Q: How can we learn more about Houston Plans and Permits before committing
ourselves to a contract?
A: All prospective clients are encouraged to set up a free consultation. We would be more
then happy to answer any questions you have and to provide you with further information
about us. We can show you past projects and talk to you about what to expect during and
after the Design process.
Q: What should I bring or how should I prepare for my initial consultation?
A: Please come prepared to discuss your budget goals, needs and site requirements.
Gather design ideas from home design magazines and other sources. Have a written list of
rooms, function of each space and what it should be near. All of these will be essential in
determining what kind of project is structurally and financially feasible.
Q. If you provide just the drawings can I save some money if I process the permit
myself?
A. Yes, the amount saved varies by the project.
Q. Can you get an over the counter permit for our room addition?
A. Yes, depending on the size of the addition and the City, the City of Houston is the most
liberal on the size and scope of work in which they are willing to review plans over the
counter. About 90% of the single story additions we do are "over the counter permits"
Q. Our house is over 50 years old can we put a second story on top of the existing
house?
A. Usually, unless zoning restrictions preventing this. We are very experienced
with working with older homes around Houston and have numerous solutions for the
challenges they present.
Q. How long does it take to do the drawings and get the permit?
A. Depends upon scope of work and which City the building is in. We have designed and
delivered the permit for a single story addition in the City of Houston in 45 hours!
Please email us for a free estimate.
Q. What is a NO Plans Permit?
A. You can get a permit without plans for repairs in kind and plumbing and electrical
replacement in kind. Some cities expand the scope of work on this so you may save a lot of
money if this kind of permit works for your project.
Q. What is the first thing to do in this process?
A. After determining your budget, check on the zoning requirements yourself or hire
someone to check. Never spend any money on the project until zoning questions are
satisfied and you are aware of ALL the fees required by the Building Department.
Q. Can we get the drawings and a permit before hiring a contractor?
A. Yes, and we recommend this because it gives the homeowner more influence and control
throughout the design and bidding process.You choose the contractor and the price that is
right for you.
Q. You guys seem to know a little about building, will you bid and build our project?
A. No. We are not in the construction business we specialize in the drawings and permits,
our primary mission is to provide high quality drawings, however, we can refer fully licensed
and insured contractors that we think provide the quality and integrity our customers deserve.
Q. What about the Engineering?
A. . Most of our single story additions do not require engineering, we design them to the
prescriptive requirements of the Building Code. The Building Code requires structural
calculations be performed by a Licensed Architect or Engineer. If the project requires
calculations, we hire seasoned Architects and Engineers do that part of the project for us.
Q: What is a Building Designer?
A: A building designer is first and foremost a professional familiar with all facets of the
building trade, whose plans and designs represent the particular needs, style and budget of
the client. Our approach to any problem is based on practical, functional and economical
solutions that will best fulfill the client’s requirements, while translating these factors into a
concept that is both aesthetic and utilitarian. A building designer is not a licensed architect
or engineer.
Q: What is the AIBD?
A: The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a nationally recognized association
with design associate and affiliate members in 47 states, Canada, Europe, Asia and
Australia. Since 1950, The AIBD has provided its members with educational resources and
developed nationwide design standards for the building design profession. Its chartered
societies are active in their respective legislative arenas and work to promote public
awareness of the building design profession and emphasize the role we fill as a valuable
resource for residential design services.
Q: What will I end up with when I finish the design process with HPP?
A: Our custom home process is a turn key job. You will end up with a set of construction
drawings and specifications that is custom to all of your design wants and needs. We work
with a structural engineer to finalize all the area requirements for details to assure you that
you have a plan ready to build and permit.
ourselves to a contract?
A: All prospective clients are encouraged to set up a free consultation. We would be more
then happy to answer any questions you have and to provide you with further information
about us. We can show you past projects and talk to you about what to expect during and
after the Design process.
Q: What should I bring or how should I prepare for my initial consultation?
A: Please come prepared to discuss your budget goals, needs and site requirements.
Gather design ideas from home design magazines and other sources. Have a written list of
rooms, function of each space and what it should be near. All of these will be essential in
determining what kind of project is structurally and financially feasible.
Q. If you provide just the drawings can I save some money if I process the permit
myself?
A. Yes, the amount saved varies by the project.
Q. Can you get an over the counter permit for our room addition?
A. Yes, depending on the size of the addition and the City, the City of Houston is the most
liberal on the size and scope of work in which they are willing to review plans over the
counter. About 90% of the single story additions we do are "over the counter permits"
Q. Our house is over 50 years old can we put a second story on top of the existing
house?
A. Usually, unless zoning restrictions preventing this. We are very experienced
with working with older homes around Houston and have numerous solutions for the
challenges they present.
Q. How long does it take to do the drawings and get the permit?
A. Depends upon scope of work and which City the building is in. We have designed and
delivered the permit for a single story addition in the City of Houston in 45 hours!
Please email us for a free estimate.
Q. What is a NO Plans Permit?
A. You can get a permit without plans for repairs in kind and plumbing and electrical
replacement in kind. Some cities expand the scope of work on this so you may save a lot of
money if this kind of permit works for your project.
Q. What is the first thing to do in this process?
A. After determining your budget, check on the zoning requirements yourself or hire
someone to check. Never spend any money on the project until zoning questions are
satisfied and you are aware of ALL the fees required by the Building Department.
Q. Can we get the drawings and a permit before hiring a contractor?
A. Yes, and we recommend this because it gives the homeowner more influence and control
throughout the design and bidding process.You choose the contractor and the price that is
right for you.
Q. You guys seem to know a little about building, will you bid and build our project?
A. No. We are not in the construction business we specialize in the drawings and permits,
our primary mission is to provide high quality drawings, however, we can refer fully licensed
and insured contractors that we think provide the quality and integrity our customers deserve.
Q. What about the Engineering?
A. . Most of our single story additions do not require engineering, we design them to the
prescriptive requirements of the Building Code. The Building Code requires structural
calculations be performed by a Licensed Architect or Engineer. If the project requires
calculations, we hire seasoned Architects and Engineers do that part of the project for us.
Q: What is a Building Designer?
A: A building designer is first and foremost a professional familiar with all facets of the
building trade, whose plans and designs represent the particular needs, style and budget of
the client. Our approach to any problem is based on practical, functional and economical
solutions that will best fulfill the client’s requirements, while translating these factors into a
concept that is both aesthetic and utilitarian. A building designer is not a licensed architect
or engineer.
Q: What is the AIBD?
A: The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a nationally recognized association
with design associate and affiliate members in 47 states, Canada, Europe, Asia and
Australia. Since 1950, The AIBD has provided its members with educational resources and
developed nationwide design standards for the building design profession. Its chartered
societies are active in their respective legislative arenas and work to promote public
awareness of the building design profession and emphasize the role we fill as a valuable
resource for residential design services.
Q: What will I end up with when I finish the design process with HPP?
A: Our custom home process is a turn key job. You will end up with a set of construction
drawings and specifications that is custom to all of your design wants and needs. We work
with a structural engineer to finalize all the area requirements for details to assure you that
you have a plan ready to build and permit.
FAQ
Helpful Building Terms
Bow - A curved projection formed by at least five windows joined at obtuse angles.
Clerestory - An outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and
contains windows.
Dental - One of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks forming a molding under an
overhang, most common in Colonial Style homes.
Dormer - A structure projecting from a roof, containing a window (looks like a small dog
house)
Footprint - The outline of a home's foundation - used for site planning.
Gable - The vertical triangular end of a building from the eaves to the ridge.
Gable Roof - A roof consisting of two rectangular planes sloping up to a ridge.
Hip Roof - A roof with sloping ends and sides that meet at a ridge.
Keystone - A wedge shaped detail at the top of an arch.
Lanai - A patio or Veranda
Porte cochere - A covered drive-thru structure that extends from the side of a home.
Quoin - A large square or rectangular stone set into the corner of a masonry building.
Transom Window - A narrow window above another window or door.
Tray Ceiling - A recessed ceiling - sometimes with the sides sloped at an angle.
Vaulted Ceiling - A ceiling that slopes up to a peak. Like an upside down V.
Bow - A curved projection formed by at least five windows joined at obtuse angles.
Clerestory - An outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and
contains windows.
Dental - One of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks forming a molding under an
overhang, most common in Colonial Style homes.
Dormer - A structure projecting from a roof, containing a window (looks like a small dog
house)
Footprint - The outline of a home's foundation - used for site planning.
Gable - The vertical triangular end of a building from the eaves to the ridge.
Gable Roof - A roof consisting of two rectangular planes sloping up to a ridge.
Hip Roof - A roof with sloping ends and sides that meet at a ridge.
Keystone - A wedge shaped detail at the top of an arch.
Lanai - A patio or Veranda
Porte cochere - A covered drive-thru structure that extends from the side of a home.
Quoin - A large square or rectangular stone set into the corner of a masonry building.
Transom Window - A narrow window above another window or door.
Tray Ceiling - A recessed ceiling - sometimes with the sides sloped at an angle.
Vaulted Ceiling - A ceiling that slopes up to a peak. Like an upside down V.
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| Houston Plans and Permits LLC . Office: (281) 372-1555 . Email: Information@plansandpermits.net . Address: 10810 Eastex Fwy. Suite 100 Houston TX, 77093 |
