To get a Toronto building permit, do you need a building consultant/draftsman/engineer to specify materials?

Want to build an addition. Some existing structure will be altered. Have to do everything el-cheapo and except for framing and roofing everything will be DIY. Already consulted building dept. web site, then called, and of course I got conflicting and/or ambiguous and/or contradictory and/or uninformed opinions--typical bureaucracy--so I have two choices: shell out the cash for a high-end designer/engineer so the b.d. can say I didn't need to, or waste more time on my own well-researched design only to have them throw the application back at me. They don't really want you to know that MAYBE you don't need one, but insist all drawings are marked with designer and credentials which is simply me and none, but that probably won't fly.

Public Comments

1. Best to call the building department and ask what they want.
2. I'm not positive if this is true in Toronto, but here in Ottawa you are permitted to be your own designer, and calling in "professionals" is not mandatory - HOWEVER, the plans that you submit to the city should be as detailed as possible (drawings, specs, code referances, etc.), while at the same time being easy to understand. Essentially you want to display that the project is well within your competancy level, and that calling in outside help is unnecessary. That being said, if you are going to be altering load bearing components, most municipalities will deny your application unless you get that third party approval, or display that you have training/experiance in that field. This is probably why you are getting mixed messages from the city (the same thing happens here - one question gets twelve answers). Good luck!