need some help on my home

[diverrick]

I need to remove my front porch for some repairs to the house, and want to reinstall a nicer porch. The problem is the architect wants more for the plans, then the materials for the whole project would cost. I looked for a cad program, but didn't find any that were in a price range that did what I wanted it to do, plus what do i know about building a porch? Does any one have any ideas for me? I know what it we want it to look like. Just a basic over head porch, nothing fancy, just need the basic framing drawing for the county permit process, Etc. I even looked for a free shareware program, but no luck. Maybe someone has a home program they could do it for me.

 

[MikeC]

What happens if the porch collapses when the pizza guy is standing on it? How much will the lawyer cost if you do not use a pro? Is this one architect the only one around? I have never checked Lowes or Home Depot, do they do this level design work?

 

[neil]

Are you doing the work yourself? If not, the contractor who builds the porch can submit basic plans to the city. The porch needs to be to code, but not necessarily designed by an architect. If the code inspector approves the work, it doesn't matter who designed it. At least in my town. See if your town will accept your own drawings. As MikeC suggests, if you don't know what you're doing, hire a pro.

Neil

 

[RICHinNC]

Ive built garages, gazebos and added on a florida room to my last house.......everything was done on paper with a pencil and a ruler to scale.

The geewhiz programs are certainly nice....but not for just one project. Neil does bring up a good point.....are you doing the work?? My township needs just a basic drawing...not even to scale....to issue the permit. But they WILL be there inspecting the framing and such along the way.

Good luck and let us know how it comes out...feel free to pm if you have questions
rich

 

[Green Mountain]

Everyone should have some basic carpentry skills just like everyone should be able to balance a checkbook. But they don't teach this in school.

So this would be a good time to acquire some carpentry know-how. As suggested, go to the Home Depot or you local library and get a book that shows you how to build a deck or a porch. Sit down and draw it up. When you submit the plan the worse that can happen is that the building department will reject it. If it is rejected then they will tell you why. Another step in your education.

Generally if you are replacing an existing structure there isn't that much of a hassle.