she said. But because she also wanted the medicine cabinet storage removed also, Doug, her Architect, had another idea for her Master Bath Remodel.
bathroom remodel
He wanted to replace the lost medicine cabinet with storage for a toothbrush, soap and accessories. So Doug also proposed Option A (shown above) which would instead add a tall cabinet between the two vanity sinks, high enough for the vanity counter to extend behind the false cabinet front, creating a storage niche. Ana ended up sticking with her original Master Bath remodel vision and kept the space for a healthy green plant. bathroom remodel
Here is the shower converted from a light pink, vintage 1992 ceramic, to a more updated ceramic tile finish, with a textured glass, frame-less enclosure. Below are a few pictures that show the Master Bathroom remodel.athroom remodel
Many of the Sun Lakes home, built in the early 1990’s, are well designed and have great bones. Now that these homes are getting a little older, certain areas need updating. With some strategic planning, the lives of these homes can be extended for another 20 years +. Intelligently remodeling an existing house to make it last for another generation is also one of the most sustainable things a homeowner can do.
Below we’ve outlined a couple of our primary strategies you should consider for your next home remodel:
While it would typically be ideal to update the entire home, most homeowners have a budget that requires a limited scope; being aware of where dollars are spent allows a homeowner to get the most renovation for their buck. Usually there are certain areas of older homes that need the most attention and we’ve found that the kitchen and bathrooms remodeling are typically most in need of modernizing. bathroom remodel
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to stop with a home renovation. While you’re updating the kitchen, it’s tempting to also update a few things in the living room, and then why not replace too old, hall bath shower enclosure and, then you realize, that awful garage floor needs that speckled paint you always wanted. Before you know it, budget creep occurs. We find it useful stay true to your budget and to specifically define where the remodel is ending.
Doug Rusk is the principal at DESIGNLine Architects, LLC located in Gilbert, Arizona. We specialize in residential and commercial remodeling for small and medium sized businesses with expertise in space planning and interior design consulting. We’ll provide your General Contractor a thorough preliminary design packages that will enable an early construction cost estimate to confirm your Master Bath remodel budget quickly. bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel
Chandler is one small business richer since a new bread making business, Gratifying Grains LLC, opened this week. The new Mother and Daughter owners, Betsy Moore and Megan Moore, said that “because they only planned on a minor remodel, the City of Chandler offered us an expedited process to obtain our tenant improvement building permits.”
But they’re not the only ones. Many new Chandler businesses, who are planning to apply for a minor commercial tenant improvement (TI), have recently utilized this special Chandler program called the Small Business Assistance Program. According to Betsy, “this terrific program significantly shortened the plan review time and building permit approval process for us. “ Because not all construction projects will qualify for this program, she recommended that people call Martin Perez at 480-782-3138 for more information.
Small Business Assistance Program
The Small Business Assistance Program is similar, but slightly different, to the Permit By Inspection (PBI) program offered at other Southeast Valley cities. Here’s how it works. A four member team from the Development Services staff, called the Small Business Assistance Team, will visit your new tenant space, and then mail you a written letter that identifies any issues of “significant importance” that might have the potential of costing you time and money. This team is available at no cost and is intended to assist the small business community by helping clients navigate the City’s planning, building permit and licensing process.
There are currently no written qualifications to define a “minor tenant improvement”. To learn more, call Martin Perez at 480-782-3138.
Phone: Call Martin Perez at 480-782-3138 to answer expedited method of obtaining building permits.
May Need a Phoenix Building Permit, if you’re:
You May NOT Need a Phoenix Building Permit, if you’re:
For more Building Permit specific details related to cities that you live or work, click on one of the following links: Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale.
A Chandler architect will help you avoid many common mistakes that are made with construction projects. No matter what kind of space you need today, we’ll make sure it’s designed for your needs in the future. This will give you future function built into today’s home addition. To discuss your Chandler building permit needs, contact Doug Rusk at 480-710-3861 or email us at drusk@designlinearchitects.com. building permits, Building Permits, Building Permits, Building Permits
“We just want to convert a storage closet into a small break area and move a few walls. “
“How much do you think it will cost for our remodel?”
Clients call me with questions like these who are considering the remodel or relocation of their Gilbert business. After the prospective landlord offers a tenant improvement allowance, I’ll get a call asking me to confirm if the offered will be sufficient to cover any costs incurred during the commercial remodel, hoping they will not have to come out of pocket to pay for the construction and design work.
Yes the question is simple, but the answer is never easy and usually followed by a series of disclaimers, taking away all value to the answer.
When lease negotiations start to move quickly, the prospective tenant can understandably become very frustrated when they are asked to execute a contract before fully evaluating their financial commitments. And when the cost of the tenant improvement cannot be established upfront, it makes the decision more difficult to accept any lease offer.
Many Gilbert businesses these days are choosing to make a few minor revisions to their existing office space instead of building a new office building or even undertaking a tenant improvement. Whether dividing up office space to sub-lease a portion of it, or making changes that improve productivity, or attract customers, companies are searching for ways to increase revenue with minimal expense.
Despite the fact that your tenant improvement design may appear to be the same as your last one, in truth it has never been built before. Many of the workers that have been hired for your project may not have ever worked together in the past. These new workers may require training in order to address the special conditions of your unique space and be required to interpret a design they have never seen before. It is this diverse combination of workers as well as the unique conditions of your project that drives the fluctuating, unpredictability in labor cost.
Moving walls for tenant improvements is not as straightforward as most people think.
Actually, walls are not moved at all.
Many subcontractors (trades) are needed to relocate even one wall, so a General Contractor (GC) must be hired to coordinate the necessary sequence of events amongst the various trades. The GC will hire framing, drywall, HVAC, electrical, cabling, flooring, and demolition trades, and charge a management fee about 10 – 30% above and beyond the total trade’s fees. A minimum amount is charged to make it worth their effort, so small tenant improvement projects in Gilbert can cost more per square foot than large projects.
So back to the all important question, “How much will it cost?”
Generally, the Design/Build approach works like this:
Doug Rusk is the principal at DESIGNLine Architects, LLC located in Gilbert, Arizona. We specialize in residential and commercial remodeling for small and medium sized businesses with expertise in space planning and interior design consulting. We’ll provide your General Contractor a thorough preliminary design packages that will enable an early construction cost estimate to confirm your budget quickly.
If you’re building a minor residential or commercial remodel in City of Scottsdale and need a building permit, there are special programs in place that will significantly shorten the plan review and permit approval process.
If you meet the following criteria and have a form of payment with you, you may be eligible for an Over the Counter Buliding Permit. The building permit may be processed while you wait, depending on the complexity of the project. Plan check and building permit fees vary depending upon the type of work being done and the valuation.
1. For smaller residential remodels/additions, the City of Scottsdale offers a convenient over-the-counter plan review and building permit process, available Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, opening at 10 AM on Wednesdays. Plan Review is completed over the counter at the One Stop Shop.
Over The Counter Plan Review
– Home Remodels or Additions less than 1000 SF – no second floor additions.
– Patio additions and enclosures.
– Carports enclosures into garages or livable space.
– Garage conversions to livable space.
– Non-habitable accessory buildings less than 1000 SF.
– Solar panels that are in compliance with City of Scottsdale placement guidelines.
– Properties with non-conforming structures and/or properties, requiring additional research, may be submitted for a standard 20 day review.
– Projects zoned Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) must be submitted for a 20 day review.
– During busy waiting periods, only one plan per customer will be honored.
2. The City of Scottsdale is now processing minor Commercial Tenant Improvements (TIs) using a two-tiered process that will allow certain types of TIs to be reviewed, and building permits issued, either same day or within 15 days of submittal. building permit, building permit, building permit
Over The Counter Plan Review
– 2,000 sq. ft. MAX
– Group B or M occupancy ONLY
– Single-story, non-structural
– No use changes
– Do not require a Use Permit
– Do not require a Use Permit
– Ask for a Counter Plan Reviewer
15-Day T.I. / Commercial Remodel Review
– Groups A, B, E or M occupancy ONLY
– Non Structural
– No use changes
– No Use Permit required
– No exterior work* (other than roof mounted equipment that is fully screened)
3. Projects north of the CAP will require some planning input before approving for over-the-counter review. Please ask to speak with a Planner.
4. Fire Sprinklers – Any residential improvement that involves 25% or more of the existing structure; and/or adds more than 25% to the original structure, requires that fire sprinklers be installed in the entire home.
5. Building Code – Any residential improvement that involves 50% or more of the existing structure; and/or adds more than 50% to the original structure, requires that entire structure must be brought up to the current Building Code standards.
6. Water & Sewer improvements may be required.
If your project does NOT qualify for the Over The Counter Plan Review process, the regular Plan Review Turn-Around Times at this writing are:
Commercial
– 15 business day review – Tenant Improvement (See item #2 above)
– 20 business day review – Downtown Projects less than 3,000 sq.ft.
– 10 day expedite review (100% of building permit fee)
– Super expedite review with negotiated turn-around time (200% of building permit fee)
Residential
– 20 business day review (5 days for master plot plans)
– 5 day expedite review (100% of building permit fee)
Signs
– 10 business days
– Get Your Sign Permit Approved in One Review – 10 Steps!
To learn more, call 480-312-2500 at the One Stop Shop 7447 E Indian School Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Please Note: The counter plan review is usually available on TUESDAY and THURSDAY (only) from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. To learn more, call (480) 350-8341 to verify availability of services.
For more Building Permit specific details related to cities that you live or work, click on one of the following links: Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale. building permit, building permit, building permit
A Scottsdale architect will help you avoid many common mistakes that are made with construction projects. No matter what kind of space you need today, we’ll make sure it’s designed for your needs in the future. This will give you future function built into today’s home or office remodel. To discuss your Scottsdale building permit needs, contact Doug Rusk at 480-710-3861 or email us at drusk@designlinearchitects.com. building permit, building permit, building permit
The City of Phoenix has “cut the red tape” for obtaining building permits. If you’re planning a minor Commercial or Residential remodel, there is a special program in place at the City of Phoenix that will greatly REDUCE the Permit and Plan Review approval process. Not all construction projects will qualify for what is called a “Permit By Inspector” option, so call 602-262-7811 to review your projects scope of work.
If you meet the following criteria and have a form of payment with you, you may be eligible for an Permit By Inspector (PBI) Permit. The building permit may be processed while you wait, depending on the complexity of the project. Plan check and building permit fees vary depending upon the type of work being done and the valuation.
1. The City of Phoenix’s PBI program – created for minor commercial tenant improvements – allows customers to obtain plan review and building permit approval at the job site. Inspection staff will review plans on site and determine when you can begin construction.
COMMERCIAL TENANT IMPROVEMENT QUALIFICATIONS:
Permit by Inspector (PBI)
The Permit By Inspector (PBI) process is designed to expedite the plan review process by sending plans to the field inspectors for review after a short preliminary office review. The inspectors perform the plan review and compare the plans with the existing conditions. After the review is complete, the inspectors issue the building permit and give approval at the job site for construction to begin. Customers follow the standard inspection request and approval process as construction progresses through completion of the project.
QUALIFICATIONS:
THE PROJECT CANNOT:
2. The City of Phoenix PBI program – created for minor home interior remodels – allows customers to obtain plan review and building permit approval at the job site. Inspection staff will review plans on site and determine when you can begin construction.
EligibleProjects
Non-Eligible Projects
Projects other than those described may be considered for the PBI process. Contact Development Services for more information, 602-262-7811.
For more Building Permit specific details related to cities that you live or work, click on one of the following links: Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale.
About the Author
A Phoenix architect will help you avoid many common mistakes that are made with construction projects. No matter what kind of space you need today, we’ll make sure it’s designed for your needs in the future. This will give you future function built into today’s home addition. . To discuss your Phoenix building permit needs, contact Doug Rusk at 480-710-3861 or email us at drusk@designlinearchitects.com.