Randall Eveleigh, Architect

I employed a contractor to install a full bathroom upstairs, instead of the sink and toilet we have in that space. When the permit request was submitted, lo and behold, the permit office discovered that our entire upstairs, including our master bedroom, was not supposed to be there. There was no record of any permit to establish a living space upstairs. The planning department sent back a six-page letter, specifying items that needed to be documented and addressed before they would even consider granting a permit for the work. This included such things as a diagram of a cross-section of studs and floor joists under the upstairs space, and a ratio of window glazing area to the area of the walls of the upstairs, plumbing and electrical design and a gazillion other items. I had no idea of how to respond, and thought it'd probably be necessary to close off the upstairs, which was the planning department's order if a response wasn't given that would bring the area up to code. To say that the communication from the planning office was overwhelming would be a huge understatement. I spoke to a neighbor who was a retired architect, and he said that an architect would be able to help. He gave me the names of two architects he thought were really excellent. I called Randy and left a message (it was after hours). He responded within the hour, and assured me that he could address all the issues the planning office had listed, and that he hoped to get my bathroom project back on track within a short time. He came over the next day to begin taking measurements to draw the house and the new bathroom. He did all the work quickly, and beautifully. The plan reviewer assigned to my project by the city is known as a stickler by every contractor I've dealt with. Nothing gets by her, and projects have to toe the line. Randy not only drew up the required plans, but spoke with the reviewer several times to clarify insulation issues (houses built in 1923 didn't address insulation very well) and the design of the planned re-roofing job and the attic space adjoining the master bedroom, making changes in the design to meet her specs. Through all this, he was invariably prompt to respond to my many questions, and just a really nice guy. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the work he did. The architectural plans are clear and beautiful, my stress was gone the minute he told me that he had a lot of experience working with the Berkeley planning department, and my project is underway again. Yay!