Frequently Asked Home Plan Questions 

01  What is included in your home floor plans?

All of our house plans include the basic drawings required for house construction. However, the exact contents of each plan may vary, as every designer includes different levels of detail. Most of the sheets included will be shown in each plan’s pictures. Please click “Enquire about this Product” and we will send you all of the included sheets (with a watermark).

All plans are drawn to scale and have been previously engineered and built.

Foundation Plan:

Depending on the plan, there will be a crawl, mono, or stem wall foundation (some plan sets have all 3), to scale, with engineering completed. We can change the foundation free of charge; however, the new foundation will not have structural notes and details.

Exterior Elevations:

Four elevations showing exterior materials and measurements

Floor Plan(s):

Detailed plans, drawn to scale for each level, show room dimensions, wall partitions, windows, etc.

Structural Sheets:

the original structural engineering (you will need to have your local engineer seal them again). These include details and most of the original structural notes. Having a plan that has already been engineered and built will be very helpful for your local engineer and should reduce costs and engineering time.

Electrical Plans:

Most plans do not have electrical sheets. This is usually completed by your contractor. We can create electrical plans starting at $100 per plan.

02  How is the heated or unheated square footage calculated?

Like realtors and appraisers, we calculate the square footage of the “conditioned spaces” only, meaning the areas of the home that are heated. Some areas that are not included in our square footage calculation include porches, patios, sunrooms, screened porches, bonus rooms, garages, and foundations. Basements that are finished with rooms (living space) may be included in the square footage.

03  Will the plans meet my county’s building codes?

Each municipality, state, province, and subdivision may have its own set of norms and laws that have been established to perform best in their own regions. Our designs are meant to meet the national building code requirements in effect at the time and location where the plan was created, but regional updates are not often performed. Once you have acquired your plans, many locations require extra processes, such as site plans, updated structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) designs, energy code compliance, and local code upgrades, so be sure to budget accordingly. Before beginning a construction project, you should consult your local building authority.

04  What do I need to know about local building and zoning requirements?

Your plans may need to be modified to comply with local requirements regarding snow loads, energy codes, soil conditions, and seismic conditions, as well as a variety of other location-specific planning factors. Prior to ordering plans, we strongly advise that you seek advice from a homebuilder or engineer to discuss local planning requirements. You might also want to talk to the person in charge of building in your area before you apply for a permit or start building.

05:  What do I need to know about architectural and engineering seals?

Nearly all cities and states require that a state-licensed architect or engineer review and “seal” a blueprint to unofficially approve it prior to construction after a compliance review is done. That sealed plan is then sent to the city for final approval. Prior to an application for a building permit or the start of construction, we strongly advise that you consult your contractor and local building department to see if such a review is required. Most of the time, extra engineering is needed because of things like heavy rain and snow, earthquakes, coastal conditions, floods, and high winds.

06  Is there a way to know if a plan has been purchased and/or built in my area?

Because we want to protect our clients’ privacy, we don’t share the personal building information of people who have bought our plans.

We can have a 3D model or more realistic 2D renderings completed at affordable rates. You could also download the elevations and use an editor such as Microsoft Paint to add colors to the exterior to suit you.

07  What is a walkout basement?

A walkout basement has an exit door or doors that open to the exterior, typically on the house’s rear or one side. Walkout basements are ideal for homes being constructed on sloping lots. Due to shifting soils, we advise that any plans requiring a walkout basement be reviewed by a local engineer in order to calculate any necessary bracing.

08  Do you offer a low-price guarantee?

This is the “guarantee” offered by our competitors, whereas if you find the same plan elsewhere (which is unlikely), then they will give a 10%–25% discount. Our prices are already less than half of the competition’s, and our plans are not sold elsewhere. So, in this scenario, we would say, “No, we do not offer such a discount.”

09  How much will this house cost to build?

The cost of building a new home varies so much based on the location, level of finish (tile, trim, window quality, etc.), ceiling height, construction site, economy, builder, etc., etc.

Please visit this page to find the best cost calculators.

01  What is included in your home floor plans?

All of our house plans include the basic drawings required for house construction.However, the exact contents of each plan may vary, as every designer includes different levels of detail. Most of the sheets included will be shown in each plan’s pictures. Please click “Enquire about this Product” and we will send you all of the included sheets (with a watermark).

All plans are drawn to scale, have been previously engineered and built.

Foundation Plan:

Drawn to scale. Depending on the plan, there will be a crawl, mono, or stem wall foundation (some plan sets have all 3) with engineering completed. We can change the foundation free of charge, however, the new foundation will not have structural notes and details.

Exterior Elevations:

A blueprint picture of all four sides showing exterior materials and measurements.

Floor Plan(s):

Detailed plans, drawn to scale for each floor, room dimensions shown, wall partitions, windows, etc.

Structural Sheets:

The original structural engineering (you will need to have your local engineer seal them again). These include details and most of the original structural notes. Having a plan that has already been engineered and built will be very helpful for your local engineer and should reduce costs and engineering time.

Electrical Plans:

Most plans do not have electrical sheets. This is usually completed by your contractor. We can create electrical plans starting at $100 a plan.

02  How is the heated or unheated square footage calculated?

Like realtors and appraisers, we calculate the square footage of the “conditioned spaces” only, meaning the areas of the home that are heated. Some areas that are not included in our square footage calculation include porches, patios, sunrooms, screened porches, bonus rooms, garages, and foundations. Basements that are finished with rooms (living space) may be included in the square footage.

03  Will the plans meet my county’s building codes?

Each municipality, state, province, and subdivision may have its own set of norms and laws that have been established to perform best in their own regions. Our designs are meant to meet the national building code requirements in effect at the time and location where the plan was created, but regional updates are not often performed. Once you have acquired your plans, many locations require extra processes, such as site plans, updated structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) designs, energy code compliance, and local code upgrades, so be sure to budget accordingly. Before beginning a construction project, you should consult your local building authority.

04  What do I need to know about local building and zoning requirements?

Your plans may need to be modified to comply with local requirements regarding snow loads, energy codes, soil and seismic conditions, as well as a variety of other location-specific planning factors. Prior to ordering plans, we strongly advise that you seek advice from a homebuilder or engineer to discuss local planning requirements. You may also want to consult with your local building official before applying for any permit or beginning construction.

We authorize the use of our plans with the express condition that you comply with all local building codes, zoning requirements and other applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and conditions set forth by your planning commission. Modifiable plan options are available to help with any local requirements.

05 What do I need to know about architectural and engineering seals?

Some cities and states require that a state-licensed architect or engineer review and “seal” a blueprint to unofficially approve it prior to construction after a compliance review is done. Prior to an application for a building permit or the start of construction, we strongly advise that you consult your contractor and local building department to see if such a review is required. Heavy rain and snow, earthquakes, coastal conditions, floods, and high winds will usually necessitate additional engineering.

06  Can I make copies of the plans?

Yes! We understand it’s super helpful knowing what you are purchasing! Use your printouts to receive accurate cost to build estimates from local builders. Our competitors provide inaccurate cost estimates and charge, on average, $500 for these study plans you receive for free.

07  What is a reversed or mirror plan?

There are two sorts of reversal available. Mirror Reverse and Right-Reading Reverse are their names.

Option 1) “Mirror Reverse” is when the plan layout is reversed without any text or dimensions being altered to read “normally.” The plans are backwards, but the text is correct.

Option 2) Right-Reading Reverse: This is when the plan is inverted, but the text, dimensions, and measurements are physically altered to be legible. Also known as “true reverse,” this is the service we always provide at less than half the cost of our competitors. As opposed to mirror reverse, it prevents your builder and subcontractors from making costly mistakes while reading mirror reverse blueprints.

08  Do you provide material lists?

No one should rely on a designer’s materials list when it comes to the nuts, bolts, nails, and lumber for a given job. Instead, it is strongly advised that you obtain a construction “take off” from at least one building supply store. In an effort to win your business, quality stores will provide these services at no additional cost, while some big-box retailers may charge a fee.

Requesting take-offs gives two crucial advantages:

• Determine what materials are available in your region.
• Obtaining the most recent material pricing information.

In the past decade, I have designed hundreds of projects for builders and constructed six of my own homes. I’ve seen a lot of material lists made by architects, and not a single one has been as useful (or even close) as those made by skilled people.

What is a “take off” in the building industry?

A “take-off” for construction is a basic materials list, typically a spreadsheet, that estimates the construction materials required for a housebuilding project as well as their current costs. In an effort to protect your business, top building supply stores nearly always offer complimentary take-offs. Some department stores may charge a modest fee for assembling a take-off. My recommendation is to look elsewhere, as the vast majority of box stores offer substandard product quality. Whenever feasible, locate a local building supply center or centers.

Why is this an excellent idea?

This method is the most effective technique to obtain the following:

• Information on locally available construction materials
• Price guarantees on items for a specific time period
• Understanding who can provide what you require

Having several competitive offers from regional suppliers might also facilitate price negotiations.

How to obtain one

You need only bring your downloaded PDF plan to a building supply store and request a copy. There are two approaches to this:

Deliver the 24″ x 36″ printed plan set by hand or

Send a PDF version of the plan (this is the most common).

And that is all. It really is that simple.

What about materials for finishing?

Typical take-offs consist of the foundation, rough framing, and other general materials required for lock-up. On the other hand, finishing materials are dictated by aesthetics and differ. For this reason, creating a list of desired finishes is a wonderful and entertaining do-it-yourself project. On the other hand, finishing materials are dictated by aesthetics and differ. For this reason, creating a list of desired finishes is a wonderful and entertaining do-it-yourself job. It’s enjoyable to browse the web, visit stores, create a Pinterest and/or Houzz account, and begin collecting images. You can also collect PDF brochures, photographs, blogs, websites, etc. in a single folder on your PC.

Once you have a draft list, talk to your contractor about it to get feedback and help with sourcing.

Here’s a quick recap:

Send your PDF plan to a building supply retailer through email or as a printed copy.

Create a list of all the appliances, fixtures, and finishing materials that you prefer.

Then, communicate with your builder.

Avoid being intimidated. Everyone can do it. The estimation of materials is genuinely this straightforward. You don’t need to purchase or create a comprehensive materials list; all you need to do is request one and put in a little work, which will ultimately help you comprehend the nuts and bolts of your home.

We often request photographs from our customers and plan designers, and we do upload many new photos every week. If the plan you like does not have photos displayed, it is likely we have not been able to get any yet. Please contact one of our Plan Advisors at 1-800-642-8078 and we will attempt to obtain additional photos for you.

09  What is a Construction Guide?

The Construction Guide is a handy PDF covering fundamental construction aspects, including foundations, wall assembly, external finishes, and more. The Construction Guide will assist you in comprehending the fundamentals of construction methods.

01  How do I find a specific plan to meet my criteria?

It’s easy! Just use the filters to narrow your plan options down by style, size, features, and more. Not seeing exactly what you’re looking for? Any house plan can be customized for a fee, so if you cannot locate that “perfect plan” we can work with you to fine-tune it or you can order a modifiable plan and work out your changes locally. We want to help, so just call us any time at for help with your plan search.

02  How is the square footage calculated?

Like realtors and appraisers, we calculate the square footage of the “conditioned spaces” only, meaning the areas of the home that are heated. Some areas that are not included in our square footage calculation include porches, patios, sunrooms, screened porches, bonus rooms, garages, and foundations. Some basements may be considered in the square footage if they are finished with rooms (living space).

03  Will the plans meet my county’s building codes?

Each city, state, province and subdivision may have their own set of codes and regulations that have been determined to work best for the area. Our plans are designed to meet the national building code standards from the time and place where the plan was designed, but plans are not generally updated for any specific region. Many areas require additional steps once you have purchased your plans, including site plans, structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) plans, energy code compliance, and local code updates, so be sure to budget for what is needed in your location. You should consult with your local building official before starting your project. You can also call us at 1-800-642-8078 to check on any specific plan codes.

04  What do I need to know about local building and zoning requirements?

Your plans may need to be modified to comply with local requirements regarding snow loads, energy codes, soil and seismic conditions, as well as a variety of other location-specific planning factors. Prior to ordering plans, we strongly advise that you seek advice from a homebuilder or engineer to discuss local planning requirements. You may also want to consult with your local building official before applying for any permit or beginning construction.

We authorize the use of our plans with the express condition that you comply with all local building codes, zoning requirements and other applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and conditions set forth by your planning commission. Modifiable plan options are available to help with any local requirements.

05  What do I need to know about architectural and engineering seals?

Some cities and states require that a state-licensed architect or engineer review and “seal” a blueprint to unofficially approve it prior to construction after a compliance review is done. Prior to application for a building permit or the start of construction, we strongly advise that you consult your contractor and local building department to see if such a review is required. Areas that have heavy rain and snow, earthquakes, coastal conditions, floods and high wind will usually require additional engineering to plans.

06  How much does it cost to customize my plan?

Plan modification pricing varies depending on the size of your house and the complexity of the design. It also depends on how many plan sheets need to be redesigned. Typically, your builder will be able to manage minor alterations for between $500 and $1,000.  Depending on the aforementioned variables, moderate to substantial modifications can cost between $1,000 and $2,500 or more. Consider that you are really obtaining an unique home for far less than a designer or architect would normally charge.

07  How do I proceed once I’ve received the cost estimate for Customization?

Once you have approved the estimate sent by your Plan Advisor, they will prepare an invoice or Scope of Work Agreement and email it to you. After you sign and return the agreement and purchase the plans and customization service we will get your project onto the schedule and start working with you. You can call us any time at 1-800-642-8078 to discuss our Customization Service.

08  Can you complete custom designs from scratch?

We do not offer this service currently.  Customization is for plans sold on My Home Floor Plans only.

09  I would like to make changes to the kitchen; can I receive a quote to only make changes to the kitchen from the customization team?

Yes, however it is more customary to negotiate kitchen and bathroom modifications with your builder and/or interior designer after you receive the blueprints.

10  What is the turn-around time for My Home Floor Plan’s customization services?

Typically, plan adjustments take around 1 week to accomplish, while certain projects can be completed even more quickly. Larger blueprints or plans with complicated adjustments can take up to two weeks. This will still be far faster than having a unique plan created locally.

01  What is the exchange policy?

Once you have received your copyrighted home plans, there will be no refunds or exchanges. If you decide that you cannot build the house for which you bought plans, we may be able to offer you a discount on an alternative layout. Ensure that you conduct all necessary study before to obtaining house designs so that you end up with a home that you adore.

02  What are your shipping options?

We recommend first receiving the CAD and PDF file included with every plan purchase.  Then follow this link to Fedex’s  blueprints printing service.  From here, you can upload the PDF and specifiy shipping or pickup from your local office.  They also offer binding services as well.  My Home Floor Plans can ship ground shipping throughout the continental United States. Priority and expedited shipping options are also offered (check with one of our Plan Advisors at 1-800-642-8078 for current pricing).  Shipping options ware shown on the plan page before adding the plan to the cart.

03  Is there a time limit for using my house plan?

There is no time constraint on construction. We recommend that you keep your plans and copyright letter in a secure location so that you may access them if you decide to begin building.

03  Is there a time limit for using my house plan?

There is no time constraint on construction. We recommend that you keep your plans and copyright letter in a secure location so that you may access them if you decide to begin building.

04  Can I trade my plans for a different set?

We cannot accept returns or exchanges, however we may be able to give a discount on your new plan. Email [email protected] or call 1-800-642-8078 to speak with one of our Plan Advisors about this.

05  What methods of payment do you accept?

Currently, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Paypal are accepted.

06  Is there a way to know if a plan has been purchased and/or built in my area?

To protect the privacy of our customers, we do not disclose personal building information of people who have purchased plans from us. View our Privacy Policy here.