Architect or Engineer Stamp on your own home design (Hilo: lease, insurance)

[stevo6]

Originally Posted by daijoubu

Well, isn't that the purpose of the county building permit inspector, that my plan is reviewed for safety and compliance to code, or else they wouldn't approve it? Why do I need another architect to essentially duplicate this effort?

The inspector is simply doing a check of the work that the architect did. It is not usually comprehensive.

[KauaiHiker]

Originally Posted by daijoubu

I think if someone wants to do it themselves using approved software, this should be allowed as well.

The key word here is "approved." To my knowledge, software is not certified to produce valid plans. Perhaps it can, but that doesn't mean it has the same liability that an architect does. Plus, does the software have the ability to take into account all the local codes? I work in software, and I think the day is still a long ways away when the government certifies software to produce building plans for individuals--too much would need to change on the software side and the government side. But it would be interesting: a tool that takes local codes as input, lets the user do a rough design, and creates guaranteed plans as output. I had a friend who worked for an architect, and that was essentially he job.

Originally Posted by daijoubu

BTW, if you could recommend some architects in the Puna area who might be willing to work with an owner-builder with the right software, and sign off on the plans for a modest fee, please let me know privately.

This is the way to go. Get referred to a friend of a friend who works for an architect, and make a deal.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by stevo6

...but the Architect doesn't need to live in Hawaii to have a Hawaii stamp. He /she needs to have either passed the Hawaii exam, or received reciprocity through the NCARB.

My Denver architect formerly lived and worked in Hawai'i, but is no longer licensed in Hawai'i. That's why he sent it on to an associate in Hawai'i for the stamp. It cost me nothing so it was immaterial.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by OpenD

You have a misunderstanding of what you are paying for. They have to review every aspect of your plan for safety and compliance to code, because when their stamp goes on the plan, they are certifying the suitability of the plan, and now have a professional accountability and liability to the project.

Sounds like a worth-while process to me. Certain standards have to be maintained for the good of all. Just hope it is not deemed "un-necessary" by M Pele's personal rep.

[hotzcatz]

For a long time a long time ago, homeowners could draw up a set of house plans that didn't require a stamp, but I'm not sure if that is still true. A long time ago, sometime in the early 80's or late '70's, if it was less than 1,800 square feet and built of standard 2" x 4" @ 16" o.c. type framing, it didn't require a stamp. Then it had to be less than 1,600 square feet and had to be on a a concrete foundation and trusses instead of rafters and it wouldn't require a stamp. Oh, and less than 30" roof overhangs. But that was some time in the '90's, it's probably changed by now. It might be worth asking the Building Department if there are any residential structures that can be built without a architect's/engineer stamp, there might be something that can be built if it falls within certain standards.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

For a long time a long time ago, homeowners could draw up a set of house plans that didn't require a stamp, but I'm not sure if that is still true. A long time ago, sometime in the early 80's or late '70's, if it was less than 1,800 square feet and built of standard 2" x 4" @ 16" o.c. type framing, it didn't require a stamp. Then it had to be less than 1,600 square feet and had to be on a a concrete foundation and trusses instead of rafters and it wouldn't require a stamp. Oh, and less than 30" roof overhangs. But that was some time in the '90's, it's probably changed by now. It might be worth asking the Building Department if there are any residential structures that can be built without a architect's/engineer stamp, there might be something that can be built if it falls within certain standards.

Here's a money-maker for somebody. Amass a collection of already-approved designs that people can access and purchase without having to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by Robin Rossi

Here's a money-maker for somebody. Amass a collection of already-approved designs that people can access and purchase without having to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.

I am sure it is done.

I was looking at one piece of property, building ready, that came with a set of approved plans, and the ad said that the seller was an architect and if you didn't like those plans, you could choose from several others. So there is one guy right there who would probably sell you a set of plans with a stamp on them.

[Razzbar]

By "stamping" a set of plans, the architect takes responsibility that the building is designed and built according to the building codes in effect. You pay for that responsibility.

Why have county building inspectors, is a lot like asking why have traffic cops if everyone on the road has to have a drivers license in the first place.

[stevo6]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

I am sure it is done.

I was looking at one piece of property, building ready, that came with a set of approved plans, and the ad said that the seller was an architect and if you didn't like those plans, you could choose from several others. So there is one guy right there who would probably sell you a set of plans with a stamp on them.

Right, but you would have to pay extra for that stamp- and for him to tailor the drawings to the particulars of the site (slopes, utilities, etc). There are a lot of businesses like this. Many have one price for just the drawings, and another for the drawings plus the stamp and follow-thru. BTW an architect can lose his license for "selling" you his stamp. He has an obligation to review the design if he is going to stamp it.

[CyberCity]

To save dollars, we had a draftsman design our house, and then we had an architect stamp the plans. It took some dedicated time on the phone to seek out who was going to do what, and for what fee(s).

The county inspector has a different role than an architect. As the house was built (owner-builder), the county inspector came out incrementally to make sure the construction was following the plans.