| Q: | Can a plan be converted to metric?
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| A: | Yes, home plans can typically be converted to utilize the metric system. To request a quote for this modification, please download and complete the Modification Request Form available at Modification Request Form
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Once completed, the form may be emailed to customize@designamerica.com
. You may also contact our customer service team directly by phone at 1-877-620-9190 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
Modification quotes are generally provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | What is included with the blueprints?
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| A: | We collaborate with hundreds of designers and architects, each bringing their own unique style, so plan packages may vary in the details they include. For this reason, we are happy to review the specific contents of any plan you’re considering purchasing.
We can be reached via email, customerservice@designamerica.com, or phone, 1-877-620-9190. We are available Monday – Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
Most plans will include the following:
Coversheet - The coversheet has a rendering showing the house as it will look when it is built. In most cases this is not required for house construction. The purpose of the coversheet is to give the homeowner a visual representation of how the home will look when it is completed.
Foundation plan - The foundation plan is used to show how the foundation should be built. It explains the thickness of the foundation walls, floor joist sizes and spacing, column locations, window/door/vent locations and sizes, suggested furnace/water heater locations, plumbing (where required) and miscellaneous construction details related to the foundation and basement.
Floor plans - The floor plans of the home indicate the layout/construction of each floor of the house. Items typically included are room dimensions, wall sizes, plumbing/electrical locations, stair locations, door/window sizes, kitchen and bath layouts, ceiling conditions in each space, flooring, structural information and any special conditions related to the floor plan.
Elevations - The elevation sheets communicate the material/dimensions that the designer envisioned, creating the correct look and feel on the outside of the house. Some of the items typically shown on an elevation sheet include materials used on the exterior of the house, size and shape of windows and doors, size and shape of vents, size of the trim, height and dimensions of various elements, depth of foundations, types of shingles and moldings, pitch of the roof, placement of materials (example: brick soldier course, brick quoins, etc.), roof plan, and location of gutters and downspouts.
Details - The details include an explanation of how the smaller items are to be designed and constructed. Examples include the dimensions and appearance of a stair handrail, room moldings, design of railing spindles for staircases, and description of how a fireplace should look. The designer may add details for anything a builder needs to understand the design of the house.
Sections - The sections show how the parts of the building fit together. Typical sections include walls, fireplace, and stairs. The designer may add sections in a set for anything a builder needs to understand about the construction of the house.
Interior Elevations - The interior elevations show pictures of key interior features should look. Typical items and areas that are drawn include fireplaces, kitchens, and bathrooms.
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| Q: | Does the total heated square footage include everything under the roof?
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| A: | No, total heated square footage includes only the areas of the home served by a heating system, such as living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Areas such as garages, porches, screened rooms, unfinished basements, and attics are not included in the heated square footage calculation.
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| Q: | Do all stock plans require additional engineering, stamping, or sealing?
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| A: | Many jurisdictions follow the International Residential Code (IRC) as their primary building standard. However, additional engineering requirements are often applied in areas with special site conditions, such as hurricane-prone regions, high wind zones, or urban lots with limited setbacks.
Stamping or sealing requirements are typically imposed in jurisdictions with supplemental local code amendments. In these cases, a stamp or seal serves as confirmation that the plans have been reviewed by a licensed professional and, when necessary, adapted to comply with local building code.
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| Q: | How can I find out what the roof pitch, ridge height and ceiling height are for a particular plan?
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| A: | Our customer service team is happy to assist you with obtaining plan details and additional information. You may contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | Do stock plans meet my local codes?
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| A: | Predesigned stock blueprints are developed in accordance with the national building code (IRC). However, local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements or amendments to these standards. For example, the state of California requires new home plans to incorporate residential fire sprinkler systems.
We strongly recommend consulting your local building department, builder, and homeowners’ association (HOA) prior to purchasing plans to determine whether any modifications or supplemental documentation will be required. Many building departments also provide online resources outlining their specific permitting and construction requirements.
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| Q: | How do I find out the snow/wind loads of a particular plan?
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| A: | Our customer service team is happy to assist you with obtaining plan details and additional information. You may contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | How can I get my plans stamped or sealed?
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| A: | We recommend contacting your local building department or consulting with your builder to determine whether a stamp or seal is required in your area. In jurisdictions where this is necessary, builders typically collaborate with qualified professionals who provide these services.
Your local building department may also be able to supply a list of approved or recommended professionals. Additionally, you may wish to conduct an online search for licensed architects or structural engineers practicing in your region.
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| Q: | How do I customize my plans?
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| A: | To request customization of your plans, you may download the Modification Request Form from our website
and submit the completed form by emailing it to customize@designamerica.com
. You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190 to request a quote. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, and modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
In addition, you may choose to purchase a PDF or CAD file, which includes a copyright release permitting plan modifications. These files can then be shared with your selected designer or structural engineer to complete any desired changes.
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| Q: | Do stock blueprints show the framing, floor joists, and roof construction details?
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| A: | Stock house plans typically include examples of wall framing, floor joist direction, and basic roof framing details; however, they rarely provide a complete framing layout for the entire structure. Unlike our Do-It-Yourself series of shed and garage plans, residential house plans are intended for use by professional builders and contractors who are familiar with standard construction practices, local building codes, and framing requirements.
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| Q: | Do the stock plans include plumbing, HVAC, and electrical?
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| A: | Most stock plans do include limited information regarding plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems, such as the location of sinks and outlets, but complete mechanical drawings are only available via custom design services because many aspects are building-site specific.
Site conditions and utility availability can vary significantly from one property to another. For example, some homes utilize well water, septic systems, or solar power, while others connect to municipal utilities that may enter the property from different directions. Additional factors, including local building codes, water pressure, water quality, climate conditions, and regional construction standards, can influence requirements such as pipe sizing and materials, outlet configurations, HVAC system capacity, and vent placement.
In many areas, licensed subcontractors are permitted to complete these systems during construction. Where additional mechanical drawings are required for permitting, the subcontractor performing the work will often finalize the necessary plans and submit them to the local building department.
For this reason, paper blueprint packages are commonly offered in a minimum quantity of five sets, allowing copies to be distributed to subcontractors as needed throughout the construction process.
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| Q: | What if the plan would work better on my site if it were reversed?
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| A: | Mirror Reverse and Right Reading Reverse (RRR) are optional plan modifications that allow the orientation of a home design to be flipped to better accommodate a specific lot or site layout. Common reasons for selecting one of these options include positioning the garage to match neighboring homes or orienting the main living areas toward a preferred scenic view.
A Mirror Reverse option simply flips the entire set of plans, including all text, dimensions, and notations. Because all wording and numbering will appear reversed, we recommend purchasing at least one standard, non-mirrored set for easier reference during construction.
Right Reading Reverse (RRR) plans are also mirrored; however, the designer manually adjusts all text, dimensions, and annotations so the plans can be read normally while still reflecting the reversed layout.
Alternative orientation options will appear during checkout.
If an option is not listed, you may download the Modification Request Form from our website and submit the completed form by emailing it to customize@designamerica.com . You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190 to request a quote. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, and modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | What is Mirror Reverse and Right Reading Reverse (RRR)?
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| A: | Mirror Reverse and Right Reading Reverse (RRR) are optional plan modifications that allow a home design to be reversed in orientation to better suit a specific lot or site layout. These options are often selected to align features such as garage placement with neighboring homes or to orient key living spaces toward desirable views.
A Mirror Reverse option flips the entire plan set, including text, dimensions, and annotations. Because all information appears reversed, it is generally recommended to purchase at least one standard (non-mirrored) set for ease of reference during construction. This option is typically executed at the time of printing or within PDF software.
A Right Reading Reverse (RRR) plan also reverses the layout; however, all text, dimensions, and notes are professionally adjusted so the plans remain readable in standard orientation while still reflecting the mirrored design.
If a desired orientation option is not available during checkout, you may submit a request by downloading the Modification Request Form from our website and emailing the completed form to customize@designamerica.com
. You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, and modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | What is 2x4 and 2x6 framing?
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| A: | Most home plans are designed with standard 2x4 wall framing, with 2x6 framing commonly available as an upgrade option. Increasing the depth of the wall studs between the interior and exterior walls provides additional space for insulation, which can improve energy efficiency. It also enhances the strength of load-bearing walls and allows for deeper window and door openings. However, upgrading to 2x6 framing may also increase overall construction costs.
We recommend consulting your local building department or builder to determine whether 2x6 wall framing is required in your area.
Existing framing specifications are listed on each plan’s detail page, and available alternative framing options will appear during checkout.
If an alternative framing option is not listed, you may download the Modification Request Form from our website and submit the completed form by emailing it to customize@designamerica.com . You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190 to request a quote. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, and modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | Can I get a different foundation than the standard option listed?
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| A: | Some plans offer alternative foundation options that can be purchased directly. Any available direct-purchase foundation variations will be listed on the individual plan page.
If your required foundation type is not shown, you may download the Modification Request Form from our website and submit the completed form by emailing it to customize@designamerica.com . You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190 to request a quote. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, and modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | If a house is shown with siding or stucco, can I change it to brick or vice versa?
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| A: | Yes, most exterior finish modifications can typically be made without creating structural issues. Modern brick homes are generally constructed using brick veneer, meaning they are framed with wood or steel in the same manner as other residential homes. However, homes designed with brick exteriors require a foundation with an extended brick ledge to properly support the additional weight of the masonry. If converting from brick to another exterior material—or vice versa—this ledge may need to be added or removed accordingly.
We recommend contacting your local building department or consulting with your builder to determine whether your blueprints must be revised to reflect these changes.
Customers residing in areas where revised plans are required may request a modification quote by downloading the Modification Request Form from our website and submiting the completed form to customize@designamerica.com . You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190 to request a quote. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, and modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | Are Electrical, Framing, and Plumbing Kit Packages specific to the blueprint I order and what do these packages consist of?
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| A: | No, kit packages are not designed for a specific home plan. Many aspects of a home’s electrical and plumbing systems are site specific so, including such elements would require customization services. These kits are intended to serve as instructional guides, providing details for constructing various foundations, numerous floor, wall and roof framing techniques, simple to complex residential wiring, sump and softener hookups, plumbing connection methods, installation of septic systems and more.
Each package also includes three-dimensional illustrations and a glossary of terms.
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