What it is
Plans, engineering and permits
Most of an addition happens on paper first. We manage the drawings, the sealed structural pages, the zoning check and the city's review, and tell you the week each one lands.
The plans come with every addition we build. You get a set you can show your lender, your neighbors or another builder.
What's included
Measured drawings of the house as it stands
Plans and elevations of the new space
Structural pages sealed by the architect or engineer the city requires
A zoning check for height, setbacks and floor area
The permit application and answers to the city's comments
Scheduling each inspection
What changes the cost
Five things that move the plan work
We don't print an average, because the house decides. These are the things that move your written estimate.
Size and shape of the job
A dormer takes fewer sheets than a second story.
Zoning approvals
If a limit has to be waived, there's a separate process and extra weeks.
The engineer's pages
More beams, posts and footings mean more structural drawings.
City fees
The city sets them. They're listed in your estimate.
Rounds of changes
The first few are in the scope. More rounds change the weeks.
Preservation review
On a landmark or preservation block, the city adds a review.
How it goes
The plan and permit weeks
- Weeks 1–2
Step 1: Measure the house and check the lot
- Weeks 3–6
Step 2: Drawings, structural pages and the zoning check
- Week 7
Step 3: Your sign-off on the drawings
- Weeks 8–14
Step 4: City plan review, as a range
- Weeks 15–16
Step 5: Permit issued
Typical ranges, for planning. Your written schedule sets your weeks.
Questions about this job
Who is the architect or engineer?
We work with licensed professionals the city accepts for sealed drawings. We introduce you at the sign-off, and their names are on the sheets.
What if the city says no?
The city usually writes back with comments, not a no. We change the drawings and resubmit, and tell you what changed and how many weeks it adds.
Can the plans change after they're filed?
Yes, through a revision to the permit. It adds weeks, so we ask you to settle the layout at the sign-off.
Is my block in a landmark district?
We look this up in weeks 1 and 2 and tell you. If it is, the city adds a review and we add those weeks to your schedule.
Want to know if your house can do this?
Book a site visit. You get a written answer, including when it's no.