Plan check fees?
Per Gang Chen's PjM ARE mock exam question #15?
Which of the following is typically NOT required for a new library building "plan check"?
1./ planning dep't plan check fee
2./ building dep't plan check fee
3./ fire dep't plan check fee
4./ heaLth dep't plan check fee
5./ school district fee (why not add in "plan check fee")
6./ drainage fee
Questions posed:
FIRST: why, if ONLY the owner or GC are permitted to apply for the permit, would ARCH need to think about such fees?
SECOND: where, if "first" actually applies, would an ARCH research this type question pertaining to fees?
THIRD: if I understand that: planning, transportation, building & safety departments are "LOCAL", and environmental health is "COUNTY"; without the question referencing how would anyone try to understand the direction and/or relevance of this question's topic as it should pertain to the agency between ARCH/OWNER?
Is this a question related to "public" vs. "private"?
FOURTH: again, if "first" actually applies, with such ambiguity, please give a reference book, or article, or AIA document for which we can go master in memory so's we don't lose grip on why this question shall ever exist; would a client ever ask the ARCH to know of such an answer, or even question these fees that we should know up front?
PLEASE HELP, and greatly appreciated if you can!!! How about Mr. Chen? Do you care to shed light as to where you pulled this information? If we don't hear back from anyone, we will readily assume: "there are no objections or rejections, and we shall move forward without hesitation". Best and thank you!
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This is what every architect does: prepare plans and assist the owner to obtain permit for the project. If you read B101,Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect, it requires an architect provide normal architectural services expected in the local area.
In every project, we always try to find out about the plan check fees upfront, but we typically suggest the owner give us a blank check with a not to exceed amount in case some last minutes fees changes at the city when we go to submit the plans.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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There are at least two separate fees when you deal with the governing agencies (typically a city or county):
- Plan check fees: the governing agencies will NOT accept the architect’s plans without the plan check fees. They do not work for free. The fees cover their staff’s time checking and processing your plans and other expenses. An architect often assists the owner to obtain the amount of plan check fees, but the owner is responsible to pay for them.
- Permitting fees: after the plans are approved, the staff at governing agencies will calculate the permit fees based on size or the project or valuation or some other criteria. An architect often assists the owner to obtain the amount of permitting fees, but the contractor is responsible to pay for them per A201.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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I'm studying for PjM and came across Plan Check Fees mentioned somewhere, but I can't find any detail on different types, such as the list posed in the above sample question.
I understand the concept of local governing agencies checking plans and the owner paying for that, and governing agencies issuing permits, and the contractor paying for that...but is there a resource that explains this in more detail? My own experience with these sorts of fees is sparse and has been mostly limited just county building/elec/pumb&hvac permits.
Thanks!
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