Permitting and architectural drawing

[Emilio Pereira]

Hello I have a question to see if I can get pointed in the right direction! 
I purchased a property to BRRRR it out and it has a screened covered porch. I wanted to enclose the porch but I am wondering if I need to get an architectural drawing for this work since I'm not changing the structure what so ever. It already has the post and the same roof as the house. I'm not adding any new electrical work or new plumbing. I have attached a pictures so you can get the visual. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you

[Eric Teran]

@Emilio Pereira I’m going to give you the worst case scenario as I am an architect and this has happened to my clients. Once you enclose the space and make it habitable you need to add mechanical and electrical components to the space. You  also have to add insulation to the walls and roof. There is no attic so you most likely have to use close cell insulation in the ceiling. This is costly and other options will lower the ceiling height. Also, windows will have to be brought up to code. I can’t tell if the side wall is all windows but this will not pass for shear wall requirements if changed to habitable space.

The biggest cost may be the foundation. A foundation for a screen porch or what may have been a carport is not the same as habitable space. Depending where you are in the country your footing has to be a certain depth. For example, I’m in the DC area and footings are required to be 30” below grade. If this only has a 12” footing then the footing has to be extended 18” to be 30” from grade. You can underpin or demo and rebuild but either option may become expensive. 
We don’t know when this was built but most likely the building codes are new and this won’t hold up if you make it an interior space to be part of the house. Once again, I’m giving you a worst case scenario but these are the questions you need to ask. A contractor will not know this because it isn’t their job to know this. I know this as an Architect who has 20 years of experience and numerous clients who are developers that always try to do something similar. I’ve learned through experience.

So you may not need an architect but be careful if a contractor promises you that it is easy. What you should do …. What you need to do is go to the municipality and ask them what is required to convert this space into an interior space. Make a list of all the items I mentioned and ask them directly as many city employees only answer yes and no. At the very end ask them is there anything else I should know. At this point you will know what you need. 
Good luck.