Some architects or home designers dont have the capability or desire to learn the 3d programs. Costs can vary based on the complexity of th plan and roof lines and the amount of detail you want to see inside and out but you would pay architect or designer either way. Sketch up is a nice tool but can intimidate many and it is limited in its free program compared to some 3d programs. Most just dont have the time or patience or computer savy to learn it. Sometimes its better to make money doing what you do best and let others do the same. To each their own.... The process should be a fun one !

Thanks Don, I should've mentioned the up force was at 9. I found and called the cust svc number 800-528-5236, and they made me lower the up force to 5, manually lift the door waist high and drop it. Since it slammed to the ground, their conclusion is that the door is not balanced and thus the GDO is doing all the work. they recommended a couple of repair guys to do what's called a Door Balancing. Does this make sense to you? Thanks again.

I left out some details that I shouldn't have. I'm following the so-called "performance path" of CalGreen that lets you exceed the "prescriptive" 20% reduction" requirement on individual fixtures as long as you achieve an overall 20% reduction across the whole house. Since I'm building in Mountain View, I'm using the spreadsheet in section 4.303 of the "Mountain View Amendments to 2010 CalGreen". They list the baseline number for showers as 2.5. I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that by using really low-flow toilets and faucets throughout the house, plus very low-flow showerheads in the other 2 bathrooms, I can use more than the "prescriptive" number on the master bath shower as long as the total water usage comes in with at least 20% savings. The code section I referenced above describes how to do the calculations, giving values for number of minutes or flushes per day, number of occupants based on number of bedrooms, etc. I put it all into a spreadsheet so I could tweak the numbers. I can post a link to that if you're curious. The summary is that I think I can go up to 2.5 gpm in the master shower, which means a 2.5 gpm hand shower and overhead rain shower, plus 3x 0.8 gpm body sprays, as long as only one of those can operate at any given time. I have absolutely no experience with this, though. If you or anyone else has actually done this sort of thing and know what inspectors tend to allow and forbid, I'd love to hear from you. And as soon as I pick a contractor (next week I hope) I'm going to find out who his plumber is and ask the plumber about it. Thanks! Laura

You can beg to differ all you want but physics is physics - it is not removing harmful VOC's, Carcinogens and PM. In recommending this you are putting people's health at risk. If they have a number of windows open providing cross ventilation when they are cooking then they are likely OK but if their house is closed up then this is an irresponsible recommendation on your part. Search on Woody Delp, Brett Singer, Range Hoods, LBNL. Also: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwji6e_a_v3vAhXUVc0KHX0xBt4QFjAPegQIEBAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fefiling.energy.ca.gov%2FGetDocument.aspx%3Ftn%3D235047%26DocumentContentId%3D67939&usg=AOvVaw3wXVWPjO7UySPiN_jE15Si