I'm an architect based in Los Angeles with licenses in California and Massachusetts.

We used an architect to help with the ARB and reconfigure of an old 7 room boarding house.  

because we do a ton of work before we close we have to get our architect plans etc etc its not uncommon for us to have 10 to 50k into a deal before we close.. so the first time I spent some money on survey and such only to find out title was buggered up with heirs and no probate I learned that no good.. so that's how I handle those areas..  

I'm an architect, which may be more of a hindrance than a help to successful investing.

Check to see if you have to install any manholes, fire hydrants, curb, gutter, sidewalks, street signs, street lighting any specific street design or access requirements, Check DOT requirements for access, stop lights and permits, traffic studies, DWQ requirements for permits, permit fees and time frames.Once you have an idea of what you can build and what is required in terms of permitting and infrastructure you want to talk to some civil engineers, architects and commercial general contractors that do the type of projects and build the type of buildings you want to build so you can get an idea of costs, time frame and requirements.

One of the things is a "rotating foundation" that a lot of architects and contractors have looked at but said they have seen worse, but we would like to protect our house as well as take advantage of the seismic retrofit refund (we also have a roof that hasn't been replaced in 20 years, and would love to do our kitchen but are willing to put that off for later). 

I am an architect by default, so I use it to create Python code for me to run with my design software.

To answer your question about Takeoff software, that is only useful if you have architectural drawings that you can upload to the takeoff software to measure all of your quantities.For the average flip, I would doubt you are having an architect draw up plans of the entire house, so if you don't have drawings you won't be able to use an Takeoff software.If you are doing new construction projects or extensive rehabs where you are adding square footage and have architectural drawings that you can use then that would be the only time Takeoff software would be applicable.Even so, measuring materials for houses that are only 1,500 to 3,000 sf is not overly difficult.  

My two best friends are a lawyer and Architect respectively, on a good year they make higher wages than my active income, yet neither of them have a pot to piss in after their expenses are accounted for.   

Smith, RA - Principal Architect at Architect Owl PLLC (Licensed in NY & CT)