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A proven, permit-ready workflow from concept to completion.
Our 4-Step Path to Approval
01. Intake & Fit Check
Submit your project details via our digital inquiry form. Our team reviews your specific needs against current jurisdictional requirements to ensure a strategic alignment with our core services and expertise.
Why: Confirms scope early so your project starts with the right strategy—not guesswork.
02. Verification & Site Analysis
We perform a comprehensive site visit to capture high-precision 3D laser scans of existing conditions. This data-driven approach eliminates guesswork, creating an exact digital foundation for all subsequent design work.
Why: Ensures drawings match reality—reducing rework, change orders, and permit setbacks.
03. Strategy & Documentation
We develop a customized zoning and code-compliance pathway. Our focus shifts to the production of detailed, permit-ready construction drawings that meet the rigorous standards of DC, MD, and VA building departments.
Why: Reduces permit risk by aligning design decisions with zoning, code, and reviewer expectations.
04. Submission & Support
We manage the formal permit package submission and act as your technical liaison. Our team handles all jurisdictional comments and resubmissions, providing professional support until your project reaches final approval.
Why: Speeds approvals by managing comments and resubmissions efficiently until final sign-off.
Is Your Project Stuck?
Many of our clients come to us after hitting a wall with local building departments. We specialize in "unsticking" projects through technical precision and jurisdictional expertise in the DMV.
Permit Rejected or Comments Issued? We review jurisdictional feedback and provide the necessary corrections and documentation for successful resubmission.
Construction Started Without a Permit? We help navigate the path to compliance and legalization for projects that began before final approval.
Contractor Needs Architect-Led Plans? We develop code-compliant design solutions and produce permit-ready construction documents for approval.
Zoning Ambiguity? We provide professional analysis for complex basement ADUs, accessory dwellings, and multi-unit conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you work in DC, Maryland, and Virginia?
Do you work in DC, Maryland, and Virginia?
Yes. AGAD is licensed and active in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so the first step is confirming your project address and permit authority during intake.
Do you do tenant fit-outs?
Do you do tenant fit-outs?
Yes. We support commercial tenant fit-outs—typically interior renovations that require layout changes, code compliance, and coordinated MEP drawings as needed for permitting and approvals.
Can you fix a stalled or rejected permit?
Can you fix a stalled or rejected permit?
Often, yes. We’re frequently brought in for permit recovery when a project is stalled due to comments, expired permits, missing coordination, or drawings that don’t match existing conditions. We start by reviewing the current permit status and what has been built or submitted so far.
Do you coordinate structural and MEP engineers?
Do you coordinate structural and MEP engineers?
Yes. When your project requires engineering, AGAD can serve as the prime consultant and coordinate structural and MEP engineers to deliver a cohesive, permit-ready package—so you’re not managing multiple consultants independently.
What do you need from me to begin?
What do you need from me to begin?
Start with the Project Inquiry Form. If the project is a fit, we’ll request any helpful items available, such as:
Property address + jurisdiction
Any existing plans/surveys (if available)
Photos/video of existing conditions (or access for site verification)
Permit history or reviewer comments (if submitted before)
Your target scope, unit count goals (if applicable), and timeline
Ready to Begin?
Step 1: Complete the Intake Form. Provide detailed project data, location, and your specific goals through our secure portal.
Step 2: Data Review. Our team analyzes your submission against current DC, MD, or VA jurisdictional requirements to determine project "fit" and scope.
Step 3: Scheduling. If your project aligns with our core expertise, you will receive an invitation and specific instructions to schedule your initial consultation.
Important Note: Submitting the intake form initiates the review process but does not automatically schedule a consultation. We prioritize projects where our technical expertise in permitting and design provides the highest value.
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