FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.) What is Included In a Plan Package?
2.) What is Included In The Total Square Footage for Home Plans?
5.) How Many Sets Of Home Plans Will I Need?
6.) Can I Build in Reverse of the Home Plan?
7.) Can we Increase or Decrease the Window Size?
9.) Can We Increase or Decrease the Square Footage of the Design?
10.) Can We Choose a Different Exterior Finish?
11.) Can I Make Changes to the Design?
13.) Can I Get an Address Where this Home Plan Has Been Built, So I Can See the Finished Home?
14.) Do You Have A Photograph of the Plan I am Interested In?
15.) Can We Replace the Actual Garage with a Carport?
16.) Can We Design a Different Kichen Layout?
17.) Can We Increase or Decrease the Square Footage of the Design?
18.) Can You Change or Modify the Roof?
19.) Can I Return The Plans If I Change My Mind?
20.) Are Basement Plans Included?
21.) Can We have the Plan in Metric Version?
22.) Are Mechanical Details Included With the Plans?
23.) Is a Blueprint License Transferable Even I Did Not Build the House?
25.) Are the Home Plans Copyrighted?
1.) What is included in a plan package?
Each set of house plans that we offer includes
all the details required for the construction of your home:
Detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, foundation plans, roof plans, details.
2.) What is included in the total square footage for home plans?
The total square footage includes all of the area inside the exterior face of the walls. It does not include garages, porches, bonus rooms, basements, attics, fireplaces, lanais or decks. For this reason, you cannot multiply the listed dimensions of each room, add them together and come up with the total square footage because you are not including hallways, closets, etc. Basement square footage is optional and not yet included in the total square footage. Basement plans are available for most of our house plans especially on 2-1/2 storey with garage located in the basement.
3.) What is a Vellum Paper?
Vellum is a type of translucent erasable paper that allows the builder or any professional architect or designer to make some changes on the print itself in order to comply with municipality by law and modification for owner convenience. A vellum comes with a license that permits modification of a plan. That license is available only with the purchase of a vellum set.
4.) What are CAD files?
A complete set of home plans in an electronic file format. You would want to consider this if you are planning on making substantial changes to your home plans and a professional in your area is available to make the changes. Not in all of our home plans we offer this option, so check to make sure it is available. A CAD set includes a copyright release allowing you to make changes and legally make copies of this copyrighted home plan. It does not, however, give you the license to build more than one home from the plan without a Multi-Use Construction License. Please contact UrbanHousePlans.com if you wish to build more than once.
5.) How many sets of home plans will I need?
The number of sets you will need can vary depending on you and your builder’s specific needs. Besides a set for yourself, you may need to turn a set in to your home builder, subcontractors, mortgage lender, and local building office. Many customers purchase the standard package of 5 sets or the 8 set package. These two packages are good for those that are going to build the home as is with little modification. The package we recommend the most is the Reproducible Media. Reproducible Media is a single set of either erasable vellum copy that is used when you want to make changes to a plan. A Release of Copyright letter allowing you to make copies of the original or changed home plans, which are then used to construct the home, accompanies each Reproducible Media.
6.) Can I build in reverse of the home plan?
All of our home plans are available also in reverse right reading format with all the text reading correctly. Just contact us if you wish to request a reverse plan, which are computer reversed. For that service there is an extra charge.
7.) Can we increase or decrease the window size?
In general it is usually possible to change the window sizes on the front and the back of the home, subject of course to local building codes. On the sides of the home however it is difficult to say, as on small lots in particular there are generally restrictions regarding the total amount of window area. This usually depends on the distance from the side of the home to the property line limiting distance. On bigger lots, you can substantially increase the window size as much as you need with the approval of a structural engineer. Please call or email us to discuss your particular situation
8.) What is a Mirror Reverse?
A Mirror reverse is a mirrored image of the home plan, with the text appearing backwards. In many municipalities, you cannot obtain a building permit with the Mirror Reverse Plan, so when ordering, we recommend only ordering one or two sets with the mirror reverse option.
9.) Can we increase or decrease the square footage of the design?
It is possible to increase or reduce the square footage of any design. If your local building by-law would allow you to do that. Please ask for a professional to assist you or contact us to discuss the matter and the quote for any additional charges.
10.) Can we choose a different exterior finish?
Yes, you can change the exterior finish shown on our plan, if you wish to do that and the local building authority allows you to do that. Only if you wish to use bricks or natural stone which are not shown on our plans, please consider the thickness of the materials to add to the overall dimensions of the house and the additional square footage. Check anyway with your municipal authority prior to any changes.
11.) Can I make changes to the design?
Yes you can modify all our plans to meet your specific need.
Minor changes can be made by your builder. Only a professional architect or designer should make major changes. If it is difficult for you to find these professionals in your area we also can make all the changes you need to customize our plans for an additional fee that will be discussed and finalized by contacting us by phone or email.
12.) Can we add a garage?
If it is attached to the house, same time it is possible if your lot is normal one or if it is contained inside the building envelope established by your local building by law.
13.) Can I get an address where this home plan has been built, so I can see the finished home?
We do not have the address where the hoome was built. We collect your billing and shipping addresses not the address where the home will be built. All of our customers' personal information (including yours) is held in the strictest confidence.
14.) Do you have a photograph of the plan I am interested in?
If we do have a photo of the plan that you are inquiring about, it will be displayed online on the individual plan page. (Please note: The photographs posted online may differ from the actual plans, depending on the modifications performed by the owner/builder).
15.) Can we replace the actual garage with a carport?
Yes, we can change the actual garage with the same size (length, width and height) carport. For all of our house plans having not an attached garage, we can provide on request an appropriate 2 or 3 detached car garage matching the style of chosen house plan in particular roof angle, exterior material finish and windows. Please contact our office by phone or email for more information.
16.) Can we design a different kitchen layout?
Before you start building you can, in particular before any plumbing work is made. Your cabinet maker can help you to design any kind of layout you like.
17.) What is included in the Total Square Footage for home plans?
The total square footage includes all of the area inside the exterior face of the walls. It does not include garages, porches, bonus rooms, or decks. For this reason, you cannot multiply the listed dimensions of each room, add them together and come up with the total square footage because you are not including hallways, closets, etc. Likewise, basement square footage is optional and not yet included in the total square footage.
18.) Can You Change or Modify the Roof?
Yes, you can change the shape of your roof only if a professional designer or architect makes these changes.
19.) Can I return the plans if I change my mind?
No. Since it is possible to make illegal copies of the home 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 home plan.
20.) Are basement plans included?
No, basement of any type is included in 2 floor plan packages, it is only optional. If you wish to have one, you should specify if you like a full or partial basement or only a crawl space. There is no extra charge if you opt for a crawl space or unfinished basement (all our plans are drawn with full unfinished basement) in which is shown only the outside walls and inside bearing walls. If you instead opt for a finished basement in which are shown all partition walls, staircase, doors, windows, bathrooms, kitchen layouts etc., contact our office for the cost of that service.
21.) Can we have the plan in metric version?
Yes. we can provide you with a metric version of each plan shown on our site. Contact us to discuss the matter and to quote for an additional charges.
22.) How long does it take to get my plans?
It all depends on when the order is placed and what method of shipping is chosen. In most cases, we can ship out the plans within 48 hours. If you require any modifications to the plan, or a reversal, the time varies depending on the complexity. Please call with the plan code/number and we can let you know when to expect your plans!
22.) Are Mechanical Details Included With the Plans?
Mechanical diagrams are not included with most home plans. They are not needed for typical construction, and vary drastically among regions/countries depending on local codes.
23.) Is a blueprint license transferable even if I did not build the house?
No - When a plan set is ordered, the license issued bears the name of the person that ordered the plan and the license is not transferable for any reason.
24.) What are the options when the chosen plan does not correspond to the municipality or state regulations?
You can buy a reproducible (vellum) and/or a CAD file and have a local engineer, architect, or a professional designer to change the plan on accordance to the municipality regulations and by-law.
25.) Are the home plans copyrighted?
Yes. All illustrations and plans contained on this website are the exclusive property of UrbanHousePlans.com. Law strictly prohibits reproduction in whole or in part only. One dwelling may be constructed from a construction set purchased. Home plans may not be resold or copied. We strive for accurate representation of renderings and plans and will not be responsible for errors or omissions in this publication. Strict penalties will be enforced for violators of copyright laws. For more copyright information, click here.