There are a lot of moving parts and any key person can mess it up for you (key people: Realtor, Contractor, drafter/ architect) Let me know: I have a lot of experience with things like this and have the full team of all the key professionals to help.

We need:An architect- new floor plan with added square footage and permits Roofers- new roost, gutters, soffit Framers- new layout Plumbing - move water lines for new kitchen, laundry and bathroom layouts, install new appliances Electrician- update electrical lines for new layout Insulation/drywall Decking- assess current deck/ install new deckFence- install new fence Let me know what awesome people you guys are working with so I can give them some business.

A little about me is I am a practicing architect full time, I am looking to get to the real estate market to better understand the business and build a network.

My job is to teach continued education courses to architects, and while I love what I do, I have always been self-motivated and I would like to reach a point where I'm working for myself. 

It took us over 9 months of back and forth AND we were using a very knowledgeable local architect.  

Your plumber and architect should know the drill.Also, I believe you can now cut on some of the permit fees under the owner-initiated lead service line replacement - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/permits/svcs/waterservice.html

I would run all those numbers and talk with an architect that is familiar with Evanston and the codes. 

It seems to me that GCs just want to bid on plans and architects want to be told what to draw.

If you proceed with project you will need to get an architect to draw up plans and get a permit and hire a contractor.

Still, it works for us.If you are getting plans for the attic, definitely talk to architect @Samuel Pavlovcik.