STOCK PLANS, TAILORED PLANS, CUSTOM PLANS:

Stock Plans: These are complete construction plans located within our home plan library. Stock plans are ready-made and available for next day pickup. The price is determined by plan package options you choose. This is a great choice if you do not have specific requirements and do not have the time that it takes for a custom plan to be drawn. These plans are ready for construction.
Tailored plans: These are modifications made at your request from our “Stock Plans.” Tailored plans are completed in much less time than a custom plan. Tailored plans start with a fixed fee based on stock plan package options you choose, with changes billed by the hour.
Custom plans: Are completely designed from collaboration, suggestions, and ideas from you, the client, and the designer. Custom plan charges are billed by the square foot of the home. There are many reasons clients and builders choose to have a plan custom designed. With all the specific needs and given ever changing lifestyles and market trends, along with your specific needs, it is certainly rewarding to have a home designed with your personal touch. Likewise, if you are a builder, you can project your budget, keep it under control, and establish your unique trademark, setting you apart from the rest.

GETTING STARTED AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Find a general area where you would like to build. Do some research on available lots or land in the particular area that you find suitable. Things to consider: School district, utilities, commuting, etc…

Decide on a particular Lot or Land Parcel. Once you decide where you would like to build, whether in a Subdivision, or on a land parcel, request a copy of the Site Plan. This will help you decide and establish the limits on the size and shape of the home. Also, check to see if there are any requirements and/or covenants. (This can limit you as to what the minimum size and style home that can be built). This may also be a good time to consult with us for any further questions and/or direction you may need. A realtor and/or builder can also be great to work with during this stage. Knowledge and homework is the key ingredient during this time.

Establish rough requirements: Outline your most important needs first. How many bedrooms, bathrooms, special rooms, and garage(s) or
carport(s) do you need? What size (square feet of living space) home do you desire? Create a collection of ideas by use of magazine clippings, photos, notes, personal rough sketches etc… Our stock, home plan library can also help spark ideas and inspiration. If you need help getting started, we will be more than happy to assist.

What to expect:

First Consultation Meeting: This first meeting can take place in our office or via a web conference over the internet. Together, we will review all the above information to establish the general project scope and help you establish a more structured set of requirements that will meet your satisfaction. This meeting will mainly be an exchange of information. Much like an interview, we will be asking you key questions, and then taking notes while you share your ideas and expectations. Our goal: We want to know what you think makes a house feel more like a home.
Conceptual Design Meeting: During this meeting, you will review what we have developed from the collaboration of the project scope and your ideas. This will also be the opportunity for us to answer any questions you may have. Please understand that our conceptual designs are not a single-shot effort (i.e., take it or leave it), rather it is a starting point - you can decide to continue with what we have presented, or we can continue discussing additional ideas for a new, conceptual design. We will continue to work with you until you are completely comfortable and satisfied. Our conceptual designs will consist of applicable rough sketches of floor plan(s) and 3-D Elevation(s). If at this time you agree we are headed in the right direction, you will have the opportunity to take sketches home with you for a more thorough review, and to contemplate further commits, questions, and/or suggestions for our next meeting.

Reviews and Commits: This next step is all about back and forth reviews. This occurs when both parties have agreed that the progress can proceed with more detail. This is done by email, unless you request otherwise. We do this for two reasons. One: This reduces unnecessary delays in the design process AND reduces your tendency to worry about finding time for office meetings. Two: You are able to review at your own pace in the comfort of your own home so your thoughts remain clear, without interruption or pressure to make hasty decisions. This process will be sent back and forth until you are ready to proceed to the next stage. As always, you will remain in control throughout this process. When you approve and are completely satisfied, we will proceed to the final set.
Final Set: In this stage, we finalize all the technical requirements and documentation required by code and needed by the builder to begin the project. It is very important that you make the decision to continue to final set, only when you are completely ready and confident.
Pick up plans: At this time, the plans are completely finished and are ready for construction.

What A typical set of construction documents include:

Included Set: 10 complete sets of construction documents. These documents are organized and prepared to be distributed among the vast array of professionals in order to construct the project. (i.e., Builder, subcontractors, Lenders, Appraisers, etc…)
Cover Sheet: Including 3-D perspectives of the exterior of the house. Also protects the rest of the documents within the project set.
Foundation: Complete with dimensions, dimensioned plumbing and referenced details
Elevations: Complete with dimensions, ridge heights and special notes and materials
Floor Plan(s): Complete with dimensions of all elements including plumbing, appliances and cabinet sizes. Applicable notes of special conditions are tailored with the tradesmen in mind.
Roof Plan: Complete with dimensions, plate heights, roof pitches and notes for special conditions, as well as a Roof Square footage table for Calculating roof materials.
Rafter plan: Complete with rafter lengths and separate rafter cut list. for accurate estimation of materials. This also aids the framer in selecting the correct lengths to use in order to minimize waste.
Details: Applicable Cornice (Eve) and Special Details designed directly from the plan (not typical details that are reused for every plan produced). We do this to improve the accuracy and integrity that should be expected from quality set of plans.
Interior Elevations: Including applicable cabinets, electrical, and special construction notes.
Floor joist: Complete with spans, sizes and direction (if applicable).
Ceiling Joist: Complete with spans, sizes and direction
Sections: Complete with dimensions, notes and Specifications
Electrical Plan: Complete with layout, Light fixtures, Outlets and legend.
Site Plan: Complete with dimensions and applicable site conditions and/or improvements (if available).

Click to View a sample Plan.

In addition to what is included above, we also offer the following, free of charge:

Plan Drop-off and pickup: We will help you coordinate with local builders and/or subcontractors of your choice to pick up and drop off plans for bids. This will eliminate the need for you to schedule time away from work or family, getting the prices together for your project.
Conference Room meeting: Need a place to meet with your builder and/or subcontractors? No problem. Our conference room is open for you to use. Please call ahead and we will have it ready for your use.
Continued Support: We will be here for you throughout the construction process, eager to answer any questions anyone has during the entire construction phase. Here are some additional services and options we offer:

Please keep in mind the following services and options we offer:

Additional sets: In case you run out of plans, we can print you more.
Email Bid Sets: In some cases, it is much easier to email plans for bid, rather than shipping them out of town or state.
Material Estimations: If you plan to construct the project yourself. We can provide you with a complete list calculation to help you produce an estimate more accurate than most traditional methods used today. We can even do the work for you.
Marketing Material: If you are planning to sell the project after you finish. We can create a wide range of promotional and market material that will aid you in sales before, during or after the construction project. See our Marketing Services.