We Got the Permit!

Posted December 14, 2008 12:40 by Robert

Tags: permitting

It’s the day I never thought I would see, we got the permit and are all cleared to go. After months of planning and changes, it’s a huge relief to get to this stage.  A big thanks goes out to the entire team here for being so thorough with the plans. Bill’s knowledge of the town’s requirements really made a difference here as he gave the architects at FreeGreen and ZED a list of all the details they needed to include on the plan to ensure a speedy review process.  Jordan (the lead designer) also did a thorough review of the new Massachusetts building code and Needham building code to proactively address any issues. The new Massachusetts building code is extremely strict and has some new twists which many contractors are not familiar with yet related to wind shear. The Town of Needham is also very thorough with their review of plans. If this house is approved here, I am convinced it will be approved anywhere. 

It’s important to note that as with any home plan, you will need to have a local structural engineer create a framing plan and “stamp” that plan, as well as the foundation plan and the plan itself. Using a local structural engineer with whom the town is familiar is also a smart idea as building departments tend to favor people who have an ongoing relationship and reputation with the town which is important for them to uphold.  The cost to stamp plans is usually a few hundred dollars, however if you use an engineer from the lumber company to do the framing plan, they will often credit that against your purchase.

Now’s it’s just a race against Mother Nature to get the foundation in while we still have warm days.

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