| We have attempted to compile
several pieces of helpful information that better explain the process
of purchasing a house plan from House Plan Central.com. For anything that is not addressed in this section, see our Frequently Asked Questions section or contact us.
What do typical plan sets include?
In general, each house plan set may include the following elements, but the presentation
of these elements may vary depending on the size and complexity of the home and the style of the individual designer:
Cover Sheet
Showing architectural rendering of residence.
Floor Plan(s)
In general, each house plan set includes floor plans at 1/4" scale with a door and
window schedule. Floor plans are typically drawn with 4" exterior walls. However,
details/sections for both 2"x4" and 2"x6" wall framing may also be included as part of the plans.
Foundation Plan and Details
In general, each house plan set includes one foundation type.
Additional foundation types may be available for a given house plan, and these options can be viewed on each plan's detail page.
Foundation types offered: (each type may or may not be available for a
given design)
- Slab: Slab is a type of foundation consisting of a structural concrete slab
poured directly on the grade. No accessible space exists in slab construction. Slab foundations
are popular in areas (i.e. the Southern United States) where there is a relatively high water
table (i.e. the "water table" refers to the depth in the soil at which you find water).
Traditionally, the slab foundation is the least expensive foundation type when building on
a relatively flat lot.
- Crawlspace: Crawlspace is a type of foundation which includes an accessible
space with limited headroom, typically between the soil and the bottom of the first
floor of a home. Crawlspace construction is predominant in areas where there is heavy
clay content in the soil, where the home owner needs additional under-home storage
space, or the homeowner needs access to pipes, wiring, etc. under the floor of the home.
- Basement: Basement is a type of foundation which includes an accessible space
between the soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. It usually has more headroom
than a Crawlspace. Basement foundation construction is predominant in cold climates where
the foundation needs to be situated below the frost level.
Electrical Plan with electrical symbols legend
In general, each house plan set includes an electrical plan which will show the locations of lights, receptacles, switches, etc.
Roof Drainage Plan
In general, each house plan set may include a roof drainage plan which will show the layout of all roof sections/planes.
Exterior Elevations
In general, each house plan set includes all applicable front, sides and rear elevations, as well as any special exterior details.
Interior Elevations
Where applicable, each house plan set includes relevant
interior elevations, including cabinets, cabinet details, columns and walls with unique conditions.
License to Build
Each set of construction plans include ONE license to build.
If you would like to build multiple houses from one set of plans, please contact us to obtain pricing for a multi-use license, if available.
Plans include relevant building sections and details.
Plumbing diagrams and HVAC plans are not available for these homes since each county's code will vary and a licensed plumber and/or electrician must follow the codes.
Note: Plan packages do NOT contain a Materials List. A Materials List can be purchased for many of our plans for an additional fee.
Note: "Review" and "One Set" plan packages do NOT include a license to build and will be stamped "NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION".
These plan packages are for review purposes only. Many times, additional sets (not stamped) may be
purchased, at a reduced price, for up to 30 days
after your original order. After the 30 days if you want additional sets you will need to pay full
price for any sets you wish to order.
Plan Packages
Review Set:
A Review Set plan package includes to-scale floor plans and elevations ONLY. This package allows you to get
a much better idea of the layout and size of the home you've chosen. In addition, this plan package is intended to
help you to decide if the home you have chosen will fit into your budget, and to give you a better idea of
room size. The Review Set plan package does not include the roof plan, the foundation plan, building sections or details.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A CONSTRUCTION SET OF PLANS. A LICENSE TO BUILD WILL NOT BE INCLUDED.
One Set:
A One Set plan package includes a full-set of construction drawings, but DOES NOT include a valid
license to build. This package is intended to help you decide if the home you have chosen will fit
into your budget, and to obtain construction bids. It also allows you to get a much better idea of the layout and size of the house plan you're interested in.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A CONSTRUCTION SET OF PLANS. A LICENSE TO BUILD WILL NOT BE INCLUDED.
Construction Set (3, 4, 5, 8, or 10 Set Package):
A 3, 4, 5, 8, or 10 Set set construction plan package includes a full-set of construction drawings, and includes a
valid single license to build. These packages are intended to build from, will help you decide if
the home you have chosen will fit into your budget, and are useful for obtaining construction
bids. It also allows you to get a much better idea of the layout and size of the house.
Reproducible Set:
A Reproducible Set plan package is similar to the normal construction plan packages, with the
additional feature that it is printed on an erasable paper called Mylar, Sepia, or Vellum.
This type of plan package would be preferable for you if you plan to make minor changes to the
plans. Once your changes have been made, you are authorized to print up to ten (10) copies of the plan depending upon the designer.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: A Reproducible plan package includes a
copyright release allowing you to, legally, make copies of
this copyrighted plan. It does not, however, provide a license
to build the plan more than one time without a "Multi-Use Construction License".
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PDF Plan Package:
A PDF plan package is the most economical package if there are no significant changes to be made to a plan. The PDF package is an electronic version
of the construction documents. The benefit to this option is the ability to take your PDF file to a local printer and make as many copies as are needed.
Another added benefit to the PDF package is the ability to print different sizes. You can print a smaller size for your personal use and medium to
large sized copies for your building inspector and builder.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: A PDF File plan package includes a copyright release
allowing you to make changes to the plan and to, legally, make copies of
this copyrighted plan. It does not, however, provide a license to build the plan more than one time without a
"Multi-Use Construction License".
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CAD File Set:
A CAD File plan package includes an electronic file version of the house plan with full size, quarter-inch scale copy of all sheets of the design. This particular plan package is best utilized for situations in which you have found a plan that you like but it still requires moderate-to-significant modification. With the CAD file option, you have the ability to take the plan to your chosen local design professional (provided that they have computer-based design equipment i.e. AutoCad), discuss your needs/modifications, and the designer can then modify the design much more readily than if trying to do so with a paper-based drawing.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: A CAD File plan package includes a copyright release
allowing you to make changes to the plan and to, legally, make copies of
this copyrighted plan. It does not, however, provide a license to build the plan more than one time without a
"Multi-Use Construction License".
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Special Considerations
Compliance with Codes
Depending on where you live, you may need to modify your plans to comply with local building requirements snow
loads, energy codes, seismic zones, etc. The designer of a given house plan authorizes the use of their
plans expressly conditioned
upon your obligation and agreement to strictly comply with all local building codes, ordinances, regulations,
and requirements including permits and inspections at the time of construction.
Architectural and Engineering Seals
The increased concern over energy costs and safety has prompted many cities and states to require a local architect or engineer to review
and "seal" a plan prior to construction. There may be a fee for this service, and this will be the plan owner's full
responsibility. Please contact your local lumber yard, municipal building department, builders associations or local chapter of the American Institute of Building Design (A.I.B.D.) or the American Institute of
Architects (A.I.A.) to obtain names of qualified persons in your
area.
Minor Changes
In some cases, minor changes and material substitutions can be made by a professional builder without the need for
plan revisions. However, if you will be making major changes, we strongly recommend that you order a "Reproducible Set" or
"CAD File" plan package and seek the services of a local design professional.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to regional variations, local availability of materials, local
codes, methods of installation, and individual preferences, it is
impossible to include much detail on heating, plumbing, and electrical
work on your plans. The ductwork, venting, and other details will vary
depending on the type of heating and cooling system (forced air, hot
water, electric, solar) and the type of energy (gas, oil, electricity,
solar) that you use. These details and specifications may be obtained
from your builder, contractor, and/or local suppliers.
Optional Products and Services
Materials List:
The Materials List product provides a listing of the general quantity and quantity of basic
materials needed to build the primary structure of your home. A materials list is a great value for you and your builder to speed up the bidding and building process, and is very helpful in acquiring a construction estimate. Pricing varies by house plan. Please visit the plan's detail page for availability and pricing.
Mirror-Reverse Floorplan:
A mirror-reversed house plan drawing has been, literally, copied in reverse, resulting in the same image you would see if you held the drawing up to a mirror.
Everything, including the text, is backward in relation to the original. These kinds of drawing are typically used to re-orient an original plan more advantageously on a site, either because the homeowner prefers it that way or because of limitations of the site itself. Please visit the plan's detail page for availability and pricing.
Right-Reading Reverse Floorplan:
A right-reading reversed floorplan is one that is the reverse layout of the plan,
BUT all text, symbols, etc. are not reversed, as in the mirror reverse option above.
This type of plan option is usually available for plans that have been designed in CAD
software. Please visit the plan's detail page for availability and pricing.
Modifications:
Most designers do offer modification services for their plans. Please send us an email with your requested modifications, and we will discuss your needs and provide you with a quote to complete your requested changes. Please visit the plan's detail page for availability.
Number of Plan Sets Required to Build
The number of sets required to build will vary by design, preferences,
type of construction, lot location, and a number of other factors. We
have created a helpful check list to assist you in your home plan
purchase:
___Owner's Set(s)
___Builder (Usually requires 4 sets)
- One as a legal document
- One for inspection
- Two for tradesmen and subcontractors (Examples: Brick Mason, Electrician, Plumber,
H.V.A.C.)
___Building Permit (May require 1 or 2 sets)
___Mortgage Source (Usually requires one set for conventional mortgage)
- Two sets for FHA (Federal Housing Administration) mortgage
- Three sets for VA (Veterans Administration) mortgage
___Subdivision Committee (Usually requires one set)
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___Total Sets Needed
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Plan and Product Pricing
The house plan price schedule varies by designer. For available plan set
packages and prices, etc., please refer to the product detail page of
your selected design.
North Carolina Residents add 7.5% state sales tax to your order.
Shipping Fees
House plan shipping fees are as follows:
| |
1-4 Sets |
5-10 Sets |
11-15 Sets |
| Standard Ground Shipping |
FREE! |
FREE! |
FREE! |
| 2nd Day Shipping |
$50.00 |
$50.00 |
$60.00 |
| Next Day Shipping |
$60.00 |
$60.00 |
$70.00 |
Please note that all shipping terms (i.e. number of days) are in business days (i.e. Monday
- Fridays, barring holidays or other scheduled periods). Plans are not shipped out from House Plan Central.com,
but rather from the individual designer's offices.
Accepted Methods of Payment
| Credit Cards |
All orders will,
typically, be shipped within 48 hours if paying by credit card. We
accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
 |
| Personal Check |
If paying by personal check, your order will not ship until your check has cleared.
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