| When a person begins the process of building | | | | |
| a new house, there are many different aspects | | | | Stock Houseplans |
| that need to be addressed including: where to | | | | |
| build, what size home to build, what features | | | | Stock house plans are, by contrast, home |
| to include, what items are the most important | | | | designs which have been developed to fit the |
| to have in the home, what costs should be | | | | needs of a particular group of the general |
| included in the budget, what are the design | | | | populace. They are not custom designed for a |
| build timeframes, who will build the home, | | | | particular person, but rather, standardized |
| and a host of other issues. | | | | for the needs of a larger group. |
| | | | |
| After these initial questions have been | | | | Stock homeplans normally include the "most |
| successfully answered, the next item that | | | | requested" features including square footage, |
| must be addressed is that of house plans. | | | | room dimensions, floorplan layout, amenities, |
| There are two basic types of house plans that | | | | and other like features. These house plans |
| can be purchased, custom or stock, with each | | | | provide an excellent value when compared to |
| having distinct advantages and disadvantages. | | | | the corresponding price of a set of fully |
| | | | custom house plans which may exceed several |
| Custom Houseplans | | | | thousand dollars. |
| | | | |
| Custom house plans are just as the name | | | | When you buy a stock house plan, you're not |
| implies. The house plans are custom drawn to | | | | paying for the countless hours spent drawing |
| meet you family's specific needs. The plans | | | | up a plan, re-working the plan, and |
| are normally drawn by a licensed building | | | | finalizing drafts. You're paying a reduced |
| designer or, in some cases, a licensed | | | | fee for a single re-use of that plan. |
| architect in a geographic location close to | | | | |
| where the 1.) owners live, or 2.) home will | | | | Advantages: |
| be built. The process is, normally, much more | | | | |
| involved and time-consuming since the owner's | | | | - Significantly less expensive |
| specific requests will need to be integrated | | | | |
| into the overall design of the home. Many | | | | - Minor plan modifications can usually be |
| times these type "special" requests can | | | | made by the original designer or a local |
| present significant challenges to the | | | | designer for a minimal charge. |
| designer of the home, which as a result, may | | | | |
| take additional time to resolve. | | | | - Very simple and quick purchase process |
| | | | |
| Since the home is being custom designed, | | | | - Can submit the plans for a building permit |
| specifically to meet the needs of that one | | | | the day after receiving |
| person/family, the costs associated with the | | | | |
| development of the house plans tend to be | | | | Disadvantages: |
| significantly larger than those for a similar | | | | |
| set of stock house plans. However, in some | | | | -Not as extensively customizable |
| cases, the custom house plan may be the only | | | | |
| viable option based on the client's needs, | | | | In conclusion, I would recommend trying to |
| home location, special building | | | | find a stock house plan, first, at a |
| considerations, etc. | | | | reputable online house plan broker website |
| | | | such as House Plan There are thousands of |
| Advantages: | | | | stock house plans available online, and House |
| | | | Plan offers a huge selection of unique house |
| - Homeowner can get exactly what they want in | | | | plans in many different architectural styles. |
| home design | | | | |
| | | | More likely than not, you'll be able to find |
| - Special needs can be addressed in the | | | | what you're looking for by doing a simple |
| design (i.e. extra large garage for boat, | | | | search. With so many plans available to |
| larger than normal master bath, handicapped | | | | choose from, it's a safe bet that you won't |
| access, etc.) | | | | see your house plan replicated in your area. |
| | | | And if you find a plan you like, but want to |
| Disadvantages: | | | | make a few modifications - no problem! Most |
| | | | of the plans available at House Plan can be |
| - Significantly more costly than stock | | | | modified to your specifications. |
| houseplans | | | | |
| | | | Determining whether your particular needs |
| - Longer, more arduous process to develop | | | | merit custom or stock house plans is, |
| | | | ultimately, a personal choice based on your |
| - Significantly more time consuming to | | | | particular situation. Both types will provide |
| produce (i.e. many meetings necessary with | | | | you with the information that you need to |
| designer over several month period) | | | | successfully build your dream home. |