Project registration
Your project is registered with TDLR and the filing is handled for you, for a flat fee.
G-001 Registered Accessibility Specialist · Texas
Having a disability is not a matter of “if,” but “when.”
Plan reviews, inspections and transition plans that help the places people use every day work for everyone who uses them, and, on consulting projects, an architect’s eye for fixing what doesn’t.
- Licensed since 2010
- TDLR Project Registration, Plan Review & Inspection
- TAS · ADA · UFAS
A-101 Services
From the first sketch to the final walkthrough
Every accessibility question, basic or detailed, gets an answer under whichever codes apply, on projects of any size and at any phase of design or construction.
Plan review
Review of your construction documents against the Texas Accessibility Standards, as required by TDLR.
Inspections
On-site inspections across Texas. The report lists every item that doesn’t comply. No gray areas: an item either passes or it doesn’t.
Assessments & transition plans
Surveys of existing buildings, parks, campuses and cities, with a prioritized plan to remove barriers over time.
Design consulting
Outside of TDLR work, the goal goes beyond listing deficiencies: practical solutions that respect your budget and your design constraints.
Litigation support
Accessibility consulting for attorneys and their clients in civil cases, from site reviews to code research.
Accessibility is more than wheelchairs. Every kind of disability a person may have is part of the plan.
A-201 Project Registration and Other Forms
Three things get your project moving
Most Texas projects over $50,000 must be registered with TDLR before construction. Here’s everything a review needs. All forms can be filled out and signed online.
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Fees
A flat $200 registration fee, plus plan review and inspection fees based on construction cost. Pay review and inspection together and a discount applies.
Any invoice, by BAC number. A flat $15 online payment fee applies.
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Forms
Five forms. Not every form applies to every project, and any additional form is requested if and when it’s needed.
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Drawings
A full set of construction documents: architectural, civil, structural, MEP, landscape and specs. The more complete the set, the more useful the review.
RAS forms
Have your BAC and TABS numbers? Forms 02–05 can come pre-filled.
- Form 01 Project Registration FormThe most important one. No signature needed, so anyone can fill it out.
- Form 02 Proof of Submission FormSigned by the lead design professional, usually the architect.
- Form 03 Designated Agent FormSigned by the owner to designate an agent who works directly with the RAS.
- Form 04 Request for Inspection FormSigned by the owner or agent, ideally once construction is complete or nearly complete.
- Form 05 Limited Liability Ownership FormOnly when the owner is an LLC, LLP or limited partnership. Signed by the managing member, partner or authorized representative.
A-301 Projects
From El Paso to Corpus Christi, and from Texas to Michigan
Plan reviews and inspections throughout Texas, plus assessments and transition plans for cities, campuses and public venues across the country.
Transition plans
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
- El Paso Independent School DistrictEl Paso, TX
- City of Ann ArborMichigan
- City of EvanstonIllinois
- Montgomery CountyOhio
Assessments, design & consulting
- El Paso County Coliseum, assessmentEl Paso, TX
- Ascarate Park, assessmentEl Paso, TX
- Wendy’s franchise locations, assessmentEl Paso, TX · Las Cruces, NM
- Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, UFAS designEl Paso, TX
- Accessibility improvements, various buildingsFort Bliss, TX
- Litigation support, civil casesEl Paso, TX
A-401 About
Not just what’s wrong, but how to fix it.
On consulting projects, that is. On TDLR projects the RAS must remain an independent third party and can’t be part of the design team, so solutions come through separate consulting and transition plan work.
Brunjes Accessibility Consulting is a one-person practice, by design: the person who answers your call is the licensed RAS who reviews your plans and inspects your building. The practice takes pride not only in what it does, but in how it does it. Licensed since 2010, it has applied that knowledge to architectural design, plan review, inspections, and litigation support.
With a background in architecture, the work looks past the checklist. The goal is the greatest possible accessibility for the people who will actually use a space, across every kind of disability, while understanding the owner’s budget and the design constraints of the project.
A-501 Help & FAQ
First time hiring a RAS?
You probably have questions. Here are the most common ones. If yours isn’t here, just ask.
Why should I worry about accessibility?
An estimated 1 in 4 adults in the United States has some type of disability. The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having one.
By that definition, growing older brings disabilities with it. Having a disability is not a matter of “if,” but “when.”
RAS, TDLR, TAS… what do these mean?
- TDLR is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the state agency with authority over the Architectural Barriers Act.
- TAS is the Texas Accessibility Standards, the design rules a project must follow to be deemed compliant.
- A RAS (Registered Accessibility Specialist) is a private third party registered with TDLR to perform plan reviews and inspections on behalf of the state.
For the full (long and boring) version, see the Architectural Barriers Law, the Administrative Rules, and the Texas Accessibility Standards.
Why do I need to register my project?
Texas passed a law, effective June 1, 1994, to eliminate architectural barriers and give people with disabilities better access to buildings and facilities. Registration is how the state makes sure projects are reviewed and inspected.
Does my project need to be registered?
All private and public projects with a construction cost over $50,000 must be registered with TDLR, except federal and federally funded projects. There are other exceptions too; a quick call or email will sort out whether one applies.
So projects under $50,000 don’t need to comply?
Not at all. With a few exceptions, every project must comply with TAS regardless of cost. Projects under $50,000 simply don’t need to be registered.
How do I get started?
You need three things: fees, forms, and drawings.
- Fees. A flat $200 registration fee, plus a plan review fee and an inspection fee based on construction cost. A discount applies when plan review and inspection are paid together, and a variety of payment methods are accepted, including (a flat $15 online payment fee applies).
- Forms. The Project Registration Form (or register it yourself with TDLR), plus, if applicable, the Proof of Submission Form, the Designated Agent Form (if the owner names an agent) and the Limited Liability Ownership Form (if the owner is an LLC, LLP or limited partnership). Later forms like the Request for Inspection, Proof of Inspection, Inspection Response or Variance Application come up only when needed, with guidance along the way.
- Drawings. A complete set of construction documents for every trade. The more complete the set, the more thorough the plan review.
Why does the owner need to designate an agent?
A RAS is required to send all correspondence to the property owner, who is ultimately liable for the project. Many owners can’t or don’t want to handle every detail, so they can designate an agent (usually the architect, but it may be an engineer, contractor, tenant or property manager) to work directly with the RAS and TDLR.
This is a lot. Can I just talk to someone?
Of course. Email olaf@brunjes.us, call or text 915-209-2580, or book a time.
A-601 Contact
Let’s talk about your project
- Call or text915-209-2580
- Emailolaf@brunjes.us
- Office500 W Overland Ave., Suite 250-R
El Paso, Texas 79901 - ElsewhereLinkedIn · Facebook
Request an appointment
Pick a time that works for you; a confirmation follows by email. Weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM, Mountain Time (El Paso).