DIY Network

Getting Started: You Need a House Plan From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-101

In this segment Blueprint for Home Building host Jeff Wilson will explain what house plans are and their importance in building a home.

What Is a House Plan?

A house plan is a series of drawings that basically describes what you're going to be building and how to build it, and it consists of all the sheets necessary to describe the house -- floor plans, elevations, sections, interior elevation details and the structural set.

A house plan will also include details of the foundation, framing, roof, plumbing and electrical wiring.

Working with a reputable architect or design firm is a great way to secure a house plan because it provides you with a ton of options.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

What are Some of the House-Plan Options?

• An architect, if you choose to hire one, will guide you through the entire design process for your home, and she or he will make sure your dream home is built properly.

• There are several other ways to secure a plan as well. Several ready-made plans can be found in books and online (figure A). After choosing one of these plans an architect can assist in modifying the plans to suit your needs.

  Note: When choosing or designing a house plan, it's important to keep any financial constraints in mind. You need to think about your budget and what you can afford. Be sure to get feedback from the builder, even if it is a ballpark figure.

  Financial Construction Tip: Don't make changes after construction starts, or at least keep them to a minimum or the costs can skyrocket. Be sure to make changes in the plans "before" the building process begins.

• A great house plan should take more than just a bunch of measurements and codes into consideration, it should also take your family's future into consideration. For example, when you're designing your home or working with an architect, be sure to include features that will allow you to stay in the home for years. This early stage is the best opportunity to do this. You can do things early on for very little money that will save a bundle later on after the home is constructed.

• If you're planning on having children, for another example, you can have plans that provide a den now (figure B) that can be divided into bedrooms later.

• If you do plan to design your own home you'll need experience in structural engineering and plan drafting (figure C).

Figure D