Colorado B.S. Thread

How much time do you have to learn CAD software? I'd recommend just pencil and paper like others mentioned.

 

I've used it but it's been a long time and I don't really want to pay for it. Hahaha. I'm thinking paper is going to be the easiest. Thanks for the responses.

 

Visio might have a trial out there if you have office products already

 

Sketchup will get you what they're looking for. Free and pretty small learning curve to use.

 

Pen and paper works for Arvada

 

Same for Westminster, have done multiple permits of pencil on graph paper, they didn't bat an eye.

 

Use MS Paint. Preferably with the spray can.

 

Or.. skip all the hassle and just build it. No permit required

 

Sometimes it is easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

 

Except, I have seen home sales fall threw because of "un-permitted" changes to homes. Small stuff sure, but basements I think should be pulled due to this reason

 

Yeah I've considered not pulling permits but worried about selling it later. It's already framed and the electrical is almost all roughed in. Just need to draw up what I've done and submit it now. Figured this way if any of it changed then I wouldn't have to resubmit a change. The wife has changed her mind twice already so I'm kind of glad I didn't get the permit yet.

 

just know the "code" before you submit. Framing (clearances - vertical and horizontal), electrical (outlet spacing,...), HVAC, plumbing, insulation, fire block, drywall....they can be nice or naughty depending on who does the inspection and how they feel. Might be better off to have critical things like electrical and plumbing done by a licensed contractor. GL.

 

I've researched the codes and have a friend who is an electrician help me with that. The things I wasn't sure about I just contacted the building division for clarification and they were very helpful.

 

Yeah, any questions reach out to them. I think they showed me "Fire Blocking" details twice after I failed that inspection. Wish I had just went in and asked them proper technique.

On electrical I want to say I had nothing on drawing, but I did get advice (Spacing) from electrician who connected it all up (I put in boxes and pulled the wire to new panel)

 

Yeah, still dealing with a previous owner's un-permitted basement electrical work. Didn't pull a new circuit, just ran all the lights and outlets off an existing circuit. And didn't ground any of it. My favorite was pulling light fixtures off, and seeing they had snipped the ground wire off flush where the romex entered the junction box >_<.

 

You're probably good then

 

Vectorworks and AutoCAD should both offer free trial downloads as long as you're not concerned about having a watermark. Personally I prefer Vectorworks. I wasn't really a fan of SketchUp when I played with it for a bit, but I think I'm just really used to VW.

 

Does anyone in/around the springs have an Autel programming tool I could borrow? I'm looking into make a cloned set.

 

I’m in Salida and have one.

 

FYI the cheap $60 one is pretty good, but you need a windows computer to use it.