I just finished working with an architect to get plans submitted but want to make sure that I'm as knowledgable as possible before I take the next steps.  

More than half the time you spent performing personal services in ALL trades or business spent doing “qualified RE pro activities”.Qualified RE Activities include:Developing - Meetings with engineers, architects, etc or do this work yourself.

So I got myself into a tight spot submitting plans without an engineer or architect's stamp.

The average income for a CAD drafter in the Midwest is $45G's, but here as a project architect I barely made $40G.

The useful piece of advice I did get is to talk to an architect about it.

As an architect, we were taught the concept of "defensible space" which is basically a theory that states an area is safer when people feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for that piece of a community.

May need to involve an architect very early on in the discussion and be prepared to shell out some cash for the feasibility study - or atleast a free dinner or two!

I did not use architect or engineer because it wan not necessary.

I've been looking at a software called Chief Architect (because of how simple, advanced, or extensive, and in-depth it can be depending on how deep into it you want to go and what your plans are), as well as AutoDesk homestyler.

Also, I prefer the AIA (Am Architect Assoc) contracts and language for boilerplate, as it is more pro-client than the clauses general contractor's associations and attorneys draft.