What Is Included In Our Plans?
Each set of working construction drawings that we offer will provide you with the needed information to build your home. Certain adjustments may be required to the house plans before construction begins to meet specific local building codes. Depending upon the location, this will need to be done locally by your contractor, a structural engineer, or in select states (New Jersey and Nevada) by an architect.
While each set of construction blueprints is unique and can vary by designer, the list below highlights the items that are generally included with each set of construction house plan packages that we offer.
Cover Sheet & General Notes
The cover sheet includes some basic information about the plan, some blanks that can be filled in for identifying information about your parcel and some notes to the general contractor.
The cover sheet also lists the building code that the plan was designed to. Our house plans are designed to the latest version of the International Residential Code (IRC). This sheet also includes the square footage calculations. Lastly, the cover sheet includes a sheet list with all the sheets included in your house plan.
Foundation Plan
The foundation plan will depend upon the design selected and shows the general intent of the foundation. Typically, the foundation will be a slab, crawlspace, full basement, or walk-out basement. Depending on the foundation, the plan typically delineates the location of bearing walls that will support the structure. It also identifies locations of footings, steel (rebar) placement, and other structural elements that are required to support the load of the upper floors. In select situations, the foundation plan will be a foundation outline.
The foundation plan will depend upon the design selected and shows the general intent of the foundation. Typically, the foundation will be a slab, crawlspace, full basement, or walk-out basement. Depending on the foundation, the plan typically delineates the location of bearing walls that will support the structure. It also identifies locations of footings, steel (rebar) placement, and other structural elements that are required to support the load of the upper floors. In select situations, the foundation plan will be a foundation outline.
Detailed Floor Plan(s)
A floor plan layout on blueprints is an overhead view of each floor of the completed house. You'll see parallel lines that scale at whatever width the walls are required to be. Dimensions are usually drawn between the walls to specify room sizes and wall lengths. You'll also see on the floor plan locations of doors and windows. Other elements called out may include fixtures like sinks, water heaters, furnaces, etc. Among the walls and dimensions, you will often find notes to specify finishes, construction methods, or even symbols for electrical or to reference cross sections. You can expect floor plans to be drawn at 1/4” scale.
A floor plan layout on blueprints is an overhead view of each floor of the completed house. You'll see parallel lines that scale at whatever width the walls are required to be. Dimensions are usually drawn between the walls to specify room sizes and wall lengths. You'll also see on the floor plan locations of doors and windows. Other elements called out may include fixtures like sinks, water heaters, furnaces, etc. Among the walls and dimensions, you will often find notes to specify finishes, construction methods, or even symbols for electrical or to reference cross sections. You can expect floor plans to be drawn at 1/4” scale.
Roof Plan
Describes the elements that make up the roof including notation of spacing and schematics of peaks and valleys. It may also include the slope of the roof surfaces, chimney locations, and notations on the roofing material.
Describes the elements that make up the roof including notation of spacing and schematics of peaks and valleys. It may also include the slope of the roof surfaces, chimney locations, and notations on the roofing material.
Exterior Elevations Plans
Elevations are a non-perspective (two-dimensional) view of the home. These are drawn to scale so that measurements can be taken for any aspect necessary. Plans include a front, rear, and both side elevations. The elevations specify ridge heights, the positioning of the final grade of the lot, exterior finishes, roof pitches, and other details that are necessary to give the home exterior architectural styling. You can expect elevations to be drawn at 1/4” and 1/8” scale.
Elevations are a non-perspective (two-dimensional) view of the home. These are drawn to scale so that measurements can be taken for any aspect necessary. Plans include a front, rear, and both side elevations. The elevations specify ridge heights, the positioning of the final grade of the lot, exterior finishes, roof pitches, and other details that are necessary to give the home exterior architectural styling. You can expect elevations to be drawn at 1/4” and 1/8” scale.
Building Cross Sections
Overhead views or floor plan views of the structure don't always provide enough information as to how the home is to be built. Often, cross sections or details will explain certain special conditions more appropriately. A cross section is basically a view of the home if it were sliced down the center. This allows you to view the home from the side and understand a little better the relativity of varying floor heights, rafter lengths, and other structural elements.
Overhead views or floor plan views of the structure don't always provide enough information as to how the home is to be built. Often, cross sections or details will explain certain special conditions more appropriately. A cross section is basically a view of the home if it were sliced down the center. This allows you to view the home from the side and understand a little better the relativity of varying floor heights, rafter lengths, and other structural elements.
Electrical Layout
Electrical layouts are sometimes on a separate page to make reading them a little easier. The layout will show locations of light fixtures, fans, outlets, light switches, etc. There is usually a legend on the page that explains what each symbol represents. There may be such legends for heating systems, door swings, and sizes, or even to specify certain finishes.
Interior Details and Elevations
These may include kitchen and bath elevations to show the arrangement and size of significant cabinets and other significant fixtures in the room. These drawings give basic information that can be used to create customized layouts with a cabinet manufacturer.
These may include kitchen and bath elevations to show the arrangement and size of significant cabinets and other significant fixtures in the room. These drawings give basic information that can be used to create customized layouts with a cabinet manufacturer.
FRAMING DETAILS & SPAN TABLES
The framing details sheet includes everything to ensure that your home is framed to the highest standard.
Typical wall sections and elevations accompany porch and patio construction details. We also include a cutting-edge air sealing detail to ensure that your home is built 'very tight' which can save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs annually.
Miscellaneous Details
These are included for many interior and exterior conditions that require more specific information for their construction. This includes but may not be limited to the sizes of windows, fireplaces, doors, and staircases.
These are the basics of what is included in plans, which will vary according to the designer who drew them.
Not Typically Included With Our Plans
The following sections are not typically included with our plans. While our house plans include all the information needed to construct your home, some of these additional items may be required by your local municipality. Prior to purchasing a set of house plans, we recommend you contact your builder, a local engineer, and building officials to learn your city, county, and state building codes. Cross reference the plan detail page to determine what else is needed.
Some items you may need to acquire in addition to your house plan include:
ARCHITECTURAL OR ENGINEERING STAMP
Depending on the city, county, and state building requirements, house plans may need to be reviewed by an architect or engineer for structural details and code standards. Contact a local architect or engineer to verify the requirements for your location.
SITE PLAN
A site plan essentially shows how the house will fit on the lot between the building lines and the setbacks. It also shows which sides the garage should be built on and where parking, drainage, sewer lines, water lines, lighting, landscaping, and walkways should be constructed. Contact a civil engineer to obtain the site plan.
MECHANICAL DRAWINGS
These types of technical drawings show information about heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Contact a local HVAC company to obtain mechanical drawings.
PLUMBING DRAWINGS
These drawings show the location of all plumbing materials throughout the house and outside. Contact a local plumbing contractor.
ENERGY CALCULATIONS
These calculations determine how energy efficient your new home will be. Contact a local engineer to dictate these calculations.
TRUSS PACKAGES
This information determines the structural framework of the roof and/or floor system to build the home. Contact a local truss company.