The internet offers a plethora of websites that provide house plans and each of these sites has hundreds, if not thousands of plans for a consumer to browse and select from. Before you embark on this adventure, be sure you are prepared! Knowing some basic facts about home plans will help you narrow your search and save time browsing those mounds of plans online. Before the first click of the mouse it is always good to have a general idea of what you are looking for in your new home.

Having a general idea of what you are looking for in your new home can save you hours online. Knowing an approximate square footage, the width and depth of your lot, the number of bedrooms, baths and additional rooms you will want as well as a style of home is always helpful in narrowing your search. Most professional websites offer search engines that allow you to narrow your search by many of these features. It is important to familiarize yourself with blueprint requirements for the area in which you will be building your new home. To obtain this information you can contact your builder or local building permit office. Having this information will help you determine if the plan you select will be accepted as is or if small modifications may be necessary before you purchase the plan. It is not necessary to know exactly what you want because part of the fun is seeing what is available but a general idea will cut your browsing time.

The most important factor in selecting a house plan is the designer's credentials. It is always recommended that a consumer select a designer who is a Professional Member of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) or a Licensed Architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Members of the AIBD & AIA usually post the AIBD or AIA symbol on their website along with their additional credentials such as Certified Professional Building Designer, or CPBD. Certified Building Designers will be registered with the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC). In many cases, a designer may also be a homebuilder, which is always an added bonus. For more information on Professional credentials visit AIBD.org or AIA.org. For Certification standards visit NCBDC.com.

Once you have a general idea of what you are looking for and find a professional designer or architect online, you are ready to browse! The best way to find house plans online is to use the keyword "house plans" in a search engine such as www.google.com. Once you enter your keyword the search engine will produce a listing of various house plan websites for you to browse. The majority of professional websites will have a searchable database or a directory which will break available plans up according to square footage, style and so on. This makes it easier for you to browse a designer's stock house plan selections. Once you have searched through a designer's plans and find a plan you like it is important to keep the following list of facts in mind:

Determine if the plan you select is just right
~Many designers offer modifications to their stock house plans so if you see a plan you like but would like to change a few things to make it work better for you always ask the designer if modifications are available. This is an economical alternative to custom home design.

Know what to expect in a set of blueprints
~A complete set of blueprints should include:
1. Foundation Plan: Concrete slab, crawl space, basement, etc.
2. Detailed Floor Plans: Placement of exterior walls, room dimensions, doors, windows, fireplace and stairway location (if applicable), and electrical outlet locations.
3. Exterior Elevations: Front, rear and side views of the house with detailed measurements and exterior requirements.
4. Cabinet details: Details of all cabinets, fireplaces, built-in units and other interior features.
5. Cross Sections: Cross section details of the home, flooring, insulation and roofing construction.
6. Roof Plans: Rafter, dormer, gable and other feature layouts.
7. Specifications: Recommendations for materials and equipment such as structural specifications, masonry work, concrete work, wood specifications, excavating and grading, drywall, flooring, caulking, glazing and sealants.

~Additional materials offered by some designers:
   1. Material List: Detailed listing of structural materials needed to construct your new home. This does not include any amenities such as paint, flooring and appliances. This list is a good tool for obtaining an estimate on building materials from suppliers.
   2. Right Reading Reverse Plans: These are full reverse sets of a particular house plan. If you see a home you like but need it reversed to fit your lot or your preference, many designers do offer a right reading reverse for a small additional charge. Mirror reverse plans are usually available as well however, The writing on these plans will be backwards.
   3. Reproducible Prints: If a designer does not offer modifications or you need special modifications to a plan for your particular area, designers may offer a reproducible print that can be purchased and taken to a local designer for modifications.

Determine how many blueprints you will need
~ Your financing, builder and where you are building your home will determine how many sets of blueprints you will need. For a handy blueprint calculator click here.

Ordering your new house plan
~Before you order your new house plan be sure that you check with your builder to insure that the plans you are ordering are suitable for your lot and/or the land in your region. Modifications may be required to meet your local building code requirements. Local requirements can be obtained from your local building permit office.

The above article is intended to assist you with your home plan search. Each designer has his or her own unique style and presentation of their designs however; the basics noted above should be included in a standard set of stock blueprints. Having an idea of what you want in your new home, selecting a professional designer and knowing what to expect from the blueprints you purchase will save you time and money during the home plan selection process. As always, I encourage each person searching for a blueprint to ask questions! Designers are always more than happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about a particular plan.