Early architectural plans establish design intent — layout, look, general dimensions. Construction documents are the fully detailed, sealed, code-referenced drawing set a building department actually reviews and a contractor builds from; getting from one to the other is most of the design phase's work.

It depends on scope. Layout changes, additions, and anything affecting how spaces function typically call for architectural design; if the project is purely structural (like reinforcing an existing wall) with no layout change, an engineer alone may be sufficient — many projects need both.

It varies significantly with project size and how many revisions the client requests, but moving through schematic design, design development, and a full construction document set is rarely a quick process — rushing it tends to show up later as plan review corrections.

Not typically in the sense of one person holding both licenses, but a general contractor commonly coordinates directly with an independent licensed architect on the client's behalf, managing the relationship so design and construction stay aligned.

Both are options, and which makes more sense depends on how far outside the envelope the design falls and how much the client wants to preserve the original concept versus adjust it to fit as-of-right zoning.

No — architects design layout and envelope, but sealed structural calculations for anything touching load-bearing elements come from a licensed structural engineer, working from the architect's base drawings.

A construction document set includes fully dimensioned floor plans, elevations, sections, details, life safety and occupancy information where applicable, energy code compliance documentation, and a product approval schedule — concept drawings show design intent without that level of buildable, reviewable detail.

Small, structurally simple additions sometimes move forward with engineering alone, but anything involving layout decisions, exterior design changes, or zoning considerations generally benefits from architectural involvement even at a small scale.