Architect needed?

kcult

Wish you were closer
Charter Member
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
20,138
Location
ChesCo SC
Rating - 100%
54   0   0
I have a friend that wants to build a house. From what I understand, he only needs certified drawings if the house will be over 2500sq ft. Although his house will be less than that, the county codes inspector is requiring two sets of certified drawings. My friend's builder isn't able to certify them.

How do the drawings get certified and is there anyone on the forum that does this or know someone who does?

PM me, if you prefer.

Thanks.
 
I gotta guy...name of George. Architect, did the new addition to the Guggenheim, sidelines as a Marine Biologist.

maxresdefault.jpg
 
Not sure what "certified" means. I imagine they want an licensed engineer to stamp the drawings certifying that it meets code and won't explode.

If you have plans, and they are detailed, dimensioned, etc., It may be as simple as calling a local structural or civil engineer and having a chat. They will look them over, add any relevant structural ties/beams/ calcs/ etc. and then Stamp them with their professional stamp. Might be easy and fairly cheap.

If you do not have plans, or only have basic plans, some drafting may be required. Often, engineers can and will do this. Or, find a draftsperson to draw them and then have engineer stamp them.
A Licensed Architect can also provide all this and can engineer their own drawings for residential, but most architects will still use an engineer to check and stamp drawings.

I have no done a ton of work in this area so I am just going off what I have seen. Good luck!
 
but most architects will still use an engineer to check and stamp drawings.
I disagree with that statement. When an architect or engineer seals a drawing, that drawing must have been drawn by or drawn under the direct supervision of that licensed professional. No engineer or architect in their right mind will seal another persons drawings.

Architects don't work under engineers (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, etc..) or the other way around. The engineers are typically contractually under the architect but an engineer seals and is responsible for his own drawings.

These are all registered professionals, they don't ask one another to review or seal their drawings. The reason they don't is liability. The architect is responsible coordination of all the trades and the overall project, but that is about the only overlap you'll see.
 
Last edited:
And 'Architect' may not be the correct verbiage. That's just how the relayer of the message put it.

Without getting more info, I'm guessing the friend said, "Hey, Mr. Codes guy. I want to build this house." To which he was met with the response, "Nope, not without certified drawings."
 
Generally, residential plans do not require a seal from an architect or engineer. However, when the plans contain structural elements exceeding the limits of the NC Residential Code, or otherwise not conforming to this code, these elements shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. This portion of the plan must be sealed by an architect or engineer. In other words, if it is not described in the code book it will need a seal. Examples of this would be truss roof or floor systems, engineered wood beams like LVL or steel beams, unusual foundations or retaining walls, unusual construction methods like log homes or timber framed structures.
 
I would figure out the point of concern from the planning dept. and go from there. If it's just the roof truss span (for example), the trusses will be designed by an engineer working for the truss manufacturer. Getting a sealed drawing for them is much cheaper than having someone else look at it.
 
Last edited:
I disagree with that statement. When an architect or engineer seals a drawing, that drawing must have been drawn by or drawn under the direct supervision of that licensed professional. No engineer or architect in their right mind will seal another persons drawings.

Architects don't work under engineers (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, etc..) or the other way around. The engineers are typically contractually under the architect but an engineer seals and is responsible for his own drawings.

These are all registered professionals, they don't ask one another to review or seal their drawings. The reason they don't is liability. The architect is responsible coordination of all the trades and the overall project, but that is about the only overlap you'll see.


I think you misunderstood what I wrote.

Engineers stamp my drawings (or other peoples) all the time. Why wouldn’t they stamp them? If they tell me to draw a 6x12 beam where it needs to be, and I draw that beam, why wouldn’t they stamp it?

Architects almost always have engineers do the structural design of their buildings. Which is what I mean by review and stamp drawings.
Even through they are qualified to do it themselves on residential projects. For many reasons. Mostly liability. Engineers take probably the most liability of anyone.
If an engineer stamps the structural design of a house, the architects stamp has little impact and isn’t at all required. It’s not needed and superfluous. Because the only thing that needs a stamp is the structural design.

Architects/engineers/designers all work together on a project. I certainly didn’t imply anybody “works under” anyone else. They all work “under” whomever is writing the checks. I work with all of the above on a daily basis, as I have been doing for over 30 years.
 
It doesn't sound like something specific, in this case.

The guy wanting to build called out the inspections guy over a mistake her made (inspection guy is supposedly new). Now, he is refusing a permit without the seal on the drawings.

I'm getting this second hand. Reckon I need to talk with the guy wanting to build to see what the story is.
 
@concepthomes1 is right. Even in York County I had to submit stamped structural drawings by a PE for extending our porch and the porch is only 5’ above finished floor level.
 
Back
Top Bottom