Every project package includes:
Custom Residential Design & Space Planning
Fully Stamped Permit Construction Documents (We complete city corrections until the plans are stamped and permit ready)
Structural, Engineering Calculations & Details
Title 24 Energy Compliance Calculations,
Client Design Coordination
Yes. California building codes require structural engineering for any new construction, ground-up ADU, or addition that modifies load-bearing walls or foundations. State law also mandates Title 24 Energy Calculations to verify that insulation, windows, heating/cooling, and lighting meet energy efficiency standards. We handle both internally and absorb the costs into your design package price.
Permit Management is an optional service where we handle the city plan-check process for you. This includes submitting applications, coordinating with city plan-checkers, and processing city-required plan corrections. We charge a separate fee because municipal plan checks can take weeks or months depending on the jurisdiction. If you prefer to submit plans and manage the city portal yourself, you can skip this add-on.
No. Our fees cover design, structural engineering, Title 24 calculations, and plan drafting. City plan-check fees, building permit fees, school district fees, and utility connection fees are paid directly by the property owner to the local city or county department.
Typically, the design phase takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the project's complexity and how quickly feedback on design concepts is provided. Once plans are approved and finalized, engineering and Title 24 reports are prepared to produce a complete permit-ready set.
Once plans are submitted to the city, the plan-check process generally takes 6 to 12 weeks depending on your local building department. While state law sets a 60-day goal for ADUs, city workload, departmental clearances (e.g., Fire, Public Works, Utilities), and required revisions can affect the overall timeline.
It is standard for building departments to issue a list of plan-check comments or minor code adjustments on the first review. If Permit Management is included, we will revise the plans and coordinate with our structural team to address city comments and resubmit the set.
Our packages focus on design, drafting, structural engineering, and Title 24. Excluded items that may be required by specific cities include:
Property boundary/topographic land surveys
Geotechnical (soils) reports
City/county permit and impact fees
On-site construction labor or material purchasing
Yes! We work closely with you during the preliminary design phase to ensure you love the layout before finalizing the set. Revisions made during the initial design phase are included. Any major structural or architectural changes requested after plans are signed off or submitted to the city are billed at our standard hourly revision rate ($150/hr).