Design And Plans
I am looking to tear down and buid a new 2-3 story building for the first time and was wondering on how and where do you get the design or plans?
There are a lot of new or rehab buildings in the area wich are designed the way I want to do mine (and they sell) , so how do I get the plan ? Can I ask those neighbor developers ?
Thanks. <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_confused.gif"> [ Edited by stilyaga on Date 11/19/2003 ]
Chicago, great city perfect timing My great grandfather built one of the first skyscrap's. The Fisher Building down in the Loop. I think it is converting to condo
now.
Go to the Building Department with a list of those building you much admire. They have the plans on file. Look them over notice the name of the Architect and the Engineers. You are home.
Lucius
Thanks Lufos
Would anyone know the ball park price of the architect and engineer services if I were to pick already exsiting design and plans? And would it be better to try to create some new or take the thing that sells on the first project?
Hi stilyaga,
I just attended a conference for architect in Oct. and meet some great architect's in Chicago. I'm sure they would be able to help. We didn't talk about fee's put most architect approach cost either by the square foot (i.e. $1-2 a sq.ft.) or by taking a percent of the total construction cost (i.e. 7-10%) . These are just easy numbers to round to give you an idea, each guys is going to do his own method.
I would advise you to go with what works/sells. Your in this for the profit, so get someone who will work within your budget and will maximize your dollar. Copying someone elses design is a copyright infringement, so I would be careful with that. You need to know what aspects of the design you may need to change to stay legal. I haven't heard of too many case where this happens but if you are planning a career in the development field, believe me people in the design/building community will take notice if your copying someone elses designs.
Hope this Helped
AA
Thanks for info ...
So "Copying someone elses design is a copyright infringement, so I would be careful with that" - each design is not to be replicated ? do arhitecht firms sell same models (exsisting designs) or they have to be worked out from scratch?
The architect who orginally designed the plans can sell them and give rights to duplicate the plans as often as he/she would like (although I do see in most residential cases they limit the number of times to 10, but who's counting
What I'm referring to is looking at a plan in a book or some place you visited and copying/or getting someone to copy the exact same design as another architect designed, now that's a copyright infringement because your stealing someone elses design. Now don't get design and style confused these are 2 different things. You can still keep the character and function of some of the elements of the design without copying it exactly.
IN A NUT SHELL:
Who ever drew the plans you build from is the owner of the design, which he then sells to you and thus transferring owner ship. Now,this shouldn't be to big of a problem with any architect ,but just make sure they now you depend on building multiple times off of these plans so there won't be any conflicts later on.
Even with the same design a little work more drawing is going to need to be done on each new development site, because each site will be different and have it's own issues (i,e, soil types to determine footing/foundation, zoning(helps to know the law),.
MY 2CENTS
Another thing is you want to stay innovative as well don't do alot of the same old cookie cutter homes (remember supply and demand) a lot of the same old stuff will cheaping the property "i think" in the long run. It's boring. Change the color, do a different material,...this is your investment......well let me get off my soap box know.
Hope I've been informative
AA