Example - The usual choice is "(D) Full Plan Package".
A plan with 2000 square feet of Charged Areas would cost $65 setup fee, + $.45 x 2000, + $235 Base Fee = $1135 Design Charge, or $1135/2000 SqFt = 57¢/SqFt. + (PS) Printed Plan Sets = Total Cost
You would pay $65 when work is started, then $267.50, then $267.50, then $267.50 and then $267.50 + (PS) print charge.
Yes, The chart below looks pretty confusing. If you plan to build from these plans then use plan package (D) or (F). If you just need concept plans, appraisal plans, or if you are an experienced contractor, then you should consider plan package (A), (B) or (C). If you are building a house to put on the market for sale then you will need plan package (M) to allow for the additional amenities/views/etc for advertising the property.
As a rule, I do NOT charge by the hour, so Changes made to your floor plan layout don't affect how much your plans will cost!
Face-To-Face Price - You live close by and we meet face-to-face to discuss changes or you choose to use the telephone to work out the design of your house plans.
Internet Price - Virtually all contact is by email or fax. You fill out the form here to start the process (You will get a cost estimate before work is started). Email or fax a sketch of the layout for your house. The initial sketch does not have to be extremely detailed. You will receive the initial layouts from your sketch by email in Chief Architect format. You can examine them in 2D & 3D using the Chief Architect Client Viewer and then email your changes to me. We will likely do this several times before you get the floor plan layout the way you want them.
Charged Areas - You are charged the Full rate for Living Space, Stairwells, Window Wells, unfinished Bonus Rooms, Open Below areas and basements with rooms. There are Reduced rates for Wood Decks, Covered Porches, Garage and Unfinished Basement areas. The Living Space includes heated and storage areas. An attached carport or garage is charged at 55% of the Charged Areas Full rate, but Unattached Garages, storage buildings, etc are charged at the (UG) Plan Package rate.)
Additional Charges: There are additional fixed charges for several items, including: Stairways, Roof Dormers, Bay Windows, Terrain Depiction, Site Plan, REScheck, etc. Those items are listed below the Plan Package's descriptions.
Ownership - After the plans are finished, we will both own them. Both parties will be free to reproduce, modify, sell, etc.
NOTE: I do not offer an architectural stamp or engineered specifications. If you need stamped plans you will need to contact a local engineer to add any necessary detail drawings to the plans and to stamp or certify the drawing plans. Most engineered specifications will be done by the specific manufacturer. i.e. Truss and beam manufacturers. (Most areas require architectural stamps for Commercial plans, not for Residential.)
$65 Setup Fee
+$235 Base Fee
45¢ Sq Ft Charged Areas
+any Additional Charges
+ (PS) Printed Plan Sets
Contractor Plans, Cross Sections, Electrical, exterior details & Detail drawings
Contractor Plans Plus:
Cross Sections, detail drawings, window and door schedules.
Suggested placement of support beams.
See ADDITIONAL CHARGES for reduced rate areas and added charges items.
IMPORTANT: If you need to see the placement of the framing lumber (floor joists and rafters) select Plan (F).
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/4 of total plan cost when roof design is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when print layout work begins
> 1/4 of total plan cost + print charge, when detail drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
Example - The usual choice is "(D) Full Plan Package".
A plan with 2000 square feet of Charged Areas would cost $65 setup fee, + $.45 x 2000, + $235 Base Fee = $1135 Design Charge, or $1135/2000 SqFt = 57¢/SqFt. + (PS) Printed Plan Sets = Total Cost
You would pay $65 when work is started, then $267.50, then $267.50, then $267.50 and then $267.50 + (PS) print charge
Plan Package Comparison | Get your Custom House Plans Online Cost Estimate
$65 Setup Fee
17¢ Sq Ft
Charged Areas
+$235 Base Fee
+Additional Charges (if any)
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
Floor Plans only, intended as a planning tool. Not suitable for construction.
Floor Plan showing wall, doors, windows, cabinets, and built-in fixtures. w/Dimensions
NO: elevations, electrical, details, foundation, site plan or framing plan.
See ADDITIONAL CHARGES for reduced rate areas and added charges items.
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 2/3 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/3 of total plan cost + print charge, when drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
$65 Setup Fee
23¢ Sq Ft
Charged Areas
+$235 Base Fee
+Additional Charges (if any)
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
Floor Plan & Elevations only, intended as a financial planning tool.
Floor Plan w/Dimensions & Elevations
NO: electrical, details, foundation, site plan, framing plan, etc.
See ADDITIONAL CHARGES for reduced rate areas and added charges items.
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/4 of total plan cost when roof design is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when print layout work begins
> 1/4 of total plan cost + print charge, when detail drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
Plan Package Comparison | Get your Custom House Plans Online Cost Estimate
$65 Setup Fee
34¢ Sq Ft
Charged Areas
+$235 Base Fee
+Additional Charges (if any)
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
Basic Construction Plans for the experienced contractor or home owner that does not need any plan Details. (cross section interior views, stair detail, decking detail, etc.)
Appraisal Plans Plus:
Full Dimensions, Foundation plan, window and door schedules.
NO: electrical, cross sections, details or framing plan.
See ADDITIONAL CHARGES for reduced rate areas and added charges items.
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/4 of total plan cost when roof design is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when print layout work begins
> 1/4 of total plan cost + print charge, when detail drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
$65 Setup Fee
45¢ Sq Ft
Charged Areas
+$235 Base Fee
+Additional Charges (if any)
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
Contractor Plans, Cross Sections, exterior details & Detail drawings
Contractor Plans Plus:
Electrical plan, Cross Sections, detail drawings.
Suggested placement of support beams.
See ADDITIONAL CHARGES for reduced rate areas and added charges items.
IMPORTANT: If you need to see the placement of the framing lumber (floor joists and rafters) select Plan (F).
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/4 of total plan cost when roof design is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when print layout work begins
> 1/4 of total plan cost + print charge, when detail drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
Plan Package Comparison | Get your Custom House Plans Online Cost Estimate
$65 Setup Fee
56¢ Sq Ft
Charged Areas
+$235 Base Fee
+Additional Charges (if any)
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
(NOTE: The framing information will be very accurate but please expect that there will be some errors /omissions)
Drawings showing the framing lumber's placement in the house plan and material takeoff in Excel format. (for framing lumber)
This includes everything in the Full Plan Package (D), Plus: These drawings show the placement of floor & ceiling joists & rafters.
Changes CANNOT be made once work on the framing plan begins without additional charges! Make sure your layout and material choices are final before this work is started.
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/4 of total plan cost when roof design is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when print layout work begins
> 1/4 of total plan cost + print charge, when detail drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
$65 Setup Fee
64¢ Sq Ft
Charged Areas
+$235 Base Fee
+Additional Charges (if any)
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
(F) Framing Plan plus additional detail typically requested by builder/seller.
People/Companies requesting plans for un-sold, or 'Market Houses' usually request that amenities be shown/addressed on the plans.
Whereas, on a typical custom plans, room finish, specific fixtures, details on special amenities, etc, are addressed when the home owner fills out the Finish Schedule.
>$65 setup fee when work is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when exterior walls are established (that's when I know the approx sq ft to calculate the plan's total price)
> 1/4 of total plan cost when roof design is started
> 1/4 of total plan cost when print layout work begins
> 1/4 of total plan cost + print charge, when detail drawings are finished and plans are ready to print
$65 + 60¢ Sq Ft
+$235 Base Fee
Plus (PS) Printed Plan Sets
Garage, work shop, storage building, etc. that is not part of a new house plan package.
Everything included in (D) Plan Package.
This is for a simple garage plan...
> Same as (D) Plan Package
Plan Package Comparison | Get your Custom House Plans Online Cost Estimate
(S) Stairway,
Tall Covered Entrance
$95
Additional flat charge for each stairway, basement window well, or covered front entrance
Any set of stairs and landings going from one floor to another floor.
Window wells in basement areas.
Covered front entrance (other than a typical, simple, covered 'porch' that has the same ceiling height as the house's first floor).
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(RD)
Roof Dormer, Bay Windows, Window Wells
$55
Additional charge for each Roof Dormer & each Bay, Bow or Box Window
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(AG)
Attached Garage (with new house plan package)
& Covered Porches
55% of plan SqFt Rate
This is your typical garage that is often included under the main roof structure.
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(UG)
Unattached Garage (with new house plan package)
Same as plan SqFt Rate
Garage, as part of new house plans, that is not attached to house (or attached by a breezeway or short wall section)
Everything included in the selected Plan Package.
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(UB)
Unfinished Basement
55% of plan SqFt Rate
Typical basement areas that do not have any roughed-in or finished rooms.
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(DK)
Decking
Pkg A, B or C 16¢ Sq Ft
Pkg D or F 26¢ Sq Ft
Wood Decking and steps
Wood decking, railing and any landings and stairways going to ground level. (Any set of stairs going from one deck to a deck on a different floor is considered an additional Stairway)
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(ST)
Structural Requirements
$185
Adding the required plan details, and co-ordinate with third parties, if available, to determine the required structural components.
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(RC)
REScheck
$135
To date, 84% of the 50 States have adopted the DOE's Building Energy Code. Follow the link to find out if your state requires the REScheck Compliance Certificate.
click to view Sample Compliance Report
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(SP)
Site Plan
$115
** see trip charge note
Site Plan
Your building lot showing the placement of the house only on your lot. In most cases this is done by your surveyor.
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(T)
Terrain
$95
Show approximate grade around house.
This will be a rough approximation of the grade (ground level) around the house. This may be helpful where the plan has a 'Daylight' or 'Walk-Out' basement.
> Added to the total cost of the Plan Package you selected.
(PS)
Plan Sets
$1.75/page plus $14 S&H
$3.00/page plus $24 S&H
1/4" scale on 24"x36" paper
1/4" scale on 36"x48" paper
(I have yet to design plans for a house that was large enough to need this size sheet.)
Depending on the house size, number of floors and the complexity of the drawing, a typical plan set may contain 10-16 pages. The EXAMPLE plan is an 'F' Plan Package and contains 13 pages. (So 6 sets would cost $1.75 x 13 = $22.75/set x 6 sets = $136.50 + $14 S&H for a total of $150.50 delivered)
(On the other hand, 6 sets of a 10 page plan would cost $119 delivered.)
> If you require printed plans (most people do), you will be billed when your plans are ready to be sent to the print shop...as part of your final payment.
Print your own plans
No Charge
You will receive your plans in Adobe PDF format so you may have them printed at a local print shop.
> After final payment for Custom Drawn House Plans is received.
Third Parties
?
i.e. -Some suppliers and manufacturers may offer assistance with the use or application of their products. -Work with your Engineer (if one is needed) to incorporate his structural specifications in the plans. etc.
** Local Trip Charge Note: Local Jobs within 20 miles: A trip charge of $10 plus $1.40/mile/trip, one way will be added if I need to go to your site, with your approval, to gather information relevant to your plans. There is NO Trip Charge for the initial visit!
