Need a bit (or more) of help...

[Zenica]

Hello Forum,

 

I am new here but given the complex and overly strict rules my township has regarding what a homeowner can and cannot do

within the walls I pay taxes on, I am likely to be a permanent resident

on this forum.

 

I wish to recess my refrigerator into the wall where a pantry is now

and relocate the bathroom entrance door. Here are some basic sketches I made just to get an idea of the project.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

 

I would also be cutting into the bathroom space by installing a

new pantry and turning the sink. Relocating the door will give

a little more privacy and prevent unwanted odors/sounds from

reaching the kitchen so easily.

 

My township first told me I had to have architectual engineering

blueprints issued by a licences architect before they will issue permits. Only after I found in

the NJ UCC that I did not need them, they changes their story, they now claim I need the

blueprint but that I can prepare it myself. Rather than fight them on the code or how the NJ UCC

is written, I want to try my hand at the blueprints, if it is beyond me then I will take that up with the city.

 

Can anyone here offer some pointers/guidance with using AutoCAD

to create these blue prints? The town wants a top view like my

basic sketch but also a side view cut away.

[ReMark]

Seems like you got a good start on it. I'd suggest that since it is just a portion of the house that you maybe consider a scale of 1/2"=1'-0" for the final drawing rather than the normal 1/8"=1'-0". You might also want to show the true thickness of the walls. What you have above would be OK as a "rough sketch" but I doubt the building department would accept it.

 

Are they requesting just the one elevation (floor to ceiling) or more than one? If it is a section did they indicate where they would like to see the section cut?

 

Sometimes I think it depends on the time of day and the building offical you talk to that determines how the whole process will go. Some of these people like nothing better than to yank your chain.

 

Just making it look professional will go a long ways towards smoothing your working relationship with your"public servants". Good luck. Hope you get a permit before winter! LOL

[Zenica]

Some of these people like nothing better than to yank your chain.

 

Just making it look professional will go a long ways towards smoothing your working relationship with your"public servants". Good luck. Hope you get a permit before winter! LOL

 

 

!Winter!??

 

Yikes!

 

The construction official made a scratch pad drawing indicating he wanted

to see a cut a way view, to see the space between the walls. He also wants to see markings on the blueprint that show things like "king stud", "top plate, bottom plate" thickness of sheetrock, 2x4 stud etc etc. In his little notepad drawing he is showing it as you might see it standing in a room looking at the wall rather than a topographical view. Walls not being changed should be a thicker font than walls being added, he also wants a "Key" listing what is what. Is all of this normal for a project this small?

 

Given the specifications and any questions I can answer, can I entice anyone here to help get me started by making a part of this for me?

Perhaps an architect student looking for a few extra $$$? I can pay via PayPal!! lol

 

I downloaded a trial version of AutoCAD but it will take 30 days just to

familiarize myself with the program!

[Noahma]

I take by NJ, you mean new Jersey? building officials here in the states can be a major pain in the rear. Boulder Colorado being the worst. lol

 

What year is the house built? if it is a newer build Ie after plaster and lathe, you will have probably 2X4 interior studs and 1/2" gyp board on either side.

 

You will have two top plates, that are 2X4's on their side, and one bottom plate also a 2X4 on its side. This will be sitting on a sub-floor of 3/4" plywood.

 

remember that dimensionally a 2X4 will be 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"

 

A section view will show exactly that, it is like cutting through the wall to show its internal components, you can find more information on the internet on how they should show. There might be a requirement for an interior elevation of that area, that would be exactly as it sounds. I cannot believe they are putting you through this for such a small change in your house. One town in our area will accept drawings done on graph paper if it shows what they want. Post any questions you have, there are a few of us architectural guys around here.

 

In Colorado only multi-family, medium to large commercial projects require an Architectural stamp. So us lowly Designers can practice with little to no problems (I do Custom Residential)

[Zenica]

Noahma,

 

Yep, New Joisey...the "Garden" state....

 

Our house was built in 1984, I cut a small section of the sheetrock

away and I see 2x4 (or what passes for 2x4 nowadays) and they are not

even spaced the same distance from each other. The sheetrock appears to

be 1/2 inch as you stated. To make things a bit interesting, the ground floor

of this part of the house is built on a concrete slab so the ground floor powder

room bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and garage are all on the concrete slab.

 

The dining room, living room and front patio/deck are on wood. Don't ask me why

as I have no idea what the builder was thinking back then...

 

I am trying to get a handle on AutoCAD 2010 right now but this is an intense

application...

[qball]

Here's a start. Not sure if you've already finished as the post was a couple days ago.

Some of the dimensions on the sketch were unclear. I'd use STRETCH command to adjust things as you need them. Add the floor or roof construction, some notes and maybe more dimensions and you should be good to go.

BATH.dwg

[Zenica]

qball,

 

I am still working on it...but at 7:30am this morning I had my golfball sized tonsils

removed. It might be a day or so before I try this again...but thank you for the jump start, once I get the vicodine out of my system, I will hate a peak...