Does my addition need a Title 24 report?
Most do. What decides it isn’t the size of the addition — it’s whether the work touches the envelope, the ductwork, or the HVAC equipment.
It's about what the work touches, not how big it is
An addition is new conditioned floor area, which triggers Title 24 the same way an ADU does — regardless of how small the addition is or how compliant the rest of the house already is. A remodel is judged differently: it needs a report if it touches the building envelope (walls, windows, insulation, roof), the ductwork, or the HVAC equipment — including a straight equipment change-out with nothing else changing. A remodel that only moves non-structural interior partitions, with none of that touched, usually doesn’t need one.
In practice, most remodels big enough to need a permit end up touching at least one of those three things — a wall gets opened for new wiring and the insulation behind it counts as disturbed, a duct gets rerouted for a new layout, a water heater gets relocated. The safest way to know for certain is to send the plans either way: if it doesn’t need a report, that gets said plainly, at no charge for the look.
Not sure which category your project falls into? Garage conversion vs. detached ADU covers a related distinction (new construction vs. alteration) that works the same way here.
Prices
Flat fees, in writing before I start. No hourly, no bid package, no change-order games — the number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
Your first report with me
One per client, homes under 3,000 square feet. Full energy model, CF1R and CHEERS registration. It’s a test run — send one job and see how it goes.
Every model after the first
The standard rate once you’re a client — the second building, ADU plus main house, the next project that walks in. Back in 3 business days.
Over 3,000 square feet
Quoted from the plans before any work starts, same day.
24×36 plan-sheet set
Your CF1R laid out full size, matched to your drawing set. Comes back as a PDF you drop straight in.
Revisions
Two revisions included, plus questions any time. Past two I quote first, before I touch it.
Commercial / tenant improvement
Send the plans and you’ll have a flat quote back the same day. No deposit, no minimum.
How it works
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01
Send the plans
A PDF of the architecturals and the project address. If something’s missing I ask once, in one email — not five.
Mechanical and plumbing don’t have to be picked yet. If the plans don’t call out the HVAC or the water heater, I model what I’d normally specify for that job and tell you exactly what I assumed. Change any of it and I’ll rerun — that’s not a revision.
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02
I build the model
If the design does not comply as drawn, I tell you what the model needs to pass and the least disruptive way I can find to get there — your call what goes on the drawings.
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03
You get it back ready to sign
CF1R registered with CHEERS, you named as the responsible designer. 3 business days — 24–48 hours on your first one. Pay on delivery: Zelle, Venmo or Cash App.
One honest note
I’m not a licensed engineer or architect, and I don’t stamp drawings. On the CF1R I’m the documentation author — you stay the responsible designer. Nothing about your role on the job changes.
That’s on purpose. I’m not after your scope or your clients. I do one piece of the permit set — the piece that usually holds it up — and I do it fast.
Addition & remodel questions
If yours isn’t here, see the full FAQ or call and ask.
Does my ADU or addition actually need one?
Almost certainly. New conditioned floor area — ADUs, JADUs, garage conversions, additions — triggers Title 24. So do alterations that touch the envelope, the ductwork, or the HVAC equipment, including a straight change-out. A remodel that only moves non-structural interior partitions usually doesn’t.
Send it either way. If it doesn’t need a report I’ll say so and there’s no charge for the look.
What if the design doesn’t comply as drawn?
I tell you what the model needs to pass and the least disruptive way I can find to get there — a glazing change, a duct location, an equipment efficiency bump. I don’t redraw your building and I don’t decide for you. What goes on the drawings is your call; my job is to hand you the options with numbers attached.
What if I'm not sure whether my remodel counts?
What do you need from me to start?
A PDF of the architecturals and the project address. Floor plans, elevations and a window schedule is plenty.
You don’t need the HVAC or water heater picked. If the plans don’t call them out, I model what I’d normally specify for that job — and I list every assumption in the email so nothing is buried. Swap any of it and I rerun; that doesn’t count against your free revisions.
The design doesn’t have to be finished either. Early is often better, because that’s when a compliance problem is still cheap to fix.
Find out for certain.
Send the plans and get a straight answer — no report needed, or a registered CF1R back in 24–48 hours on your first job.