Construction plan, help needed

[Svrdram]

Well I started getting all my paperwork together for my new garage (24x28) I have my current plot plan with the proposed structure but ran into a small road block. I've been sent away on business and seamed to have brought everything I need to work on except my laptop to finish drawing up my 1/4 shot showing foundation, grade, wall construction and roof pitch. I was curious to see what some of you have submitted.

Thanks, John

 

[madstat]

I just finished submitting my plans (not a garage but a small addition to my house) here in Ann Arbor, MI. I just got the stamped approval back from the city on monday.

I drafted everything myself using google sketchup, it took me a week or so just to get sketchup down but after the initial learning curve I'm really glad I didn't waste a lot of money on an architect.

I imagine things over in Shelby Twp are not too much different so if you have any questions I would be glad to help. The pdf of my plans are too large to attach here but if you PM me I can send you a link.

madstat

 

[Zeke]

Sometimes you can submit "typical" details to complete the plan. Most are available for download from building depts. What you need is the plot and site plan plus at least 2 elevations. The location of doors and windows goes on the plot. Reference the appropriate detail with a proper architectural notation and indicate the reference at the detail.

So, as an example, you can draw a line to the footing with the symbol for the detail and just copy the right downloaded "typical" detail to your plans. Do the same for your main door header and the metal ties you need at various places.

They just want to see that you are aware of what is necessary. If you miss something, the plan check will have you add it. Then the inspector will see that you did it according to plan. It's not very often, but a field inspector will make changes if he doesn't like how things are working out within the context of a particular job. The guys inside can't see everything, so they make sure all the details and codes are noted and let you go.

I drew plans 20 years ago on a drafting board. All my first sheets looked and said the same BS with the name and address and site plan being the only changes. The 2nd sheet had the plot and floor plan and some copied schedules if there was room. The 3rd sheet would have a 2nd floor plan if appropriate, or the roof plan and details. Usually a 4th sheet held the rest for simple room add or garage.

Nowadays, the engineering sheets have to be attached following the former. More copied details of steel, anchors and attached metal plus clacs on beams and spans. And the all important stamp from the engineer's office.

I have no idea what is required in your part of MI, but you should ask and find out. If you come to the counter with 95% of it done, you will look very good to them and they might get you out with a permit in an hour or less. And if your jurisdiction requires that engineer's stamp, he will catch most of the mistakes. Or should.

(I only wish that was absolutely true but it seems you have to check over the engineer's work these days. I've had them place a support column that was supposed to be in a wall out of the wall and in the room.)

 

[darkk]

I hear you, I paid an architect $1500 for my garage/mud room addition. When the concrete guy got here he said, who the hell drew these plans and he just set it in the way it's supposed to be. The framer looked at the plans and had to have the lumber yard re size the center load support beam because the architect got it wrong. Good thing he checked the weight bearing specs. The framer also had to figure the header size,construction and angles because the architect screwed that up too. Kinda had to wing it from day one...

 

[Zeke]

I hear you, I paid an architect $1500 for my garage/mud room addition. When the concrete guy got here he said, who the hell drew these plans and he just set it in the way it's supposed to be. The framer looked at the plans and had to have the lumber yard re size the center load support beam because the architect got it wrong. Good thing he checked the weight bearing specs. The framer also had to figure the header size,construction and angles because the architect screwed that up too. Kinda had to wing it from day one...

Well, your framer was the de facto engineer.

 

[camarotoolman]

just get an architectural drafting book from your library or High school if they still have Industrail Arts classes. If you are using trusses, the truss company will draw you plans, get the engineer stamp, etc. to get the truss package.

 

[blkhonda1991]

I hear you, I paid an architect $1500 for my garage/mud room addition. When the concrete guy got here he said, who the hell drew these plans and he just set it in the way it's supposed to be. The framer looked at the plans and had to have the lumber yard re size the center load support beam because the architect got it wrong. Good thing he checked the weight bearing specs. The framer also had to figure the header size,construction and angles because the architect screwed that up too. Kinda had to wing it from day one...

this is why i specify all my lvls and other wood beams to be sized by the lumber yard, i charge for design of the garage not the structure with wood framed buildings as any lumber yard will do the calcs

 

[Svrdram]

Well I just got shot down by the building department. They want load specs and a engineers stamp on the drawings now.

 

[PittsS1]

Not sure if you're using trusses or not, but just an FYI- you can have them quoted and the drawing package for the quote will have the load specs and a stamp on them. That's all my inspector cared about- the rest was typical prescriptive stuff from the 2006 IRC (a good book to pick up for reference... or maybe you can find it online).

In my suburb of Minneapolis, all they need engineering for is steel beams and walls that don't meet typical requirements (narrow, tall, shear walls, etc.). May be worth checking with them on exactly what requires an engineer. Hopefully they haven't gone to EVERY project needing an engineer stamp- that would be ridiculous (and I'm an engineer....).

Some things in the 2006 IRC that are helpful are the portal frame details for narrow walls (comes in handy in front of garage). Also helpful to show typical cross section details of foundation, etc.

Finally, I did my plans up in Autocad and they were super complete/detailed. The comment I got was they are better than 95% of what they see at the city. That said, all that means is I wasted a lot of time- they would have accepted hand drawn sketches... wish I wouldn't have spent hours and hours on the CAD machine...

Well I just got shot down by the building department. They want load specs and a engineers stamp on the drawings now.

 

[Svrdram]

This is very simular to what I want to build. Except the garage door would be on the right side end, and no dormers.

So I drew up a sketch showing 16" sono tubes for the column and 6x6s for support with laminate beams tuning around the perimeter. They want 24" sono tubes 42" deep with 8x8s and me to bring the beams 3ft into the building. Now they want all my truss specs (attic trusses) and are worried about wind gusts lifting it.