What do you get for your money when you buy plans from us?
- Cover Sheet
- Foundation layout
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Building sections
- Wall section & Details
- Interior elevations
- Lighting layout
- Framing diagram
- Perspective images
What it does not include (since these things are project specific):
- Structural engineering
- Site plan
- Mechanical, plumbing, or electrical drawings or specifications
- Budget
- List of materials
Things to know before purchasing:
- These construction documents are incomplete, the plans may have to be engineered to meet your local building codes. It's important that you contact your local building official to get details on obtaining a building permit. Depending on your location, You may be required to have drawings that are sealed by a licensed Architect or Engineer prior to construction.
- Building Code Compliance: Our house plans do not meet Earthquake Seismic/ Wind code requirements. If you live a jurisdiction were this is required (CA, OR, WA, NV), or Coastal Hurricane/Wind zones (SC, NC, GA), you will need to provide and coordinate this structural engineering.
- Climate and Geography: Your specific climatic design criteria will dictate certain construction details. You and your Builder are responsible for insuring compliance with local conditions. These conditions include: snow loads, wind loads, seismic category, frost line depth, termite resistance, HVAC design parameters, flood hazards, steep slope regulations, storm water management, etc.
- Zoning / CCR's: These documents do not include a site plan. Therefore, research the local zoning requirements for your property. This will determine allowable area, height, use, setbacks, sidewalks, driveway, and landscaping requirements. Also, there may be additional design regulations and review required by Development Design Guidelines, Covenants, and Deed Restrictions. Fully investigate your property limitations before purchasing.
- Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical: We do not include any Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing Engineering with these plans. Electrical: We do include a suggested lighting, outlet, and switch layout. We encourage the use of compact fluorescent bulbs, Mechanical: You and your builder are responsible for providing the design of a Mechanical system appropriate for your location. We encourage the use of sophisticated, eco-friendly solutions, such as: photovoltaic panels, solar hot water, radiant floor heating, geo-thermal heat pumps, and high efficiency systems. We are available for consultation, to help you determine the appropriate solutions for you and your specific location. Plumbing: You and your builder are responsible for design of the plumbing system, vents, and specific products. We encourage low flow fixtures, water harvesting, and dual flush toilets.
- Budget: We can not give you a cost for the construction of your house. There are too many variables such as site conditions, finishes, material costs, and location to determine a predictable project budget. We can however, relay our own experiences and cost for construction of these houses to provide a example.
- USGBC LEED for Homes: This rating system checklist is the best we have found for a holistic approach for achieving a green home. This checklist is included in your drawing set. It is the responsibility of you and your builder to determine project certification goals and feasibility. These plans will not result in a sustainable eco-friendly home without the participation of the owner and builder in a third party certification system such as LEED. Many of the most important decisions, and construction details will be exclusive of these construction documents, such as site orientation, mechanical system, construction waste, Energy Star Certification, etc. It is a team effort to create a green home and we are available for consultation.