How This Works

Once we’re in contact with each other, you’ll be asked if you already have an idea of how you want your house to look, and if you have some kind of example (sketch or picture). At this point we’ll take your ideas and start drawing the Floor Plan, which is the most important part of the plans. We will then place your Floor Plan layout on a personalized web page or email the floor plan for you to review in PDF format. We’ll handle the entire project in this way.

At that point we will ask you for a deposit of 1/2 of the projected amount of the plan package. When the plans are completed to the final stages, you’ll be asked for the final amount due. Then, any additions or corrections can be made. Your drawings will then be converted to PDF files for you to carry to a local print shop to be plotted out on 24″ x 36″ paper. They are your plans! Make as many copies as you wish.

Codes: All plans will be drawn to local building codes. There are certain areas that require different specifications which will be added to the plan depending on your location in the United States or Canada. If you are not building in the North American continent, we ask that you have your local building official send us their general criteria for home construction.

Dimensions: All dimensions will be in feet and inches unless metric is required. Please specify.

Custom Electrical Layout: After you approve your Floor Plan you will be asked what custom electrical you wish for your home. This includes any special appliances or fixtures which need receptacles in a certain place. We do not specify or recommend manufactures of appliances or fixtures.

Site Plan: To complete your Site Plan we will need a copy of your deed or plat. One of these should have been with your sale documents that you received when you bought your property. We will also need a copy of the covenants if you are building in a sub-division with restrictions.

[Image] What you get: Once your drawings are complete, they will be converted to 24″ x 36″ PDF file which can be printed out at most Office Supply stores or Reprographic shops. These are your originals and you may make as many copies as you want.

Definitions:

  • Heated Area: The area of the house that is considered the living area. ie Living Room, Bedroom, Kitchen, Den, Bathroom, Foyer, Great Room, Game Room, Pantry, Utility Room, Library, Study, Sewing Room, Office, Finished Basement, Finished Bonus Room in the Attic or above the Garage, etc.
  • Non Heated Area: Attached Garage, Exterior Storage Room, Patio, Deck, Porch, Unfinished Basement, Crawlspace, Gazebo’s, etc.

Notes:

  • Depending on the complexity, the process of drawing these plans usually takes a bit of time depending on our work load to complete “after” you have approved the layout of the Floor Plan & the Exterior Views. This doesn’t mean you’re to be rushed! We aren’t the ones that have to live with the design after it’s built. So if you need to, take as much time as you want to make the decisions about your home. This does not apply to the Full Spec. (40 cent & 50 cent) Plan Packages which may take anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks to complete after the Floor Plan and Elevations are approved.
  • A few municipalities require that your plan be completed from start to finish by a licensed architect in that area. This is very rare though. If you believe this to be the case, please check with your local building inspector for details. We ask that you make this determination first if in doubt. We do not offer a refund after the plans have been started, so please make sure this is not the case before we start. If you are wanting us to draw house plans that are to be built especially in the states of California, New York or New Jersey, you must first determine if your municipality requires a licensed architect or engineer in your area. This is rare but happens in certain areas. Once this is determined and an architect is not required, we will be more than happy to assist you.
  • Bill of Materials are not included in the plans. With competition between Building Supply Companies, it is almost always possible to obtain one of these free from them just for the opportunity to bid your construction package.
  • Although it is uncommon for a municipality to require “special and beyond the standard” slab/foundation/basement design, stress and shear calculations, we do not furnish these. If they are required, you’ll need to hire an engineer to complete them. Plans drawn for Southern California especially, are difficult to produce not only because of problems with earthquakes, but also from over regulation on the part of those municipalities in general.
  • Please do not send us copies of copyrighted homes to draw or redraw. These will be refused.
  • Deposits are non refundable.
  • We have drawn homes in almost every state in the U.S., and we would love to draw yours also…

*Minimum Square Footage Charge is 1000 Sq. Ft.*