Working with Sunrise Design Services
Residential Drafting & Permit Plan Process
Sunrise Design Services prepares practical, permit-ready residential building plans for homeowners, owner-builders, and contractors throughout Washington and Oregon. Whether you are planning a custom home, remodel, addition, ADU/DADU, garage, shop, or other residential project, our design process turns your sketches, ideas, measurements, and site information into clear construction drawings for pricing, engineering, and permit review.
Preliminary Design
The preliminary design stage is where your project takes shape. We review your ideas, discuss the scope of work, and begin developing the layout, room arrangement, elevations, roof forms, and overall design direction.
This stage usually requires the most client input because it is where major design decisions are made. Walls, doors, windows, room sizes, and general layout are refined before the project moves into full production drafting.
Production Drafting
After the preliminary design is approved, the plans move into production. At this stage, Sunrise Design Services prepares the construction drawings needed for engineering and building permit submittal.
Depending on the project, your plan package may include site plans, floor plans, foundation plans, framing or roof plans, exterior elevations, building sections, construction details, energy-code documentation, and other residential CAD drawings required for review.
The goal is to create a complete, build-able plan package that is practical, organized, and ready for the next step.
Engineering Options
Most residential building projects require some form of structural engineering. When certified engineering is required, Sunrise Design Services can prepare the plans for review by a third-party engineer.
Some projects may qualify for prescriptive engineering, which can reduce cost and save the additional time often required for outside engineering. Prescriptive engineering is reviewed on a project-by-project basis because not all designs qualify.
How Long Does the Design Process Take?
Project timelines depend on the size and complexity of the design, the number of client revisions, engineering requirements, permit requirements, and current workload. Simple projects may move quickly, while larger custom homes, additions, and remodels often require more design coordination.
As a general planning rule, allow several months for design, drafting, engineering, and permit preparation. City and county plan review time should also be factored into your construction schedule.
Start Planning Before Build Season
In Washington and Oregon, many homeowners want to begin construction during the spring and summer months. Starting the design and planning process in fall or winter gives you more time for design decisions, engineering, permit review, contractor scheduling, and material planning.
Early planning helps avoid rushed decisions, seasonal bottlenecks, and costly construction delays.
Ready to begin your project? Contact Sunrise Design Services for a free preliminary design review and quote.