help with plans

[puckman]

i have absolutly no i dea how to present a set of plans to the buiding dept. when appling for a permit. the plans are for a 4 room addition for residentail work, 3 bedrooms, 1 family room.. the plans given to me are "site plans" with the placement of the recepts. and lights. no other info. should'nt there be more infomation on the plans with a " electical schedule" ? the work is in northern n.j. if any you contractors can help out it would be appreciated. thanks again. oh yea' " lets go rangers"

 

[fc]

Every town is different. You can fill out the application and summit what you have and if they want more they will tell you.

 

[bphgravity]

I would contact the building department and ask them exactly what submital documents are needed and what information is needed on them. I have produced several plan submittal checklists for my jurisdiction in attempt to assist builders and contractors with this very issue. Perhaps your jurisdiction has done the same.

If all else fails, the more informatrion the better...

 

[cadpoint]

A plan

A plan

First off I agree with fc,
If your dealing directly with the owner, or even if your under a sub contractor, I 'd let someone know that you'd like to meet and discuss the situation with them, Don't assume that this is all there is, for example,
Is there going to be dedicated circuits for the computer and new
TV / Cable stations ? Are you going to run the CAT-5 cable / or even
telephones jacks, and since its an addition are they thinking of an intercomm,
etc. (Frankly thats why I didn't chase Home Designs). But a nickel to a dime
they will want more, and if not on the plan, will the local authority say its allowed, via its not on the plan ? But the key is you will look smarter
having shot the flair to be upfront to the owner / GC that you know whats missing on a napkin sketch, but not based on there sketch, what you know
is missing for comfort and application of your trade.

 

[celtic]

... the plans given to me are "site plans" with the placement of the recepts. and lights. no other info. should'nt there be more infomation on the plans with a " electical schedule" ?

Not neccessarily...the arch. may not be licensed to provide that sort that of detail. Many times the arch. will show only what the client asked for...leaving much omitted and much unaccounted for.

 

[celtic]

Don't assume that this is all there is, for example,
Is there going to be dedicated circuits for the computer and new
TV / Cable stations ? Are you going to run the CAT-5 cable / or even
telephones jacks, and since its an addition are they thinking of an intercomm,
etc.

None of these items are required by code...

But a nickel to a dime
they will want more, and if not on the plan, will the local authority say its allowed, via its not on the plan ?

...anything goes in the world of construction...it items are added/deleted from the original application, a simple amended permit is filed.

But the key is you will look smarter
having shot the flair to be upfront to the owner / GC that you know whats missing on a napkin sketch, but not based on there sketch, what you know
is missing for comfort and application of your trade.

That method has FAILED on more than one occasion for me.

If the number you submit to the customer includes what you percieve to be "for comfort and application of your trade" and all the other EC's give a number based on what's on the print...are we comparing apples to apples anymore? What one EC's idea of "comfort items" will not be what the next EC's idea of "comfort items" are.

Instead of looking "smarter", you may very well end up looking "overinflated".

Get the job based on what's on the print...THEN talk about what you personally percieve to be "comfort items" and upgrades.

 

[barbeer]

A standard comment anymore is "installation to meet minimum code in field" because of the little or no info we receive on plans. On a small remodel we use this in the stead of having a new set of drawings submitted.

 

[cadpoint]

A Plan

A Plan

Your right Celtic, plenty of the things I stated aren't required by the code.
The person said there submitting, He'll get to Live that experience and the
headaches, joys, etc. Since he seemed new at this, I wanted him to
think about the bigger picture for right or wrong.
Yes submit a price, after meeting with the client and pointing out anything they missed and add them as alternate "Add" price. If the meeting doesn't
happen so be it, but I think it'd be to the owners and the installer benifit to understand that there not limited to a plan based on the Landscape drawing.
I know Plenty of GC's that know how to bounce this ball, and he's getting in the Game.
We've all be deflated in our course of work, so be it. It will just be more
work for someone else down the line if they don't ask or if its not suggested.
Frankly I'd Rather them look Smart with the "OH yeah" than to hear an "O-S"

 

[celtic]

Yes submit a price, after meeting with the client and pointing out anything they missed and add them as alternate "Add" price.

I once spent 5 hours on a Sunday talking with a HO and going over every detail you could imagine. When everything they "wanted" was accounted for - they balked at the price...then came the red pen - cut this, cut that...STILL no satisfied with price and design. After the third re-write, I walked.
The next guy gave them a number "per print", got the job, added extras as they went along.
Long story short - our final numbers were very close(less than a grnd difference)...but I wasted time and didn't get the job(mainly because I had devoted too much "unpaid" time to this job and chose to walk).

If the meeting doesn't happen so be it, but I think it'd be to the owners and the installer benifit to understand that there not limited to a plan based on the Landscape drawing.

I agree 100%

BUT...as the options are as plenty as the stars, why bring that into the discussion BEFORE you have the job secured?
For all you ("you" being any EC) know, the HO could be just price and IDEA shopping on your dime.

I know Plenty of GC's that know how to bounce this ball, and he's getting in the Game.

That's the point...it is a game...don't lay your cards on the table prematurely. Play the hand your dealt.

Frankly I'd Rather them look Smart with the "OH yeah" than to hear an "O-S"

I understand that...but I also understand that many people want "lowest price" ahead of "design". Adding a few required items during the initial bid process is fine....but adding "comfort things" is out of the scope.