Replies

1. 
   TomW | Mar 22, 2007 12:32am | #1

   I would think you could find a good GC who could design build this.

    

2. 
   inperfectionist | Mar 22, 2007 02:12am | #2

   I would also say a good GC could fix you up, especially, if you could view a recent screened porch the GC built, and you liked his (or hers) style of building.

   If you want a one off, one of a kind porch w imported etc etc, hire the arch', and get out your cheque book.

   Harry

3. 
   DanH | Mar 22, 2007 05:13am | #3

   Find an archy student, or an archy who works for someone else (maybe draftsman for a construction company) and does stuff like this in his spare time.

   Of course, it may be that what you really need is an engineer anyway. Around here any project with a roof now needs an engineer's stamp.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
4. 
   Matt | Mar 22, 2007 01:46pm | #4

   I think you need a designer - not an architect.  Granted, you may have to get the plans stamped by and engineer - but that should only be a few to several hundred bucks.  Using an architect to draw plans for a standard screen porch is like using a sledge hammer to drive a 4p finish nail.

   It varies by location though.  We have had this discussion here at BT before.  Where I live, architects are very rarely used for residential stuff except maybe the $2mil and up type houses - excluding mail order mass produced plans.  Plans are drawn by designers and then stamped by an engineer.  OTOH Framer, I think it was, told us that all the plans in his state (NJ I think) are drawn by an architect. 

   
   

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   Edited 3/22/2007 6:53 am ET by Matt

1. 
   DanH | Mar 22, 2007 02:23pm | #5

   We had our deck designed by an archy, but it was my (then) BIL, and he was just starting out in private practice -- needed the project for his portfolio.
   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

2. 
   kevreh | Mar 22, 2007 04:03pm | #6

   What kind of designer.... there's interior designers, landscape, etc... Does it matter?

   You're probably right. The things I need help with are more about aesthetics than joist spacing and footing placement. Incidently this neck of the woods does require an engineers stamp before plans are reviewed/approved.

    

   Thanks-

   Kevin

1. 
   davisjarrett | Mar 22, 2007 05:45pm | #7

   Kevin,

   I believe that Matt is referring to more of a Caddsmen/Drafter, i.e. "house designer" rather than a full blown architect.  And typically most of these guys can hook you up with an engineer to get it stamped, which will show footings, joist spacing, etc. for a nominal fee.

2. 
   Matt | Mar 23, 2007 02:53am | #8

   In the yellow pages for our relatively small city there are about 30 under "Designers-Residential" and about 10 under "Home Designing & Planning Service".