Why you need building plans:

    In most towns and cities it is a requirement that before a contractor or individual undertakes a renovation, addition or any building project for that matter, a building permit is required. As part of any building permit the intent and extent of the construction must be documented and approved by the town. It is not a question of whether the contractor is able to build properly or not, it's a matter of proving that the proposed construction adheres to all governing by-laws, building codes and applicable standards. Unless the project is tree-house simple, the fastest and easiest way to prove that the project does conform is to have it drafted. Most projects can be explained to the town and in cases like small renovations or roof dormers it still happens, but in most situations it's necessary to provide a document that can be left for the inspector to review and investigate possible code violations.

    Ideally, it just makes sense to have proper plans before starting a project. A drawing of your proposed construction can serve many purposes. In addition to satisfying the requirement of a building permit or code, the process of documenting your ideas can serve to organize your thoughts and force you to look at your ideas from a number of different directions. Many times when you document a plan you can see minor flaws in the original layout. Maybe a door doesn't swing correctly, a space doesn't function well with it's surroundings, or rooflines don't meet correctly. By reviewing your ideas in a conceptual format you can use the opportunity to develop ideas and improve on them prior to the start of construction. Many times a properly dimensioned layout can save you time and money by doing the planning on paper and not on site. Also, you are able to use the documents for construction pricing, financing, interior design, mechanical and electrical planning, interior and exterior space planning, site planning and with the advent of advanced CAD programs you can even take a virtual 3D walk through your home before breaking ground. The best contractors and planners in the industry use these opportunities to plan their designs and document their ideas before proceeding in what is the largest investment of a person’s life... your home.