Avalanche

Holy crap.

The architect just left. Things will start hot and heavy now.

He left three sets of the architectural and structural drawings, plus two sets of the "calc books" (structural calculations and energy calculations). He spent about an hour discussing the plans and process ahead. He also noted some changes he wants to make to the architectural drawings that will have no bearing on plan check, but might have some on the bidding process.

Tomorrow, I'll take the drawings and calcs to the City (along with a $700 "plan check fee").

Tomorrow night, the architect will return with a Form 126, filled out with the general information. Form 126 is a county fire department document, outlining the need for fire sprinklers (the new code that it seems we'll be beta testing); he will also provide for us the information as to which drawings (and how many copies) the fire department will need.

On Friday, I'll take this down to the City to have them fill out the "water purveyor" portion of the document. Then either Friday or next Monday, I'll take that package to the folks at fire, plus another plan check fee (this one probably around $250).

On Saturday, Lisa will meet with the architect to hammer out the bid letter. This letter outlines for the prospective contractors an overview of the project, the dates (of both the bid and the proposed construction) and any areas of the bid that may include alternative solutions/costs. The architect's sent me a sample, and I've made what changes I can, highlighted areas of question or concern, and noted some outstanding questions. That finished letter will then be part of the package we give to contractors as early as next week.

On Monday, the architect will deliver the updated architectural drawings to the graphics company to scan and hold. We'll meet again that night to go over the final drawings.

On Tuesday, first we'll contact the graphics company to print out as many sets of drawings as we have contractors bidding on the process (times two). Then we'll contact the contractors and say that we are ready to begin the bid process, letting them know that we have two sets of the drawings and a bid letter ready for them to pick up. When they come to pick up the drawings, we hand over the drawings and bid letter, briefly outline the timeframe (two weeks) and direct them to email to me any questions. If/When I receive questions, I am to forward them on to the architect. He will respond to me and I will send them to the particular contractor, sending copies of this correspondence to the other active bidders, so that everyone is on an even playing field.

In the meantime, we need to find another contractor we might be interested in working with... we have two, but the architect says it's a good idea to have three.

Now, I'm beginning to stress...

Goodgoda'mighty, what the hell have we gotten ourselves into???