Point Roberts Services

Drafting, design and permitting services in Point Roberts.

 

How it works

Hello and welcome to Point Roberts! Thanks for your interest in my services.

I really only have some basic requests of my clients and that is they should be able to provide me with the following four items:

  1. A simple floor plan. I don’t need Da Vinci drawings; simple, napkin-quality sketches are fine!

  2. A simple roofline elevation conveying the general exterior design.

  3. A brief, bulleted list of ideas and desires. I ask that clients keep each bullet item short and to the point as much as possible (examples: kitchen, bath: tile floor; side-by-side laundry units only; vertical wood siding, etc.).

  4. A small collection of favorite personal or internet photos to convey desired aesthetics. Pinterest and other online accounts are great. When preparing photos, I ask clients to detail what I should be noting in each photo.

Using this information I will create a digital 3D CAD model to share via email. Design change requests can then be made until the model reflects what the design should be in situ. After a final model is approved, it can be utilized to create the needed documentation for permitting and construction. Please be aware that some designs require in-state structural engineering reviews and that county officials will make this determination during the early permitting stages (pre-screening). All county and engineerings fees are the sole responsibility of clients and are not included in any of my estimates. In most cases, however, I can predict if/when engineering will be required given the elements and/or location of a specific project during the design process.

Getting started

Typical phases are as follows:

  • Sketches, estimates & deposits. Once I have some client sketches and general information I will put together an online estimate for projected fees. I also request a 50% deposit to book time on my calendar.

  • Design and modeling phase. This is done by the hour and I recommend clients give their sketches some thought before emailing to me for modeling. This process usually takes 1-3 days in most cases.

  • Drafting and plan building phase. Once a house model is finished I will create the construction documents. This phase generally takes a full week or more to piece together.

  • Permitting stage 1, pre-screening. The county requires a plan pre-screening to assess the quality of a plan prior to intake. Turnaround times vary from 1-3 weeks, typically.

  • Engineering review, if needed. Structural engineering review times vary from 3-5 weeks in most cases.

  • Permitting stage 2, intake. This is the final step toward obtaining permits where the plan, engineering, and all required documents and paperwork are submitted to the county. The issuance of permits typically comes 3-5 weeks later.

  • Permitting stage 3, issuance. Final fee are paid and permits are emailed to me and forward to clients and builders.

Fee Schedule

Design and modeling services: $125.00 per hour

  • Conditioned spaces: $3.00 per square foot

  • Unconditioned spaces (garages, porches, e.g.): $2.50 per square foot

  • Decks, patios, et al.: $1.50 per square foot

Drafting services: $3.00 per square foot

  • Conditioned spaces: $3.00 per square foot

  • Unconditioned spaces (garages, porches, e.g.): $2.50 per square foot

  • Decks, patios, et al.: $1.50 per square foot

Required Pre-screenings: $349.00 per plan

  • Includes feedback on results.

Plan Permitting: $849.00 per plan

  • “White Glove” permitting services include all standard and county level work paperwork.

  • Residential, garages, outbuildings, etc.


Project Site Plans: $849.00 per plan (required for permits)

  • Most properties in Point Roberts.


WSEC Design: $849.00 per plan (required for permits)

  • For projects that just need compliancy design and paperwork.

  • Washington State Energy Code compliance for any plan.

  • This is a state level mandate for all structures with heat and/or cooling (i.e. all conditioned spaces) and is required for building permits.


Phone Consultations: $149.00/hour

  • Ask questions and get information about building in Point Roberts from specific project issues to contractors.


On Site Consultations: $199.00/hour

  • Get on site feedback about your building lot and/or project in Point Roberts.

  • Only available during certain times of the year, please email for more information.


Land, lot and project feasibility: $149.00 per parcel

Please note that this work typically takes 2-5 business days to complete with the county and state. It is strongly recommended that buyers do not close on building lots without this information. Available anytime.

This work screens for extremely important conditions that exist across Point Roberts, including:

  • Archaeology

  • Habitat Conservation

  • Fire

  • Flood

  • Geo-hazards

  • Shoreline

  • Watershed

  • Wetlands

  • Tree Retention


Engineering Liaison: $349.00 per plan

THE small HOUSE CATALOG works with engineers in Bellingham, Washington. Additional third-party engineering fees apply.


General Rate: $125 per hour

All other services.


Downloadable Forms: Free

These forms are used for projects in Point Roberts:

Forms can be notarized in the US or Canada and are required by the Whatcom County Building & Development Services.

Please email forms to: shawn@smallhousecatalog.com.