I get where you’re coming from about not overloading the application, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with consultants. When I tried to “keep it simple” and do it all myself, I missed a couple of technical details that ended up dragging out the process way longer than if I’d just paid for expert help up front. Sometimes those consultants know exactly what language the city wants to see—especially for green upgrades or historic stuff.
“Give them something positive to latch onto (like green upgrades), but don’t drown them in details or extra opinions unless you really need backup.”
I’d say, if you’re not sure, a short consult can be worth it. Just don’t let them take over the whole show. Maybe it’s about finding the right balance, not just less is more?
Totally agree that consultants can be a lifesaver, especially when you hit those weird city requirements you’d never think of. I’ve had plans bounce back for the tiniest missing detail—like not specifying the exact R-value on insulation. That said, I’ve also seen consultants overcomplicate things just to justify their fee. I usually do a deep dive into the city’s checklist first, then bring in a pro for a quick review if I’m stuck. It’s all about knowing when you’re out of your depth... and not being afraid to admit it.
I’ve run into that too—one missing spec and the whole thing gets kicked back. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth investing in those pre-submittal meetings with city staff. Has anyone found those actually help, or do they just add another layer of red tape?
Pre-submittal meetings have been a mixed bag for me. There was one project where I thought it’d just slow things down, but the planner actually caught a weird setback issue before I even submitted. Saved me a week of back-and-forth. Other times, it feels like they’re just reading off a checklist and not really engaging. Guess it depends on who you get and how complex your plans are. I usually go for them if the project’s anything out of the ordinary—otherwise, I’ll risk it and hope my paperwork’s bulletproof.