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Question: |
Can
a contractor (or I) actually build a home from your plans? |
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Answer:
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Yes.
Our plans include everything you need to build, including
elevations, floor plans, cross sections, and roof details,
etc. Important details, such as where the home will be located
on your site, and how the water, sewer, and electrical hookups
are made is something you will need to address with your contractor
and local building inspector. |
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Question: |
What's
included with your plans? |
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Answer:
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Your
basic package includes multiple sets of blueprints, which
include the following: Exterior elevations, Foundation plan,
Detailed floor plan, Cross sections, Interior elevations,
Roof details, General specifications. |
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Question: |
How
much is a set of plans? |
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Answer:
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Even
with all the options, you can get everything you need for
well under $800, less than a quarter the cost of the average
custom design. Click here for a discussion of the pros and
cons of stock plans vs. custom plans. |
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Question: |
Can
I modify existing plans? |
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Answer:
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Yes,
For a small fee you can add a bedroom, change a roofline,
add a second story, etc. The nice thing about the Internet
is that it's easy to ask. Just to send us your modification via e-mail. Don't
forget to include the Plan ID # of the home you're interested
in modifying, and we'll figure out the price. |
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Question: |
How
can I check on the status of my order? |
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Answer:
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You
will receive an email order confirmation immediately
after placing your order. |
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2.
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You
will receive a email shipping confirmation along with
a UPS tracking number when your order is shipped. You
may then track your order through the UPS system by
visiting their Web site at http://www.ups.com. |
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| 3. |
Email
us with your questions by . |
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| 4. |
Call
our offices at , 9-5 PDT |
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Question: |
Do
I really need a general contractor? |
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Answer:
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For
a major addition or a new home, a general contractor (GC)
will usually pay off in numerous ways. The GC will plan the
project, hire subcontractors he knows to be competent, avoid
costly errors, and save the homeowner lots of time. And if
something goes wrong, the GC has lots more leverage than you
do. |
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Question: |
Is
(Building material "A") better than (building material
"B")? |
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Answer:
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There
is no single right answer for comparing say, wood windows
to vinyl, or cement shingles to asphalt. Contractors have
experience with many product types in your area, and can often
direct you to existing buildings that feature the kind of
materials you're considering, allowing you to see the product
in a finished form. Best of all, the material that you choose
is likely to be available locally.
Don't overlook your local building inspector. He'll welcome
the opportunity to help you avoid costly mistakes. He's seen
them all, and can be your best friend before you commit.
Another valuable resource is your local Home Builders Association.
There are over 16,000 of these in the U.S., and are often
listed in your Yellow Pages under "Building Contractors." |
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Question: |
Why
don't they build homes like they used to? |
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Answer:
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Actually
they build them better than they used to. You'll seldom see
a modern home with a sway-back roof or broken foundation.
Changes in materials and building codes have lead to more
consistent construction, which also permits standardization
of things like insulation width, which in turn makes construction
more efficient. |
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Question: |
How
much does it cost to build a home? |
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Answer:
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Obviously,
prices will vary depending on how lavish your plans are. The
most common way of expressing building costs is in "dollars
per square foot", and most homes fall in the range of
$65/foot to $150/foot. However, the area that you live in
will play a large role as well as whether you've decided to
include a marble bath tub and gold faucets.
Your
local Home Builders Association (Yellow Pages under "Building
Contractors") will be able to help you narrow the range.
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Question: |
How
Long does it take to build a home? |
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Answer:
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A
small home or addition can often be completed in 90 days,
while a major custom home can take a year or more. The average
time for a conventional home is 6-7 months. |
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