Starting a remodeling project can be a daunting task, where do you start? In most cases, you start with a plan, and in order to get a plan, you need measurements, and a designer, those are the first two steps. The more work you can do on your own, the less cost your contractor to charge you for the work. The more informed you are, the better you will be able to find a good contractor and if needed an architect. However in most cases, unless your doing NEW construction meaning your adding new space to your home, sqft, you dont need an Architect to make up your plans, they just need to be approved by your local permits office. In most jurisdictions the homeowner can pull their own permits, for things like framing, electrical and plumbing, as long as they or their contractors do the work to code, but mechanical, which is HVAC and GAS etc, will need to be done, and usually certified, by a 3rd party in some cities, for ductwork. In short, there is no one code, that every city or town, uses, meaning every city will have their own rules and regulations about what they need in a permit. I am a retired, licensed Class A Contractor with more than 35 years of experience, and a SME, subject matter expert in many different areas of study and have a US Patent in Structural Vacuum Insulated Panel systems, and other areas.