How Long Does It Take to Get a Title 24 Report?
Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems
How Long Does It Take to Get a Title 24 Report depends on the project itself and how complete the information is when the energy analysis begins.
There is no single turnaround time that accurately applies to every:
- New home
- ADU
- Garage conversion
- Room addition
- Residential remodel
- Multifamily project
- Commercial building
- Tenant improvement
- HVAC project
- Commercial lighting project
A straightforward project with coordinated drawings and complete specifications can generally move through the energy-analysis process more efficiently than a project with missing information, unresolved design decisions, conflicting drawings, or major revisions.
The factors that can affect timing include:
- Project type
- Building size
- Project complexity
- Whether the plans are complete
- Whether the project scope is clearly defined
- Whether window specifications are available
- Whether insulation assemblies are identified
- Whether HVAC equipment has been selected
- Whether duct locations are known
- Whether ventilation information is complete
- Whether water-heating equipment has been selected
- Whether commercial lighting information is complete
- Whether the report requires revisions
- Whether building-department corrections already exist
Alternative Energy Systems brings more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience to residential, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial projects.
To discuss the schedule for a specific project, call (626) 365-1518 and provide the current plans and available project information.
There Is No Universal Title 24 Report Turnaround
A Title 24 report is not a generic document generated from only an address and square footage.
The consultant may need to review:
- Floor plans
- Exterior elevations
- Building sections
- Roof plans
- Window schedules
- Insulation details
- Mechanical information
- Water-heating information
- Lighting plans
- Other project-specific specifications
The amount of review required varies significantly.
A small project with complete drawings may involve fewer unresolved issues than a large custom home, multifamily building, mixed-use development, restaurant improvement, or commercial project involving several design disciplines.
For that reason, a responsible turnaround estimate should be based on the actual project rather than a generic promise.
What Usually Determines How Long the Report Takes?
The most important factor is not simply the square footage.
Timing is usually influenced by the combination of:
- Scope
- Complexity
- Available documentation
- Design coordination
- Required calculations
- Required revisions
A smaller project can still take longer when basic information is unresolved.
A larger project can sometimes move efficiently when the plans and specifications are well coordinated.
Complete Plans Usually Help the Report Move Faster
The energy analysis depends on information contained in the construction documents.
A complete plan set can make it easier to identify:
- Conditioned floor area
- Building orientation
- Wall assemblies
- Roof assemblies
- Ceiling assemblies
- Floor assemblies
- Windows
- Exterior doors
- Mechanical systems
- Other energy-related features
When those items are clearly shown, fewer follow-up questions may be necessary.
When the plans contain conflicting or missing information, the calculations may need to pause until the project team clarifies the design.
Missing Window Information Can Slow the Process
Windows are a common source of incomplete energy information.
The report may need details involving:
- Window quantity
- Window size
- Orientation
- U-factor
- Solar heat gain coefficient
- Glazed exterior doors
If the drawings show windows but the required performance information has not been selected, additional coordination may be necessary.
The project does not always need final manufacturer information at the earliest review stage, but enough information must eventually be available to prepare accurate final compliance documentation.
Missing Insulation Details Can Delay Final Calculations
The energy analysis may depend on insulation associated with:
- Exterior walls
- Roofs
- Ceilings
- Attics
- Floors
- Other thermal-envelope assemblies
If the architectural sections do not identify the proposed assemblies, AES may need clarification before the calculations can be finalized.
A wall note on one sheet should also be consistent with the corresponding building section and energy documentation.
Undecided HVAC Equipment Can Affect Turnaround
Mechanical systems are another important timing factor.
The report may need information involving:
- System type
- Heating efficiency
- Cooling efficiency
- Heat-pump information
- Number of systems
- Duct location
- Ventilation
If the architect shows one system while the contractor proposes another, additional review can be necessary.
Selecting or confirming the mechanical approach earlier can help reduce later revisions.
Water-Heating Information Can Also Affect the Schedule
Water heating can be part of the energy analysis.
Depending on the project, AES may need to know:
- Equipment type
- Energy source
- Efficiency
- Heat-pump configuration
- Central or individual system configuration
If the water-heating design remains undecided, final compliance documentation may need to wait for clarification.
Commercial Lighting Information Can Be a Major Timing Factor
Commercial and nonresidential projects can require detailed lighting information.
That may include:
- Fixture types
- Fixture quantities
- Fixture wattage
- Space use
- Lighting controls
- Occupancy controls
- Automatic shutoff controls
- Daylighting controls
- Exterior lighting
An incomplete lighting schedule can make it difficult to finalize commercial compliance documentation.
Early coordination between the architect, electrical designer, lighting designer, and energy consultant can help the process move more efficiently.
Project Complexity Matters More Than a Simple Page Count
Two projects can have the same floor area and very different Title 24 workloads.
Complexity can increase when a project includes:
- Large amounts of glazing
- Several roof conditions
- Multiple wall assemblies
- Several HVAC systems
- Mixed conditioned and unconditioned areas
- Existing and new construction
- Several commercial occupancy types
- Complex lighting systems
- Multiple plan revisions
The energy consultant needs to understand how these features interact before finalizing the report.
New Construction Can Take a Different Amount of Time Than an Alteration
A newly constructed building may require review of the complete energy-related design.
An alteration may involve a narrower scope.
For example, a full new residential project can involve:
- Complete envelope modeling
- Windows
- Roof assemblies
- Mechanical systems
- Ventilation
- Water heating
- Other applicable measures
A more limited alteration may use project-specific or prescriptive documentation focused only on the systems being changed.
The turnaround therefore depends on the compliance path as well as the building itself.
How Long Does an ADU Title 24 Report Take?
ADU timing depends on whether the project is:
- A new detached ADU
- An attached ADU
- A garage conversion
- A conversion of other existing space
A detached ADU may require analysis of a complete new residential building.
A garage conversion may require careful review of existing and proposed construction.
The report can move more efficiently when the plans clearly identify:
- Existing conditions
- New conditioned space
- Wall assemblies
- Roof assemblies
- Windows
- HVAC
- Water heating
For more information, review ADU Title 24.
How Long Does a Title 24 Report Take for an Addition?
An addition can range from a small expansion to a major second-story project.
Timing depends on factors such as:
- Amount of new conditioned space
- Number of new windows
- Envelope complexity
- HVAC changes
- Duct extensions
- Relationship between new and existing construction
The applicable compliance method also matters.
Some additions may follow a prescriptive path, while others may use performance calculations.
How Long Does a Title 24 Report Take for a Garage Conversion?
Garage conversions can require careful review because an existing unconditioned space is becoming conditioned living area.
AES may need to review:
- Existing walls
- New insulation
- Floor conditions
- Ceiling or roof conditions
- New windows
- HVAC
- Ventilation
Clearly showing the existing and proposed conditions can reduce questions during the energy-analysis process.
How Long Does a Commercial Title 24 Report Take?
Commercial timing can vary considerably.
The analysis may require information from several design disciplines, including:
- Architectural
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Lighting
- Plumbing or water-heating design
A commercial report can move more efficiently when these documents are coordinated.
Projects with conflicting information across architectural, mechanical, and electrical plans may require additional review.
Commercial projects can include:
- Office tenant improvements
- Retail build-outs
- Restaurants
- Warehouses
- Mixed-use projects
- Commercial HVAC alterations
- Lighting projects
- New nonresidential construction
For related services, review Title 24 compliance services and Title 24 energy analysis.
How Long Does a Multifamily Title 24 Report Take?
Multifamily projects can be more involved because they may include:
- Multiple dwelling units
- Common areas
- Central systems
- Individual systems
- Shared water heating
- Common-area lighting
- Several envelope conditions
The more complete and coordinated the architectural and engineering information is, the easier it is to move through the energy review efficiently.
Does the Compliance Method Affect How Long the Report Takes?
Yes.
Title 24 compliance can involve:
- Prescriptive compliance
- Performance compliance
A prescriptive project follows applicable component and system requirements.
A performance project involves energy modeling and evaluation of how multiple building features interact.
The time required depends on the actual project and whether adjustments are needed before compliance is achieved.
What Happens if the First Energy Analysis Does Not Meet the Required Performance?
A project may need design adjustments before the final compliance package can be completed.
Potential areas for review can include:
- Windows
- Window area
- Window performance
- Insulation
- Roof characteristics
- HVAC efficiency
- Other applicable energy features
That process can add time because the project team may need to decide which design changes are acceptable.
The consultant should not simply make major design decisions without coordination with the client and design team.
Design Questions Can Pause the Report
Sometimes the calculation work itself is not what delays the project.
The report may be waiting for a decision.
Examples include:
- Which window will be used?
- Which HVAC system will be installed?
- What insulation assembly is being proposed?
- Has the conditioned floor area changed?
- Is a room conditioned or unconditioned?
- Has the roof assembly changed?
- Which commercial lighting fixtures will be installed?
The faster these questions are resolved, the sooner the energy documentation can move toward completion.
Can a Title 24 Report Be Started Before the Plans Are Complete?
Preliminary review can often begin before every detail is finalized.
AES can review available drawings and identify missing information.
However, final compliance documentation requires enough project information to accurately represent the proposed construction.
Starting earlier can still be helpful because it gives the design team time to resolve:
- Missing window specifications
- Unclear insulation details
- HVAC selections
- Duct conditions
- Water-heating decisions
- Commercial lighting questions
Waiting until the entire permit set is considered finished can leave less time to make necessary energy-related adjustments.
When Does the Title 24 Turnaround Clock Really Start?
The useful starting point is when enough information has been provided for the project to be meaningfully reviewed.
Sending only an address and an incomplete floor plan may allow an initial conversation, but it may not provide enough information to finalize calculations.
A more complete starting package can include:
- Current floor plans
- Elevations
- Sections
- Roof plans
- Window information
- Insulation details
- Mechanical information
- Water-heating information
- Commercial lighting information when applicable
Before sending files, review what AES will need from you.
Do Incomplete Plans Automatically Stop the Process?
Not always.
AES may be able to begin reviewing the available project and identify what is missing.
The process becomes slower when the missing information is necessary to complete the energy analysis.
For example, the calculations may be unable to proceed accurately if the project does not establish:
- Actual conditioned floor area
- Window sizes
- Building envelope
- HVAC system
The difference is between information that can be clarified later and information necessary to perform the actual analysis.
Does Revision Time Count as Part of the Title 24 Process?
Yes, when the project changes after the initial analysis.
However, revision time depends on the change.
Changing one product specification can be very different from:
- Increasing conditioned floor area
- Changing multiple windows
- Redesigning the roof
- Changing the HVAC system
- Reconfiguring commercial lighting
- Responding to multiple building-department comments
Substantial design changes can require portions of the analysis to be recalculated.
What Changes Commonly Cause a Report Revision?
A Title 24 report may need review when the project changes:
- Floor area
- Room configuration
- Windows
- Exterior doors
- Insulation
- Roofing
- HVAC equipment
- Duct layout
- Ventilation
- Water heating
- Commercial lighting
- Lighting controls
Sending revised plans as soon as those changes occur can help prevent the report from becoming increasingly disconnected from the design.
Does a Building Department Correction Extend the Process?
It can.
If the building department requests changes involving the energy documentation, AES may need to review:
- The complete correction notice
- The latest plans
- The previously submitted report
- Updated mechanical information
- Updated electrical or lighting information
- Changed product specifications
The time required depends on what the reviewer requested.
A clarification can be very different from a correction requiring significant recalculation.
Sending the Entire Correction Notice Can Save Time
Sending only one sentence from a plan-check correction can create additional questions.
The complete correction notice provides context.
It helps identify whether the issue involves:
- The energy calculations
- The architectural plans
- The mechanical drawings
- Missing forms
- Conflicting specifications
- Another design discipline
Providing the entire comment set can reduce unnecessary back-and-forth.
Is Building Department Review Included in the Title 24 Report Turnaround?
No.
These are separate timelines.
Title 24 report preparation involves the energy consultant reviewing the project, completing the applicable calculations, generating the forms, and coordinating the energy measures with the plans.
Building-department plan review begins after the permit package is submitted to the applicable jurisdiction.
The building department controls its own:
- Intake process
- Plan-review schedule
- Correction cycle
- Resubmittal review
- Permit approval process
AES cannot guarantee how quickly a city or county will review a permit application.
Does Completing the Title 24 Report Mean the Permit Is Approved?
No.
A completed report means the applicable energy-compliance documentation has been prepared within the agreed project scope.
The building department may still review:
- Architectural requirements
- Structural engineering
- Mechanical requirements
- Electrical requirements
- Plumbing requirements
- CALGreen
- Fire and life-safety requirements
- Other applicable codes
A Title 24 report supports the permit process but does not control the complete permit timeline.
Does HERS or Field Verification Affect How Long It Takes to Get the Report?
Field verification is generally a separate stage from preparation of the energy report.
Some residential projects may include measures that require separate testing or verification during construction.
The report can identify applicable verification requirements.
However, the initial Title 24 report does not have to wait for construction-phase field testing to occur.
The project team should still understand those requirements in advance so they can be scheduled later.
Does Acceptance Testing Affect Commercial Report Preparation?
Commercial acceptance testing is also separate from preparation of the initial energy calculations.
Certain nonresidential systems may require testing after installation.
That can include applicable:
- Lighting controls
- Mechanical systems
- Other regulated systems
The original report may identify applicable requirements, but construction-phase testing occurs later.
How Can I Help Get My Title 24 Report Completed More Efficiently?
The most useful step is to provide accurate, current, coordinated information at the beginning.
Helpful practices include:
- Send the latest plan set rather than an outdated version
- Clearly identify existing and proposed work
- Include elevations and sections
- Provide window schedules
- Provide available window-performance information
- Identify insulation assemblies
- Provide HVAC specifications
- Identify duct locations
- Provide water-heating information
- Provide commercial lighting schedules when applicable
- Send complete building-department corrections
- Notify AES promptly when the design changes
The goal is to reduce the amount of time spent discovering that different project documents describe different buildings.
Should I Wait Until the Last Minute to Order the Report?
It is usually more practical to begin the energy review before permit submission.
Starting earlier gives the project team time to respond if AES identifies:
- Missing information
- Conflicting information
- A design condition affecting compliance
- A product specification that needs clarification
- An energy measure that should appear on the plans
Waiting until immediately before submission can turn ordinary coordination questions into schedule problems.
Can I Ask for the Report Before the Architect Finishes Everything?
Yes, preliminary review can begin with available project information.
This can be useful when the goal is to identify what still needs to be completed.
However, a final report should be based on a sufficiently developed design.
Otherwise, the report may need repeated revisions as the plans change.
How Do I Know Whether My Plans Are Ready?
The plans are generally in a stronger position for energy review when they clearly identify:
- The project scope
- Existing and proposed construction
- Conditioned floor area
- Building geometry
- Windows and doors
- Envelope assemblies
- HVAC design
- Water heating
- Commercial lighting when applicable
AES can still review incomplete plans and explain what additional information is needed.
Can AES Give Me a Project-Specific Timing Estimate?
The most useful timing discussion happens after AES understands the project.
Provide:
- The project type
- The current plans
- Available specifications
- Any existing Title 24 documentation
- Any building-department corrections
- Information about major design changes
AES can then discuss the project schedule based on the actual scope rather than giving a generic estimate that may not apply.
What Should I Send First?
A strong starting package can include:
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Sections
- Roof plans
- Window schedules
- Insulation information
- HVAC specifications
- Water-heating information
- Commercial lighting information when applicable
- Correction comments when the project has already been reviewed
Not every project needs every item.
AES can identify missing information after reviewing what is available.
What Happens After I Send the Plans?
The report process generally follows several stages.
1. Project Scope Review
AES identifies whether the work involves new construction, an ADU, an addition, a remodel, a multifamily project, a commercial tenant improvement, or another scope.
2. Plan Review
The available drawings are reviewed for energy-related project information.
3. Missing Information Is Identified
AES may request clarification when important specifications or construction details are absent.
4. Energy Calculations Are Completed
The project is evaluated using the applicable compliance method.
5. Compliance Forms Are Prepared
The appropriate documentation is generated from the completed analysis.
6. The Report Is Coordinated With the Plans
Energy-related requirements should agree with the construction documents before permit submission.
Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?
Alternative Energy Systems provides professional Title 24 calculations, energy reports, revisions, and plan-check support throughout California.
AES brings more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience to:
- New residential construction
- ADUs
- Garage conversions
- Additions
- Residential remodels
- Multifamily projects
- Mixed-use buildings
- Commercial construction
- Office tenant improvements
- Retail projects
- Restaurant projects
- Warehouse alterations
- HVAC projects
- Commercial lighting projects
- Energy-related plan-check corrections
AES bases the report on the actual project documentation and works to identify missing or conflicting information before it creates unnecessary problems later in the permit process.
Learn more through the About Us page or review company background on the clients page.
Need to Know How Long Your Title 24 Report Will Take?
Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems
The best answer to How Long Does It Take to Get a Title 24 Report depends on the actual project.
A straightforward project with complete, coordinated drawings can generally move more efficiently than one involving:
- Missing specifications
- Conflicting plans
- Unresolved window information
- Undecided HVAC equipment
- Complex building geometry
- Multiple design disciplines
- Significant revisions
- Building-department corrections
Alternative Energy Systems does not treat every project as though it has the same fixed turnaround.
Call (626) 365-1518 and provide the current plans so AES can review the scope and discuss the schedule for your specific project.
You may also begin through the contact page.
When service and payment have already been arranged, payment can be completed through the AES payment page.
Frequently Asked Questions: How Long Does It Take to Get a Title 24 Report?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Title 24 Report?
There is no universal fixed turnaround. Timing depends on project type, size, complexity, completeness of the plans, available specifications, unresolved design questions, and whether revisions are required.
Can AES give me an exact turnaround before reviewing the plans?
A meaningful schedule discussion requires understanding the project scope and available documentation first.
Do complete plans make the report faster?
Complete and coordinated plans can help the process move more efficiently because fewer project details need to be clarified.
Can missing window information cause delays?
Yes. Window quantity, size, performance, and orientation can be important parts of the energy analysis.
Can missing HVAC information delay the report?
Yes. The analysis may require system type, equipment efficiency, duct information, and other mechanical details.
Can missing insulation information delay the report?
Yes. Wall, roof, ceiling, floor, and other envelope assemblies may need to be identified before the final analysis can be completed.
Does commercial lighting information affect turnaround?
Yes. Commercial projects may require fixture schedules, lighting power information, control details, and other electrical information.
Does project size determine turnaround?
Size is one factor, but complexity and completeness of the documentation can be equally or more important.
Can a small project take longer than a larger project?
It can if the smaller project has missing, conflicting, or unresolved information while the larger project has complete and coordinated documents.
Does an ADU take the same amount of time as a new house?
Not necessarily. ADU timing depends on whether the project is detached, attached, converted from a garage, or involves existing construction.
Do additions all take the same amount of time?
No. An addition can range from a limited expansion to a complex second-story project and may use different compliance methods.
Do garage conversions take longer because the building already exists?
Not automatically, but existing conditions and the distinction between existing and proposed construction can require additional review.
Do commercial projects take longer?
Commercial projects can involve more design disciplines and system information, but timing depends on the actual project and how complete the documents are.
Does performance modeling take different work than prescriptive compliance?
Yes. Performance compliance involves energy modeling, while prescriptive compliance follows applicable component and system requirements.
What if the first calculation does not comply?
The project may require design adjustments or additional coordination before final compliance documentation can be completed.
Can I start the report before my plans are finished?
Preliminary review can begin with available plans, but the final report requires enough information to accurately represent the proposed design.
When does the report process begin?
The project can be meaningfully reviewed once AES receives enough information to understand the scope and energy-related design.
Can design changes extend the turnaround?
Yes. Changes to floor area, windows, insulation, roofing, HVAC, water heating, lighting, or other analyzed features can require revised calculations.
How long do revisions take?
Revision timing depends on the extent of the change. A minor specification change is different from a major redesign or multiple plan-check corrections.
Do building-department corrections affect timing?
They can. AES may need to review the complete correction notice and revised plans before determining what changes are required.
Is building-department plan review included in the report turnaround?
No. Report preparation and building-department plan review are separate timelines.
Can AES guarantee how quickly the city will approve my permit?
No. The local enforcement agency controls its own plan-review, correction, resubmittal, and permit-approval schedule.
Does getting the report mean my permit is approved?
No. A Title 24 report supports the energy portion of the permit package but does not guarantee approval of the complete project.
Does HERS testing delay the initial report?
Field verification is generally a separate construction-stage process. The report can identify applicable verification requirements before the field testing occurs.
Can I speed up the process?
Providing current, complete, coordinated plans and responding promptly to questions can help reduce delays caused by missing or conflicting information.
What should I send first?
Current floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plans, window information, insulation details, HVAC specifications, water-heating information, commercial lighting information when applicable, and existing correction comments are useful starting documents.
How can I get a timing estimate for my project?
Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518 and provide the current project plans and available specifications for review.
