Stock Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by Grinning Weasel Photography
Read: 10 mins.
We’re getting a jump on all the burning questions you might have about our stock plans. From “What are they?” and “What’s the process?” to “How do you make changes?” and “Are the plans ready to submit for permits?”, we’re giving you alll the information that will hopefully make your process a little easier.
What is a PDF?
The PDF is a digital version of the plans which is easy to view and print. It contains all the pages of the plans. It can be printed at home for viewing, but to scale for permitting and construction it can be printed on 36″ x 24″ paper at most printing locations.
Do I get access to the CAD file?
No working files, such as CAD files or SKP files, will be shared or available for purchase.
Can I view more photos of a particular plan?
If the plan you like does not have photos displayed, or a limited amount, it is likely we have not been able to get photographs yet. Please put in your request and we will try and make it happen as soon as possible.
If I share photos of my build, will you share them with the public?
The privacy of our customers is very important to us. When you send or tag us photos of your build or completion, we do not share them with the public unless you specify in writing that we can. If we do share your pictures, all personal information will be removed and/or hidden.
How can I find a house that’s been built with a house plan from your site that I like?
Due to our Privacy Policy, we do not release this information to protect the privacy of our customers. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.
What is your refund policy?
Because of the digital nature of our products, they cannot be returned and are non-refundable once delivered. Be sure to do all your research prior to ordering plans so that you end up with a house plan (and home) that you love.
Can I make changes to a house plan? If so, what changes can I make?
Yes, some of the more commonly requested modifications are:
Wheelchair accessible
Stretching or reducing the square footage of a plan
Foundation type: slab, crawlspace, pier, etc.
Eliminating windows, fireplaces, false dormers
Changing garages from a 2 to 3-car
Changing garage entry location
Reconfiguring kitchen cabinets & appliances
Rearranging interior walls
Changing ceiling heights
Changing exterior surfaces (brick, siding, stucco)
Changing exterior wall framing (2x4 to 2x6)
Changing a foundation type
Changing a roof pitch
Relocating garage door openings / adding or eliminating bays
Adding or eliminating a room
Most modifications can be done by simply adjusting the existing plans. Other modifications require a more comprehensive re-design of the home. Modifications may cost $1,000 or more but represent a huge savings over creating a new plan from scratch.
What is the process for changes?
Prior to purchasing a plan, contact us for an estimate on the changes you’d like done. If you’re happy with the estimate, purchase the plan on our website. We will email you for your information (to be added to the plans) and our Design Service Agreement. Once signed, we will get your project onto the schedule and start working with you. Payment for the plans with changes will be due prior to delivering the plans.
What is the timeline for changes?
Depending on the type or amount of changes, and current client workload, timeline differs per person. Please check with PDCo. on the current design timeline for changes.
Can you modify my plans to meet local building code requirements?
In some cases, yes, but we typically design to meet the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC 2018) standards. The standards are high and meet most codes (and then some) found in North America. Some codes can be eliminated if desired and allowed. Please contact us and we will look into the possibility for your area.
How much does it cost to customize my plan?
Plan modification pricing varies depending on the size of your house and the complexity of the design. Contact us for a quote, it’s quick, easy and free. Remember: you can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledgehammer on the job site.
Can a plan be converted to Metric?
All plans are designed using Imperial measurements (feet and inches) as we are based in North America. But the short answer - yes, all plans can be changed to metric.
What’s included in your plans?
All of our plans contain the basic necessary drawings to be used for the construction of a house. At minimum, your plans will be drawn at ¼” scale and will include:
Foundation Plan: Including support columns, walls and foundation types.
Roof Plan: A bird’s eye view from above showing roof slopes, pitches, down-spouts, etc.
Floor Plan(s): Detailed plans for each floor showing room dimensions, wall partitions, windows, furniture placement, built-ins (not plan view), kitchen layout, etc.
Exterior Elevations: A view of all four sides showing exterior materials and measurements.
Cross Section: A vertical cutaway view of the house from roof to foundation showing details of framing, construction, flooring and roofing.
What’s NOT included in your plans?
Site Plan: Site plan with building envelope and zoning and site analysis. Please purchase the additional service if needed.
Structural Engineering: Our plans do not include engineering or an engineer’s stamp. This service needs to be provided by a local engineer, within the town or city where you are building.
Architectural Stamp: Some cities require that a state-licensed architect review and "seal" a plan. Please consult your contractor and local building department to see if such a review is required.
Interior Design: We show built-ins on the floor plans, such as benches, cabinetry, furniture, fireplaces, etc., but we do not show the elevation view and how it’s designed and built. This will need to be designed by an Interior Designer.
What do the abbreviations on the floor plans stand for?
Some common abbreviations that appear on the floor plans are:
P - Pantry
W.I.C. - Walk in Closet
FP - Fireplace
W/D - Washer/Dryer
D/W - Dishwasher
F - Refrigerator
VLT - Vaulted Ceiling
PDR - Powder Room
Do you plans include my building codes and bylaws?
Each city, state, province and subdivision may have their own set of codes and regulations that have been determined to work best for the area. Our plans are designed to meet the Canadian National Building Code standards from the time and place where the plan was designed, but plans are not generally updated for any specific region. Many areas require additional steps once you have purchased your plans, including site plans, structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) plans, energy code compliance, and local code updates, so be sure to budget for what is needed in your location. You should consult with your local building official before starting your project.
How do I get my plans once they’re purchased?
Once you purchase a house plan on our website, we will email you for your information (to be added to the plans) and our Design Service Agreement. Once signed, we will email you your house plan. If you’ve purchased a plan, and haven’t received an email yet, please contact us.
Is there a time limit for using my house plan?
There is no time limit for building, but there is a limit on bylaws and building codes. They are constantly changing so that might need to be updated prior to submitting for permits.
How do I choose the right plan for my new home?
Find a Plan that You Love
Begin with the square footage or the number of bedrooms that are desired. If you find you like two different plans, send us an email and we will look at adapting one of the plans to include the features of the other.Choose a Plan That Suits Your Land
It can be very expensive to haul in dirt or grade a lot to make it suitable for a plan. It's better to make the house fit the land rather than try to make the land fit the house. Also, the size and shape of your lot affects the type of home you can build on the lot.Exteriors Are Easy to Change
The changes to an exterior can be so dramatic that you won't realize you are looking at the same house. To change the exterior, you can use different windows, modify rooflines, and change exterior details. Don't judge a home by its appearance; It's the inside that really counts. After all, you'll spend 90% of your time inside your home.Be Open Minded
Don't quickly discard houses; It's important to be open-minded when looking at stock house plans because you’ll be amazed how easy it is to modify a plan to make it suit your lifestyle and vision.
Why should I buy a stock plan vs. a custom plan?
You can achieve cost savings of up to 90% over custom house plans. It may take hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to design a home from scratch. A ready-made plan saves you time and money - and can be modified to suit your needs.
Many pre-drawn plans have been previously built, and most have had the construction problems resolved. This translates into far fewer design headaches and reduced labor costs for you at the time of building your plan.
When working with a ready-made house plan, final cost estimates are more accurate because details, such as generating a materials list (check availability), are already taken into account. Savvy customers dedicate most of their budget towards high-quality building materials and home amenities, instead of losing the bulk of their budget to engage an expensive architect to design, re-design, and prepare working drawings for contractor bids - only to learn that the cost of building the house exceeds their budget.
Ready-made house plans have the same high-quality design specs as custom plans, because many plans were originally created as custom plans by skilled architects and home designers.
Speedy delivery of your plans - within a few days, instead of a few months, you'll have your construction documents in hand.
Whichever your decision - stock or custom - the right house plan is waiting for you!
Hope that helps! Do you have any questions that we didn’t list here that you'd like us to answer? Let us know in the comments or email us at pottsdesignco@gmail.com and we’ll add it to the list!