|
| |
| 1.
What's included in
my house plan sets
purchase? (See the
appropriate set below)
|
|
Answer:
Study set:
A study set of plans
generally include
(depending on the
designer) floor
plans and elevations
only and are not
for use of construction.
They are intended
for you or your
builder to use to
help you decide
if the home you
have chosen will
fit on your lot
and into your budget.
Construction
sets: This
includes 3 to 8
sets (depending
on the designer)
of plans which include
all four exterior
views, complete
floor plans, a basement
or foundation plan,
a roof plan, building
sections, and any
other details necessary
to explain how to
build your home.
This is the basic
package that you
need to obtain a
building permit,
secure your financing,
and to actually
build from. "This
can vary depending
on the designer".
Please call for
availability on
a specific plan.
Reproducible
Set: These
are modifiable originals
for customers/builders
interested in having
a local designer
make changes to
the design of our
stock plans. Only
the original purchaser
has the right to
build one home from
the plans purchased,
you may not rent,
lease, loan, give,
transfer or sell
copies of the plans.
CAD Set:
Please call for
availability.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 2.
Can I modify a stock
house plan? How long
will it take? |
|
Answer:
Usually yes, most
designers offer
modifications to
their stock plans
. On average it
takes one to three
weeks and runs from
$50.00 to hundreds
depending on the
complexity of the
changes. Please
have the plan number
ready and give us
a call at 1-800-250-4505
for more information.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 3.
Can I purchase a plan
and have it modified
by someone else? |
|
Answer:
Yes, if you purchase
a CAD set or Reproducible
vellums you can
take those plans
to a local draftsman
or Architect to
have changes made.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 4.
What do I do after
purchasing my plans
from you? |
|
Answer:
The first thing
you should do is
contact your local
building department
to find out exactly
what is required
for permitting.
Some areas require
an engineer or architect
to sign-off/seal
their approval to
meet local building
codes.
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 House-Plans.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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 5.
How many sets of plans
will I need to build
my new home? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 6.
Can I order more sets
once I've placed my
original order? |
|
Answer:
Yes, individual
sets are available
for your original
purchase of at least
four sets for $30.00
to $50.00 per set.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 7.
Can you help me find
a particular type
of house plan? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 8.
What types of foundations
are available for
my plan? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 9.
Can I order study
set plans? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 10.
Do you have duplex
and multi-family house
plans? |
|
Answer:
Yes, you can also
give us a call if
you can't find the
one you wanted.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 11.
How do I order the
houseplan I like?
|
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 12.
Do you have alternate
elevations of the
plan I like? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 13.
Can I see rear/side
elevations or more
artwork/pictures?
|
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 14.
Tell me about the
"living"
square footage and
room size info? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 15.
If I decide I don't
like the plans can
they be returned? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 16.
Are your house &
garage plans available
on CAD? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 17.
What codes do your
plans comply with?
|
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 18.
How many times can
I build the plan I
purchase? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 19.
What is mirror reverse
verses true reverse? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 20.
How can I check my
order status? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 21.
How long does it take
to ship a set of house
plans? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 22.
What is a reproducible
vellum? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 23.
Can we make copies
of a plan when we
purchase it? |
|
Answer:
Generally, no. All
of the plans offered
on House-Plans.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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 24.
Do you offer custom
design work? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 25.
Do your plans come
with a material list? |
|
Answer:
Some of our plans
do have an optional
materials list available
for purchase. Please
call to check availability.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 26.
What are home building
codes? |
|
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. House-Plans.com
plans all conform
to the Uniform Building
Code.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 27.
Do these plans meet
my local building
codes? |
|
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,
House-Plans.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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 28.
Can a contractor,
or I actually build
a home from your plans?
|
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 29.
How do I find a contractor
to build my home? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 30.
How much will it cost
to build the home
I want? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 31.
About our site and
house plan copyrights |
|
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 House-Plans.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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 32.
Is my privacy and
credit card info secure? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 33.
How can I order plans
if I don't live in
the United States? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 34.
Why should I subscribe
to your newsletter? |
|
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.BlindsWholesale.com
has offered to give
an additional 5%
off your order for
all your custom
window treamtents
when you purchase
your home plan from
House-Plans.com.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 35.
I'm a designer, how
can I offer my plans
on your website? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 36.
I'm a builder, what
kind of discounts
can I get? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 37.
I'd like to trade
links with you, what
do I need to do? |
|
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.
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |
| 38.
Where can I go to
apply for a construction/home
loan? |
|
|
| |
Back
to Top |
|
| |