We had an architect take a look about a year ago and told us the attic would just need a 2nd egress to get permitted.

So ask your architect what the cost to do that would be.

Anything over a 3 unit (some states 2 units) REQUIRES an architect.

Hire an architect or buy and learn a drafting program.Get a copy of what the city already has on file and compare with your building.

Finding a contractor or a GC or even an architect (they are very expensive) has been a huge task.

Look for an architect in your area that is experienced with these.

If you're trying to sell a billionaire on lending you nearly $70 million dollars for some speculative waterfront deals, you need to go in prepared to talk about:LOCATION - Access to property, comparable properties, demographics, schools, etcLAND - Lot size, zoning requirements, entitlements, surveys, plot plan, utilities, etcBUILDING - Isometric plan, unit count, amenities, how it conforms to zoning, what you will do if variance required, etcTEAM - Who will be the architect, builder, structural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, civil engineer, etc?

I will look up the cost estimator - can I just ask the architect that drafted the plans for this?

Hi Charles, I am an architect here in the Los Angeles area and am currently doing a project in Pasadena (not real estate investment related, it is for a client).

Location is near downtown, with great restaurants nearby, museums (specifically a world famous architect), a level 2 Trauma hospital and 3 different universities.