Then decide if you want to go with conventional lumber for your floor and roof system or engineered prefabricated trusses. Conventional floor and roof systems may need engineering if required by your local building department. If choosing engineered trusses, you'll need to drop off one set of plans to your local truss plant or building materials center where they will furnish truss layouts and truss details. Generally, they provide this service as part of the truss price package.

You MUST get the specific requirements from your local building department. What we at BuildingPlans.com provide are just what's called the "design" and "working drawings". There are no engineer or architectural stamps/sign-off's whatsoever. Engineering is not provided with any plans and should be provided by your own hired, local Engineer.

The best place to start looking for an engineer or architect would be your local phone directory since they would need to be familiar with YOUR local building codes.

Wind load, snow load and earthquake engineering would be YOUR engineer or architects responsibility.

5.  How many sets of plans will I need to build my new home?                   Back to Top
Answer:
We recommend that when purchasing your sets you always keep a full set for your records. Depending on your area, you will need a few sets for your builders / subcontractors, mortgage or lending institution, building department etc. The safest way to go is a 5 set minimum since blueprints can not be copied and are protected under copyright laws.

6.  Can I order more sets once I've placed my original order?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Yes, individual sets are available for your original purchase of at least four sets for $30.00 to $50.00 per set.

7.  Can you help me find a particular type of house plan?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Sure, If you don't see what you want on our website just give us a call toll free at 1-800-250-4505 and one of our sales reps will be glad to help you.

8.  What types of foundations are available for my plan?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Many times changing a foundation type is a very simple matter and can be done during construction. Most of our plans are drawn with a standard slab but can be modified for basements, crawl space, etc. Please write down the plan you're interested in and give us a call toll free at 1-800-250-4505 with any questions. You will find the type of foundation that is available for the plan you have chosen in our general specifications chart on the price page of that plan.

9. : Can I order study set plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
This answer depends on which designers plan you choose. Some require that you order at least one full set of working drawings and that set is usually marked in red saying: "Study Set". Others will ship the basic floor and elevation information as their study set. Please give us a call if the plan you selected doesn't make it clear.

10.  Do you have duplex and multi-family house plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Yes, you can also give us a call if you can't find the one you wanted.

11.  How do I order the houseplan I like?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Once you have chosen a plan that you want to order just follow the simple instructions on the price and general specifications page of that plan. You must choose a plan set and then a plan foundation type. You can find what foundations are available for the plan in the light blue area of that page under "General Specifications". It will tell you there under "Foundation Type". Then proceed to checkout. If you do not want any of the other options that are offered then click on add to cart and continue with the information needed. If you want you can also place your order over the phone by calling 800-250-4505. Please have the plan number available.

12.  Do you have alternate elevations of the plan I like?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most of the plans we offer have more than one elevation drawn for them. Please give us a call if you'd like to check availability.

13.  Can I see rear/side elevations or more artwork/pictures?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Usually. Most of our designers have rear and side elevations available. If you don't see it, give us a call and we will see if we can get copies and send them to you by fax or e-mail.

14.  Tell me about the "living" square footage and room size info?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Generally, square footage is calculated as the finished (dry-walled, painted, carpeted), under heat and air square footage. It would include footage from outside framed wall to outside framed wall (not including brick, siding, stucco etc.) and anywhere the floor joists would project, such as in a cantilevered (overhanging) bay window. Other things that are typically not included in a home's square footage are garages, front, back or side porches, courtyards, patio, etc. Basements are also not included in the square footage unless they are finished. All room sizes shown on floor plans are rounded off measurements. Please call to request exact room sizes if there are certain space requirements.

15.  If I decide I don't like the plans can they be returned?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Unfortunately, no. Since it is possible to make illegal copies of the plans you received, we do not allow any refunds. You need to make sure of your order before placing it. It is also VERY important that you check the dimensions of your lot or land before selecting a house plan.

16.  Are your house & garage plans available on CAD?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most of our plans are available for purchase on disk or CD ROM, however some of our earlier plans are not available in this format. Please call for availability.

17.  What codes do your plans comply with?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Some plans are designed to specifications published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) or the Building officials and Code Administrators (BOCA). Most of our plans are designed to meet or exceed the national building standards. Because of the great differences in geography and climate throughout the US and Canada, each state, country, county and municipality has its own building codes, zone requirements, ordinances and building regulations. Your plans may need to comply with the local requirements regarding snow loads, energy codes, wind loads, soil and seismic conditions and a wide range of other matters. Please check with your local building authorities before making your purchase.

18.  How many times can I build the plan I purchase?                   Back to Top
Answer:
As a registered purchaser of a plan, you are licensed to build only one structure from the plans, regardless of the number of plan sets you purchased. If you intend to build a plan more than once, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-250-4505 for more information.

19.  What is mirror reverse verses true reverse?                   Back to Top
Answer:
A mirror reverse is exactly like looking at a set of plans in a mirror. All of the text is backwards. In the days before we used computers to draw our plan, this was the only way to get plans that were the opposite of the way they were drawn. With computers, however, most programs allow us to "flip" the plan but keep the text forward reading. So, if you've picked out a plan but need to have it reversed, make sure the right reading "true reverse" is available for that plan. If this option is available it will be shown on the plan specifications page.

20.  How can I check my order status?                   Back to Top
Answer:
You will receive an email order confirmation immediately after placing your order. You will receive an email shipping confirmation along with a tracking number when your order is shipped. You may then track your order through our site by clicking on the link at the top of our site called "order status". Email us with any order status questions at sales@AmazingPlans.com or call us at 1-800-250-4505, M-F 8-6 Sat 10-5 est.

21.  How long does it take to ship a set of house plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most plans are shipped by the next working day after placing your order. If any plan changes were requested you will need to check with our customer service department for an estimated shipping time.

22.  What is a reproducible vellum?                   Back to Top
Answer:
A translucent paper that can be used to print erasible sepias/mylars which allows the builder/engineer to make modification and revisions and then reproduce them for your sub-contractors. If you plan to make modifications or revisions to the plans, most designers offer this set which comes with a Copyright Release Form. The Copyright Release Form gives you the permission needed to make your revisions / modifications and for copies to be made.

23.  Can we make copies of a plan when we purchase it?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Generally, no. All of the plans offered on BuildingPlans.com are protected under copyright laws and can not be copied. If extra copies are needed you must order them through our website or customer service department. The only exception is if you purchased a CAD set or originals.

24.  Do you offer custom design work?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most designers do, please give us a call to see if available and we will put you in touch with one of our designers who can work with you on pricing and designing your new home.

25.  Do your plans come with a material list?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Some of our plans do have an optional materials list available for purchase. Please call to check availability.

26.  What are home building codes?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Building codes are safety regulations pertaining to how a building (commercial or residential) should be built. They are intended to protect both builders and home buyers from building an unsafe structure. They deal with everything from nail spacing to wheel chair accessibility. Many restrictions, regulations and inspections are regionally required due to soil conditions, weather conditions, etc. There are three major nationally-recognized model building codes that are all very similar in content in the United States: UBC (Uniform Building Code); BOCA (Building Officials & Code Administrators); and CABO (Council of American Building Officials). Every state, county and local municipality has adopted some form of one, any or all of these standard building codes. BuildingPlans.com plans all conform to the Uniform Building Code.

27.  Do these plans meet my local building codes?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Our plans are drafted to meet average conditions and codes in the state of which they were designed. Because codes and requirements can change, and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, BuildingPlans.com cannot warrant compliance with any specific code or regulation. All of our plans can be adapted to the local building codes and requirements. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or builder of each plan to see that the structure is built in strict compliance with the governing municipal codes (city, count, state and federal). In addition to the complete building plans that you order, you will also need a site plan that shows where the house is going to be located on the property. Your builder can usually help you with this. You may also need a septic design unless your lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. Many areas now have energy codes that have to be followed. This normally involves filling out a simple form proving compliance. Now for the tricky one. There are some areas of the country that have very strict engineering codes. Examples of this would be earthquake prone areas of California or hurricane risk areas of the Florida coast. If you are building in this type of area, it is possible that you will need to hire a local engineer to analyze the house and provide additional drawings and calculations required by your building department. If you aren't sure, building departments always have a handout they will give you listing everything you need to submit for a building permit.

28.  Can a contractor, or I actually build a home from your plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Yes. Our plans include most everything you need to build, including elevations, floor plans, foundation/basement plans, wall sections, electrical plans and most also have roof plans, etc. Important details, such as where the home will be located on your site, and how the water, sewer, and electrical hookups are made is something you will need to address with your contractor and local building inspector. If engineering is required by your local building department you will need to contact and hire them on your own.

29.  How do I find a contractor to build my home?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Start with the local phone book. You can also call your local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau and the local Home Builders Association to ask for recommendations. Ask friends and relatives in the area for their suggestions. Also, visit local model homes. Often the builders are there, and you can talk to them to see if they would fit your needs. One other resource is the "Find a Contractor" tab at the top of this page which is powered by ContractorGuide.com.

30.  How much will it cost to build the home I want?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Go to Building-Cost.net. You will need to answer quite a few questions but the report it generates is well worth the trouble.

31.  About our site and house plan copyrights                   Back to Top
Answer:
The purchase of a set of plans in no way transfers any copyright or other ownership interest to the buyer except for a limited license to use that set of home plans for the construction of one, and only one, dwelling unit.In 1990 the copyright law changed. The changes effected intellectual property which includes architectural drawings in any tangible medium or form, such as magazines, books, CD-ROMs, or the Internet. Under the law it is not permissible to modify a plan from such sources. It is illegal! All home plans sold through BuildingPlans.com are protected by copyrights held by the individual designers. Reproduction of these home plans, either in whole or in part, including any form and/or preparation of derivative works, for any reason without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Copyright law has been reinforced over the past few years. Willful infringement could cause settlements for statutory damages up to $100,000 plus attorney fees, damages and loss of profits.

32.  Is my privacy and credit card info secure?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Completely. When you place an online order on our secure server, all information is sent encrypted to an automated payment-processing center to see that everything is correct. Your order information is then sent to us without your credit card information. This way, no credit card information is ever stored on our server and no one will have access to it at any point in the transaction. As for your privacy, we do not give out any private information to anyone for any reason. You can read more about this by going to our privacy policy.

33.  How can I order plans if I don't live in the United States?                   Back to Top
Answer:
If you are not a resident of the United States please call toll free at 1-800-250-4505 or 1-904-461-5221 to place your order.

34.  Why should I subscribe to your newsletter?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Signing up for our newsletter not only gets you in the monthly drawing for $200 worth of house plans, it also gives you the opportunity to receive our monthly specials from the home industry related dealers we work closely with. For example, www.islandblinds.com has offered to give an additional 5% off your order for all your custom window treamtents when you purchase your home plan from BuildingPlans.com.

35.  I'm a designer, how can I offer my plans on your website?                   Back to Top
Answer:
It's easy, just fill out our designer sign-up form and once you're approved you'll have FTP access to upload all of your designs to our website.

36.  I'm a builder, what kind of discounts can I get?                   Back to Top
Answer:
We understand the importance of home builders as customers so we've set up an exclusive
Preferred Builders Program just for you.
Benefits:
• Automatically receive 15% off any plan set purchase - (of 6 sets or more)
• 20% off bulk purchase of 5 plan sets or more - (at least 5 designs, 6sets each)
• An update link sent to you once a month notifying you of any new designs added to our site
• No cost to join the program

Just click on the "For Builders" tab at the top of this page and sign up.


37.  I'd like to trade links with you, what do I need to do?                   Back to Top
Answer:
We have a few different options for links in and out of our site. Please call Joe Mehm at 1-800-250-4505 for more information.


38.  Where can I go to apply for a construction/home loan?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Click here for more home loans information