Question:

(1)  I'd like to remodel my house, whom should I contact first? Contractors? Architects? Civil/Structural Engineers? City Building Department?

Answer:

It really depends on the ideas you have for your house. A visit to the city/county building/planning department to find out if what you plan complies with the codes/zoning/city ordinance, and whether a building permit is required.   For your convenience, their links are provided at bottom.  Alternatively, licensed professionals like contractors, architects and engineers, they are also able to adise you regarding the

code issues. Even if a building permit is not required in your city/county, you may still want to hire a contractor for your own benefits.  In California, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that is valued at $500 or more for combined labor and materials costs must hold a current, valid license from Contractor State License Board (CSLB).  CSLB also advises in its website that "unlicensed individuals pose a risk to you and your family's financial security if a worker is injured while on your property, your property is damaged, or if the work is incomplete and/or faulty.  Few, if any, unlicensed individuals have a bond or workers' compensation insurance. The quality of their work usually doesn't compare to that of a licensed contractor. Don't take the chance in order to save a few dollars. You'll probably end up paying more in the long run."  It is true that this is a general advice, but as a consumer, you don't really want to spend time in the court to convince the judge that you're not responsible.  For the same reason, you want to check all workers in your property are employees of the contractor and covered under the contractor's workers' compensation insurance.  If they are sub-contractors, make sure they carry bond & workers' compensation insurance as well.  Homeowners may be liable for sub-contractors' employees' injuries.  Bottom line: always know the workers on your property are covered by their employers' or prime contractors' workers' compensation insurance.

If a permit is required, construction documents prepared by licensed consultant will likely be required for building permit application.  So whom should you call: architect, civil engineer or structural engineer?  Before you make a decision, let's look at what they do:  

Per American Institute of Architects (AIA), Architects’ services may include any or all of the following:

• Investigation, evaluation, consultation, and advice;
• Planning, schematic and preliminary studies, designs, working drawings, and specifications;
• Coordination of the work of technical & special consultants such as civil, mechanical, electrical & plumbing engineers;
• Compliance with generally applicable codes & regulations, & assistance in the governmental review process;
• Technical assistance in the preparation of bid documents & agreements between clients & contractors;