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Typical plan sheet examples
*Not all plan sets include all sheets listed below. See the 'What's Included section on specific plan pages to get complete information.
Foundation Plan
Plan representation indicating the general design intent of the foundation. The foundation plan will show a slab, crawl space, or basem*nt. Typically this includes the footing layout, post and beams, and extent of structural slabs, depending on what type of foundation is purchased.
Floor Plan(s)
Dimensioned plans indicating the layout of rooms, walls, doors, and windows. These plans are an overhead view of the house.
Roof Plan
This plan describes the elements that make up the roof. The roof plan typically illustrates ridges, valleys, and hips. It also may indicate the roofing material and slopes of roof surfaces, as well as chimneys and decorative elements.
Exterior Elevation
Elevations are a 2d representation of each side of the house. They typically indicate the materials for the walls, roof, and other elements that are part of the home.
Building Section(s)
This is a cut-away view through the house that show adjacencies of spaces. It shows the relationship the ground to the house and the roof.
Electrical Plan(s)
This drawings indicates the location of lighting fixtures, switches and outlets, showing lighting design intent and layout.
Construction Notes and Details\
These details may include the foundation, interior walls, exterior walls, floors, stairways, and / or roof details.
Important!
Although our plans can be built “as is” in most places, your local building department may have specific requirements. Some of these requirements, including structural engineering, soils reports and energy efficiency calculations may require significant additional investments.
The typical plan set does not include any plumbing, heating or air conditioning drawings due to the wide variety of local codes and climatic conditions. These details and specifications are easily obtained from your builder, contractor, and/or local suppliers.
All house plans on Houseplans.com are designed to conform to the building codes from when and where the original house was designed.
Other Important Documents
License
The License Agreement grants you the license to build a single home* from a purchased design.
Plan Media (Digital Files or Printed Copies)
Digital Files
Digital files can be sent to you by email. Digital files can be sent to a Kinko’s or blueprint store near you when you need printed “sets” for bidding and permitting. You save time and money and when you need an additional copy or even just a single page you can have it in an hour or so.
Printed Copies
If you prefer your plan’s architect or designer will make printed copies for you and can send them in the mail. When you need additional printed sets you simply order them and they will arrive in a few days.
Digital Media (sent by e-mail)
Printed Copies (sent in the mail)
Best Value
PDF sets arrive the soonest and allow you to print more copies inexpensively and locally when you need them.
Print Locally as needed
CAD
Computer Aided Design (CAD) files are required when you are using your own architect to make significant changes to a plan set.**
Print Locally as needed
Printed Copies (sent in the mail)
5 or 8 Copy Set
Printed are stamped “do not copy” and cannot be copied legally.
Order additional copies for more prints
Reproducible
Printed on paper that allows direct copying. Includes a limited copyright release to make copies as you need them.
Print Locally as needed
Not yet ready to build?
Many plans have Study Set or Single Set option that allows you to obtain bids from contractors if you are not ready to buy a full-priced plan. These sets are stamped "Not for Construction" and contractor cannot legally build from it. We do credit you 90% of the Study Set or Single Set purchase towards your upgraded plan set once you are ready for your construction documents.
* Unless you buy an “unlimited” plan set or a multi-use license you may only build one home from a set of plans. Please call to verify if you intend to build more than once. Plan licenses are non-transferable and cannot be resold.
** The original designer retains the copyright to plans derived from their plans. You cannot buy a CAD set, change them and sell the changed design to others or build additional homes based on the changed set.
