If you want to build a project plan such as a deck, gazebo, garage, or doghouse, there are some easy-to-access resources that will help you with the construction process. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, you may want to consult one or more of the following resources:

1. Local Construction Professionals – Take some time to contact local construction professionals to discuss your project. These people include your local building official, building inspector, general contractor, carpenter, and other sub-contractors.

2. Lumberyard Staff – Visit your local lumberyard and talk to the professionals at the contractor’s desk. They are especially knowledgeable about building materials.

3. Family and Friends – Talk with family and friends who have built a project similar to the one you are considering building. They can share knowledge based on their own experiences. Family and friends will be able to tell you what went well, what did not go well, what they would change if they were to build the project again, etc.

4. Use the Internet – There are many helpful websites designed to relay construction information to the consumer.

Our plans are designed to meet the national building codes in place at the time each plan is created. However, we DO NOT guarantee the plans will meet all local building codes. Due to the wide range of building codes and zoning requirements in cities, counties, municipalities, and states/provinces throughout the United States and Canada, it is possible the construction drawings may not include all the information required by your local building department. It may be necessary to hire a local design professional or engineer/architect to adjust the plans and bring them up to local building code.

Our construction drawings will not be engineered for your specific city, state, county, or province, and they will not include an engineer's/architect's seal or stamp (engineering requirements). Engineering (or a BCIN) is a local requirement. Often, engineering requirements are influenced by climactic and geographic elements that are specific to the area where you plan to build, making them local requirements. If you need engineering or an engineer’s/architect’s review, seal, or stamp, to obtain building permits, it will be up to you or your builder to hire a local engineer/architect to review and seal/stamp the plans. This professional must be licensed in the state/province where the structure will be built. We recommend finding someone who can help you with this before you purchase plans.

The following is a list of the information included in a typical set of construction drawings (when applicable.) Information will vary by plan.

Coversheet – The cover sheet is an artist’s rendering of the finished project plan. Typically, this page is not needed for construction but rather offers a visual representation of what the project will look like when construction is complete. Not all designers provide a cover sheet with their project plans.

Foundation Plan – The foundation page is a detailed drawing of the foundation and includes necessary information such as the thickness of foundation walls, floor joist sizes and spacing, column locations and other pertinent construction details and notes.

Floor Plan – Depending on the size of the project plan, there may be one or more floor plan pages. The floor plan pages provide the layout and construction for each floor of the structure. In general, these pages include room dimensions, window and door locations, wall sizes, notes about ceiling details and design, and other notes and details regarding layout and construction.

Basic Electric – Basic electrical information can be found on the floor plan page or on a separate page. This information reflects the suggested locations of switches, fixtures, and outlets when applicable.

Simple Plumbing – Simple plumbing information is found either on the floor plan page or on a separate page of the blueprint. This information shows placement and locations of bathtubs, toilets, showers and sinks when applicable.

Interior Elevations – When applicable, the interior elevations page describes and provides details and drawings about the built-in elements of finished living space such as, vanities, kitchen cabinets, fireplaces, moldings, handrails, and built-in bookshelves or niches.

Exterior Elevations – The purpose of the exterior elevations page is to describe the look and feel of the structure’s exterior finish. It provides views of the structure on all four sides and calls out the type and placement of finish and trim materials including brick, siding, stone, stucco, roof shingles, and decorative elements like window shutters. Other details may be provided on this page as well, like roof pitches and ceiling heights. In some instances, window and door sizes are included.

Details – Construction details may be found on a separate page of the blueprint or on various pages throughout. The details communicate information about how smaller elements should be constructed such as, the design of the handrail spindles, the sizes and styles of moldings and other trim used throughout, and the look of the fireplace or built-in cabinets.

Sections – Project plan sections may be a separate page in the construction drawings, or they may be found on various pages throughout. In general, they are views of the structure showing the elements and composition of the foundation, exterior and interior walls, roofs, floors, and stair details. These drawings show the relationship between floors and indicate ceiling heights and rooflines.

Note: Not all stock project plans incorporate every element described here. Blueprint pages vary by designer and plan number.

There are a few options for modifying or changing a plan. Many of the project plans offered on our website can be modified with the help of our modification service. If you see the “Modify this Plan” link at the top of the plan page, our team will be happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote for your changes before you purchase plans. All requests for changes must be submitted in writing using the modification request form. Simply click on the “Modify this Plan” to complete and submit the required form.

Learn more about our modification service.

Another option is to hire a local design professional to modify the construction drawings. When you purchase a PDF, CAD file, or reproducible master plan package (depending on availability,) you will receive a copyright release granting legal permission to modify the original copyrighted construction drawings. NOTE: This option is the best option for customers who wish to modify a plan that does not have modification services available through the “Modify this Plan” link.

Finally, sometimes, your builder or contractor can make minor changes on site. You should discuss any changes you want to make with your builder before construction begins. In some cases, your builder can make changes without the extra expense of having the original construction drawings changed.