Do I need a Structural Engineer or Architect?

I am about to buy a brownstone that needs some structure changes ( add additional kitchen and bathroom). I am a designer and I have a very limited budget… So I might prefer to design my house by myself. But I need someone to get the permit, can I just have a structural engineer to draw the new plan and get the permit? Thanks!

graph26

in General Discussion 5 years and 10 months ago

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hkapstein | 5 years and 10 months ago

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An architect or engineer can file the plans, but a structural engineer usually creates structural plans. Many engineers can do architectural plans and these are often cheaper. If the structural work is mainly changing non load bearing partitions, then you don’t really need a structural engineer at all.

GreenThinker | 5 years and 10 months ago

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You would still need a contractor to pull the actual work permit.

resident2 | 5 years and 10 months ago

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You need an architect. If you are adding a kitchen & bath (a whole additional apartment?)
It is never going to be cheap.
Filing plans is not so much about design as building codes, Access & egress requirements, fire codes etc.
If you are on a limited budget as you say; you will be better off looking for something that does not need structural changes, but just needs major cosmetic changes.