CA for future home builder/owner

[Joe Carrick]

If I design all aspects of this home myself over the next 5 years included interior design, landscape, electrical, HVAC, and site plan I am 95% certain i will save a ton of money VS hiring someone to do it.

It will probably take you 5 years to really get to know this program - and then you also need to learn all about construction and design. Professionals - whether Achitect, Engineer or Building Designer - have years of training and experience. Those of us that have been using Chief for a long time are still learning new and better and faster ways to get the job done.

You could also save money by doing your own surgery - but the results would not be the same as what you would get from a real surgeon.

[plwitt79]

Joe...i do have experience with construction and design...and plan to collaborate with freinds and family that have been in the construction industry for years on things I am unsure of.

I also understand that generally as an architect you dont want a homowner or future home builder doing your job...that takes you out of the equation and the need for your services. Personally i would rather spend my time and "fee" for CA to design my home rather than having someone else do it. I dont want to pay an architect to do things that i can accomplish. I can just see my wife not liking the layout and needing 27 revisions before the house finalized. This will also help me save on hiring a interior designer as we can take pictures out of magazines or whatever and duplicate it to see how it would look in our house.

I am also of a generation in which i have been using software and computers my whole life. So when you say it will take me 5 years to get to know the program...i beg to differ. With the amount of training and support available these days im sure i can get a functional base model in 6 months or less.

Lbuttery...as far as your concerns...i totally understand what you are saying...but first i dont understand how that can be illegal? That person is still held responsible as its their stamp on whoevers drawing with their license number. Please explain why a fee of $1 would be a problem? I also stated to David that he was correct and his method of "red lining" is what i would prefer. I checked and a stamp is not required in my area...if i feel that i want a section reviewed i can use a licensed engineer for that.

final comment...i totally agree that not many people would put themselves in a situation to do all this work...but i enjoy a challenge and embrace a challenge...but more than anything the accomplishment when completed will be awesome and something to be proud of.

thanks everyone for the comments.