Then decide if you want to go with conventional lumber for your floor and roof system or engineered prefabricated trusses. Conventional floor and roof systems may need engineering if required by your local building department. If choosing engineered trusses, you'll need to drop off one set of plans to your local truss plant or building materials center where they will furnish truss layouts and truss details. Generally, they provide this service as part of the truss price package.

You MUST get the specific requirements from your local building department. What we at BuildingPlans.com provide are just what's called the "design" and "working drawings". There are no engineer or architectural stamps/sign-off's whatsoever. Engineering is not provided with any plans and should be provided by your own hired, local Engineer.

The best place to start looking for an engineer or architect would be your local phone directory since they would need to be familiar with YOUR local building codes.

Wind load, snow load and earthquake engineering would be YOUR engineer or architects responsibility.

5.  How many sets of plans will I need to build my new home?                   Back to Top
Answer:
We recommend that when purchasing your sets you always keep a full set for your records. Depending on your area, you will need a few sets for your builders / subcontractors, mortgage or lending institution, building department etc. The safest way to go is a 5 set minimum since blueprints can not be copied and are protected under copyright laws.

6.  Can I order more sets once I've placed my original order?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Yes, individual sets are available for your original purchase of at least four sets for $30.00 to $50.00 per set.

7.  Can you help me find a particular type of house plan?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Sure, If you don't see what you want on our website just give us a call toll free at 1-800-250-4505 and one of our sales reps will be glad to help you.

8.  What types of foundations are available for my plan?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Many times changing a foundation type is a very simple matter and can be done during construction. Most of our plans are drawn with a standard slab but can be modified for basements, crawl space, etc. Please write down the plan you're interested in and give us a call toll free at 1-800-250-4505 with any questions. You will find the type of foundation that is available for the plan you have chosen in our general specifications chart on the price page of that plan.

9. : Can I order study set plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
This answer depends on which designers plan you choose. Some require that you order at least one full set of working drawings and that set is usually marked in red saying: "Study Set". Others will ship the basic floor and elevation information as their study set. Please give us a call if the plan you selected doesn't make it clear.

10.  Do you have duplex and multi-family house plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Yes, you can also give us a call if you can't find the one you wanted.

11.  How do I order the houseplan I like?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Once you have chosen a plan that you want to order just follow the simple instructions on the price and general specifications page of that plan. You must choose a plan set and then a plan foundation type. You can find what foundations are available for the plan in the light blue area of that page under "General Specifications". It will tell you there under "Foundation Type". Then proceed to checkout. If you do not want any of the other options that are offered then click on add to cart and continue with the information needed. If you want you can also place your order over the phone by calling 800-250-4505. Please have the plan number available.

12.  Do you have alternate elevations of the plan I like?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most of the plans we offer have more than one elevation drawn for them. Please give us a call if you'd like to check availability.

13.  Can I see rear/side elevations or more artwork/pictures?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Usually. Most of our designers have rear and side elevations available. If you don’t see it, give us a call and we will see if we can get copies and send them to you by fax or e-mail.

14.  Tell me about the "living" square footage and room size info?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Generally, square footage is calculated as the finished (dry-walled, painted, carpeted), under heat and air square footage. It would include footage from outside framed wall to outside framed wall (not including brick, siding, stucco etc.) and anywhere the floor joists would project, such as in a cantilevered (overhanging) bay window. Other things that are typically not included in a home's square footage are garages, front, back or side porches, courtyards, patio, etc. Basements are also not included in the square footage unless they are finished. All room sizes shown on floor plans are rounded off measurements. Please call to request exact room sizes if there are certain space requirements.

15.  If I decide I don't like the plans can they be returned?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Unfortunately, no. Since it is possible to make illegal copies of the plans you received, we do not allow any refunds. You need to make sure of your order before placing it. It is also VERY important that you check the dimensions of your lot or land before selecting a house plan.

16.  Are your house & garage plans available on CAD?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most of our plans are available for purchase on disk or CD ROM, however some of our earlier plans are not available in this format. Please call for availability.

17.  What codes do your plans comply with?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Some plans are designed to specifications published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) or the Building officials and Code Administrators (BOCA). Most of our plans are designed to meet or exceed the national building standards. Because of the great differences in geography and climate throughout the US and Canada, each state, country, county and municipality has its own building codes, zone requirements, ordinances and building regulations. Your plans may need to comply with the local requirements regarding snow loads, energy codes, wind loads, soil and seismic conditions and a wide range of other matters. Please check with your local building authorities before making your purchase.

18.  How many times can I build the plan I purchase?                   Back to Top
Answer:
As a registered purchaser of a plan, you are licensed to build only one structure from the plans, regardless of the number of plan sets you purchased. If you intend to build a plan more than once, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-250-4505 for more information.

19.  What is mirror reverse verses true reverse?                   Back to Top
Answer:
A mirror reverse is exactly like looking at a set of plans in a mirror. All of the text is backwards. In the days before we used computers to draw our plan, this was the only way to get plans that were the opposite of the way they were drawn. With computers, however, most programs allow us to "flip" the plan but keep the text forward reading. So, if you’ve picked out a plan but need to have it reversed, make sure the right reading "true reverse" is available for that plan. If this option is available it will be shown on the plan specifications page.

20.  How can I check my order status?                   Back to Top
Answer:
You will receive an email order confirmation immediately after placing your order. You will receive an email shipping confirmation along with a tracking number when your order is shipped. You may then track your order through our site by clicking on the link at the top of our site called "order status". Email us with any order status questions at sales@AmazingPlans.com or call us at 1-800-250-4505, M-F 8-6 Sat 10-5 est.

21.  How long does it take to ship a set of house plans?                   Back to Top
Answer:
Most plans are shipped by the next working day