looking for an architect for plans on exterior door to replace a window.
 

I live in the Villages and have a Amarillo model home. I have added a lanai for the second bedroom. There is a window already there and is the correct height for a exterior door, so the header is already there. I can put the door in, but need plan for Sumter County permit and Villages Architectural review board. Not expecting any freebie, willing to pay. Thank You,

Since this person will probably need to be licensed so you get a STAMPED drawing, I suggest you just go to one of the local engineering firms. If you can find out who did the original design of your home, i would use them as they would have the original drawings. i had a similar need, and the Sumter County Building department had a list of suitable firms for the project I was working on, the 17 page report was around $250.

Once you touch a door or a window, you're now in a Level 2 under the IBC. Depending on how picky the local jurisdiction wants to get, you'll likely have Energy Compliance issues, among other things, you might need to comply with ... which is probably why the Tinker needed a 17 page report.

A "header" for a window, isn't necessarily going to support a door, there are other considerations.

I want to do the same, replace 6’ wide window with slider. The kicker is that I have tilt wall construction. Anybody been down this road yet z?

If (big if) you can contact the designer of the tilt wall you may be able to find out if the SAME design is used for windows and sliders. As i noted in another reply, go to your county building department and get your house plans, these may have the info you need.

It would be irresponsible for any Building Commissioner to issue a building permit for such a change, without a Plan, stamped by a Structural Engineer.

No credible Structural Engineer is going to stamp a plan, without an inspection to confirm the actual construction, is consistent with the original plans. In other words, you're not likely to get an Engineer's Stamped Plan, that isn't subject to verification that the wall in question, was constructed per original plan (inspection after demo).

That becomes increasing more complicated, with Tilt-Up Construction. One would likely have to produce the original 3rd party verifications on the concrete that originally went into the panels, along withe original Structural Engineer's certifications.

I'd budget a minimum of $7500 to replace a window with a slider in CMU home, $20,000 for a Tilt Up.

I believe Romac not only sells and installs, they have the structural engineers you need that can draw up an architectural blueprint (draftsman print). Mine started at 1k for door size increase (just the blueprint). That is a good deal and they know what you need to do to meet the permits and inspections. Very friendly.

Then you can either use their crew or purchase from them or just get the blue.

The header supports the weight from above and has absolutely nothing to do with whether a door or window is below it. Another thing for the OP to consider when DIYing the window door swap is that there is probably electrical wiring running under the existing window

There is no difference
between a Window or Door Header

the Structural Member merely
removes the LOAD Off the Opening

Original comment specifically stated that the NEW Lanai has already been added … that Permit should have required the Report

Suggest that you speak with a
Building Dept Official to Verify IF
another report is warranted

I do not recall that the Licensed Structural Engineer that Certified my Plans was Ever Required to submit anything besides NOA Documentation to simply replace an Existing Window with a New Door within the same Opening

RoMac is a
Building Supply Company

And they only have a team of
Drafters that are given the title of “Architectural Designer” and ‘Sub Out’ PE Certification

because I was briefly employed in that department, and was NOT at all Impressed with their [lack of] qualifications

NOT an Issue as long as the Proposed Door is same size or smaller then the Window you are Replacing

MUST be able to fit within
the Rough Opening (RO)

It has everything to do with what's below it.

It distributes the weight above it, to reduce the weigh on the "opening" underneath it.

I agree there's no difference, if the width is the same.

I can't believe a local Building Commissioner will issue a Building Permit for a renovation, without a certification as to what's actually in place.

With respect to "tilt up", it's a horse of another color. In theory, the header should be the same, but there are other considerations. What's in those walls? Conduit? Plumbing? HVAC ducts? Was the concrete tested when poured?

I'll defer to a structural engineer on this part of the equation, because I'm certainly not one (& only do Commercial construction, which means we need a "stamp" to do anything) ... but with pre-cast concrete, it seems we're looking at an entirely different scenario regarding torsional strength. I'm not sure a "header" for a window (depending on the size of the window), works for a door. (i.e. the precast is going to have rebar below the window RO).

We did this. Added a second screened catio for a hot tub. We hired a contractor who took care of everything.

Yes it does but it is totally irrelevant whether it is a door or window. Also it doesn’t really distribute the weight it removes it totally from what is beneath it and places it on the sides of the opening.

Just for the intellectual challenge, I'll suggest that's partially true.

In theory, it removes sufficient weight from the rough opening, that the opening is self-supported (for lack of a better description).

Depend on the height of the opening, that weight then moves diagonally back to the structure (I believe). In other words, a "header" on a 3rd floor of a structure removes sufficient weight in a RO, only to a certain "depth". That load eventually moves back to the fulcrum/base and a 2nd header would be required to put a window into the 1st floor of that wall.

Am I missing something?

& again, if we're talking precast concrete, it's a whole other can of worms.

You don't need an architect, designer, or anything like that. You need a credible builder. I can recommend Dimetri Homes & Remodeling.
They have done this kind of thing hundreds of times and have an excellent reputation in Sumter and Marion Counties.
They can do it all, and their work is impeccable.
Don't hesitate to give them a call and speak with them. You won't be sorry.

Demetri Homes and Remodeling
8311 SE Highway 42, Summerfield, FL 34491-7075
Demetri Homes & Remodeling - The Villages, FL
(352) 427-2787

Your research word salad is impressive but you know we are talking about a window being removed and a door being installed in a single story wood framed home on a concrete slab. My research was done in 30 years building homes.

Amarillo is an older model name. Either a frame or block construction. Usually between the 6’s and north. Poured walls off site (tilt wall usually onsite) was the new construction south of 44, fully completed then dropped into place with a crane. More than Twenty years ago our family did onsite poured walls, for larger homes, with an occasional on site tilt wall, instead of block.

OP hasn’t stated the wall construction, guessing block. I do wonder why the window wasn’t changed at the same time me as the lanai was added.

No research required, the "word salad" is mine, based on building $100,000,000 worth of commercial buildings & at least 100 homes, back in my younger days.

I'm happy to explain it in other terms if you'd like?

(& the OP did not specify it was a "wood-frame" home and a subsequent poster specifically asked about the process if it was "tilt-up" construction.

I
Pretty obvious that with all your experience “Building “ that you have never been hands on doing any of it. Also , that specific Villages house plan is wood frame only

You're exactly right. Someone has to be there, to tell the "hands on guys" how to do it properly, which is why we have Architects, Structural Engineers and Building Inspectors.

In this case, everyone seems to be forgetting that changing a window to a door, triggers Level 2 Compliance with the IBC (which FL Building Code is derived from (2015 IBC). You can't just go changing doors to windows, willy, nilly ... at least not if you want the home to be Code compliant. Of course, most of the handyman types around The Villages don't have a clue and don't worry about what happens when someone goes to sell a home and they find out that Mr. Handyman didn't do a job right.

So unless for some ridiculous reason, FL decided not to adopt the relevant section of the IBC, replacing a window with a door, isn't a job for a handyman.

Fortunately the OP knows that, which is why he titled this thread, "Looking for an Architect ... ".