HOUSE PLANS
There exists an abundance of house plans from diverse plan houses and designers, numbering in the thousands. I’ve yet to stumble upon one that wholeheartedly prioritizes the individual needs of a client. Instead, they juggle multiple projects focusing on profits, inadvertently overlooking crucial details. Our ethos differs—we prefer dedicating ample time and attention to a select few projects annually, striving for excellence rather than rushing through multiple projects and creating disasters. It is a commitment born out of passion for the craft.
CUSTOM HOUSE PLANS
If you happen upon your ideal home design online but desire modifications or additional spaces, we can tailor existing plans to craft custom designs that suit your preferences. It is important to note that images and plans of homes found online are legally protected by copyright, belonging to their original designers. Respect for these rights is essential. However, it is worth mentioning that while specific layouts may be copyrighted, general space sizes and relationships are typically standard in each home. Additionally, home styles such as Victorian, Usonian, Prairie, Modern, Contemporary, etc., as well as the choice of materials, are not subject to copyright.
Online Plans
Consider this scenario: you find a plan online that mostly fits your needs but requires minor adjustments, such as relocating a door or removing a wall. In such cases, your best course of action might be to purchase the plan directly from the provider and then instruct your contractor to implement the necessary alterations during construction. Most “plan houses” offer options to buy the PDF single build set or CAD files, albeit at a significant cost. However, this expense pales in comparison to potential legal consequences if unauthorized modifications are discovered. It is worth noting that modifications on purchased plans will incur an additional fee as they are derivative works.
Some things to consider if purchasing online house plans:
- There is limited customization unless you pay extra for the modifications resulting in time delays and sometimes the changes extensive changes to the structure as well as roof form.
- The design you select may not be compatible with your site, whether it be the parcel’s lot dimensions, required setbacks, easements, slope, zoning and neighborhood home owner association restrictions, etc.
- Not all home plans are compliant with the current applicable codes. Some of the plans found online are designs from as far back as the 1980’s which do not meet the current building codes. There have been numerous plans that we’ve seen over decades that do not comply with the current adopted building codes and require significant changes. Changes vary from plan to plan but can result in spaces being reconfigured, roofs being modified, and even the structure being completely redesigned.
- The quality of the construction documents vary from set to set. Many plans online may have beautiful colorful rendered images depicting the final design and that is what you expect to see in the construction documents but don’t be fooled, this is typically not the case. What you end up with may be a basic skeletal set of drawings that has recycled outdated details for decades and will require many hours of discussions between you and the builder for clarification.
- You miss out on having a hands-on approach with the design. There’s nothing wrong with living in an established development where every house is the same only the exterior is changed slightly with brick vs. siding or this house has a green door instead of a red one. If you want a design that is customized to your specific needs, purchasing online plans is not the way.
Existing Design
Years ago, you may have hired a designer to craft a conceptual design. Now, as you revisit the idea, you feel inclined to adjust. However, the original designer may have left the business, taken on larger projects, or simply become unavailable. Alternatively, you may want to explore ideas before potentially facing significantly higher costs elsewhere or waiting for the original designer to become available. In any case, do not hesitate to contact us. Remember, if others created the drawings, you may need to obtain a signed and dated copyright design release from the original designer to proceed with any new modifications. If a design release cannot be obtained, your only choices are to proceed with the original designer or create an entirely different design.
Unique Design
You might already have a layout that you have been working on and want input on or are curious about how one space connects to another. Designing the floor plan layouts for most custom homes is usually straightforward, but what is not is determining the roof and framing structure necessary to cover the house plan. A beautifully laid out plan can encounter difficulties when trying to fit a roof onto it, potentially resulting in a costly roof—twice the expense of a simpler plan, as we have experienced in the past. While encountering such challenges does not spell the end for your house plan, it does require a give-and-take process. It is wise to consult with someone who can help you visualize your plan before approaching a builder, exploring available options upfront rather than risking problems for contractors during construction.
DRAWING STANDARDS
Every construction drawing set created by Sketch2Cad Drafting is held up to the highest level of drafting quality and design. Sometimes we’re labeled as perfectionists when it comes to drawings, which is also a sign of caring intricately about the project. Each page is fully detailed and documented to maintain a reputation for consistent innovation at the highest level of design. We do not insert ‘fluff’ sheets (typical detail sheets to make the drawing set appear bigger to compensate the fee structure) and only the details that pertain to your actual project are included.
Custom Details
Every individual is unique, and the homes they live in should reflect that same individuality. While modern technology allows us to create architectural drawings on a computer, we must not let this convenience come at the expense of detail. Your drawings are the blueprint for your dream home. They need to be so precise and complete that contractors can clearly understand your vision and build the home exactly as it was intended. A lack of appropriate detail can lead to misunderstandings, costly mistakes, and a final product that doesn’t align with the client’s expectations.
Quality
As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” This is especially true when it comes to something as significant as a set of house plans. Just as you wouldn’t expect a $500 car to run perfectly, you shouldn’t expect a cheap set of plans to be complete or without issues.
While some basic plans might be enough to get the job done, they often lack the detail needed to avoid costly problems and misunderstandings during construction. Don’t assume all plans are created equal. Do your research, compare the quality of the work, and invest in a comprehensive set of plans that will save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.
Sketch2cad Drafting specializes in a wide range of architectural building styles including Contemporary, Farmhouse, Modern, Traditional, & Victorian projects.
Don’t settle for what your neighbor has that was a cookie cutter stock plan purchased online or what’s available on the market, it’s your dream, anything is possible.
