FAQs

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 project plans are grouped into categories or plan styles, making it easy to find the type of project plan you desire. There are links to the various project plan categories on our home page for your convenience. If you are not sure what type of project plan you desire, we recommend browsing our collection using these pre-determined plan categories.

The Project Plan Shop offers a variety of plan packages and useful supplemental items. The plan packages and any supplemental items available for a specific plan number are listed and described on that plan’s respective webpage. Pricing for each available plan package and supplemental item is listed here as well. NOTE: Available plan packages and supplemental items vary by plan number.

The complexity and size of your project will determine the number of sets of plans you will need for construction. Small projects, such as a birdhouse, will only require one set of plans while larger projects such as a room addition or a garage plan will require multiple sets of plans or possibly an electronic version of the construction drawings.

The number of sets of construction drawings and the plan format (paper/printed sets or electronic files) you will need to build your project depends on you and your builder's specific needs. As the owner, you should have a set of plans for yourself (either a paper/printed set or an electronic file in PDF or CAD format). Check with your builder to find out if he/she will need paper/printed sets of plans or electronic plans (PDF or CAD file). Also, ask the builder what will be required by the subcontractors. Typically, the mortgage lender and building inspector will require a set of construction drawings along with your local building department when you apply for building permits. It will be necessary to confirm with each person/entity what they require to ensure you have the proper format for each.

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.

A reproducible master is one complete, printed set of construction drawings that comes with a copyright release granting legal permission to modify the designer’s original copyrighted design. If you would like to make simple changes to the construction drawings, the reproducible master may accommodate your needs. This allows your builder or a local residential designer to make necessary changes to the plans by hand without investing the time or money it would take to completely redraw the stock plan or create a custom design from scratch. When your changes are completed, you can make the copies needed to build the structure. You will need to take the copyright release with you to the print/copy shop. The copyright release does not give you the right to build the structure more than one time with the same set of construction drawings. Not all designers offer the reproducible master, so check for availability. (Note: While some designers print reproducible masters on erasable vellum paper, others print the plans on bond paper, and it is necessary to use White Out to make changes.)

A CAD file is a complete set of construction drawings in an electronic file format. If you want to make substantial changes to your project plans, a CAD file is recommended. It will be necessary to hire a qualified design professional to make changes to the electronic files. A copyright release is included with the CAD file allowing you to legally make changes to the copyrighted plans and print the copies needed for construction. In most cases, it can be emailed to you within one to two business days of placing your order during regular business hours, Monday – Friday. Please be aware that some of our designers require customers to sign and return a license agreement before the electronic file will be emailed to the customer. Note: CAD software is required to open CAD files. CAD files are not available for all plans. CAD files are non-returnable once the designer has emailed the file to you.

The PDF plan package is an electronic version of the construction drawings that comes with a copyright release granting legal permission to modify and print the plans. It allows you to make minor changes to the plans and reproduce the number of paper sets necessary for obtaining bids and permits, as well as the copies needed for construction of your project. In most cases, the PDF can be emailed to you within one to two business days of placing your order during regular business hours, Monday – Friday. Simply take the electronic file to a local print shop to have your construction drawings printed. Note: PDF files are not available for all plans, and they are non-returnable once the designer has emailed the file to you.

The stock plans published by The Project Plan Shop are designed to meet national building codes, but they do not necessarily meet any specific state, county, or municipal codes. Therefore, these construction drawings do not include extensive HVAC, plumbing and electrical details. Information about your HVAC system will depend on the size of the structure, the types of units you use, local climate, and common practices for your area. Ductwork will be defined by your local building codes and the type of heating and cooling system you choose. Be sure to discuss all HVAC with your builder and HVAC contractor before construction begins.

Plumbing fixtures are included in the construction drawings showing the kitchen and bath fixture symbols and locations only. The flow of water lines and sewer system is site specific and must be determined locally. Take time to discuss plumbing details with your builder and plumber before construction begins. They should be able to provide you with the necessary information based on your local building codes.

A basic electrical plan reflecting suggested locations of outlets, fixtures, and switches is often included in the construction drawings, but not always. Availability of this information varies by designer and by plan number. It is essential that you review all electrical details with your contractor and local electrician to ensure local codes are met.

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 total finished square footage of our project plans includes all the area inside the exterior face of the “heated walls,” meaning only the heated living space. The total square footage does not include garages, porches, screened porches, decks, future spaces, unfinished loft areas, attic space, or bonus rooms. Be aware that the dimensions listed for each room cannot be calculated and added together to come up with the total square footage of the design because smaller spaces such as closets and hallways are not shown on the spec floor plans published on this website.

Yes. All project plans published by The Project Plan Shop are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced. The construction drawings can only be copied if a PDF, CAD file, or reproducible master is purchased. These plan packages come with a copyright release granting legal permission to change the plans and make copies of them. Also, all project plans and illustrations published at The Project Plan Shop are the exclusive property of The HousePlanShop, LLC and the designers and architects represented on this website. Only one structure may be built from the plan package you purchase. These project plans may not be copied or resold. Copyright laws strictly prohibit the reproduction in whole or in part of any project plan or illustration on this site. We strive for accurate representation of the project floor plans and renderings we publish and will not be responsible for errors or omissions on this site.

Building codes are safety regulations and guidelines dictating how a building should be constructed in a particular area. These codes range from nationally recognized guidelines to specific municipal/city/county building laws and ordinances. Building codes are set in place and adhered to as a means of protecting the builder and the buyer of a project or other structure. Many of the building rules and regulations in a particular geographic region or area are based upon elements specific to that area such as weather conditions like temperature and precipitation, and soil conditions. All the project plans published on this website were designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the nationally recognized building code in effect at the time and place each plan was drawn. Typically, construction drawings designed after the year 2000 conform to the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC is composed of portions of the four major building codes listed below. Project plans drawn before 2000 conform to one of these four building codes in effect at the time of creation.

• BOCA (Building Officials & Code Administrators)
• CABO (Council of American Building Officials)
• ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials)
• SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International)

Each state, city, county, municipality, or township follows some form of one or any combination of these residential building codes. Please check with your local building department or a building official in the area in which you plan to build to learn more about the required building codes for your area.

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.

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.

In general, a material list is a complete list of the building materials needed to construct pool house, shed, room addition, or other project. It calls out the sizes and quantities of building materials needed for construction such as lumber, doors, windows, drywall, exterior finishes, and more. Appliances, HVAC, foundation materials, rough plumbing, and other various interior finishing materials may not be included. Note: The material lists offered on our website only include the materials for the base plan with the standard wall framing and foundation options (those offered at no extra charge). The materials for alternate wall framing and foundation options available for an extra charge will not be included in the material list. Additionally, please be aware the materials included in material lists vary by designer.

Material lists are available for some plans published on The Project Plan Shop website. If a material list is available for a specific plan number, it will be listed on the plan page under the “Additional Options” heading for an additional charge. When a material list is not available, we recommend checking with a local lumberyard. Most lumberyards will create a material list for you at no charge when you supply the lumberyard with a copy of your construction drawings. Note: Material lists are only available with the purchase of a plan package for the same plan number.

No. Material lists are only available with the purchase of a plan package for the project plan of the same plan number.

In general, a material list is not necessary to build your project plan, although they can be a handy tool. A material list indicates the quantities and sizes of the materials needed to build your desired project. They will save your contractor the time it takes to create a materials list from scratch and will allow you to obtain accurate material bids from lumberyards in a short amount of time.

The right reading reverse option will flip the floor plan(s) from left to right with all symbols, text, and notes reading correctly. If you order a right reading reverse project plan, all sets in the plan package will be shipped in right reading reverse. Availability is noted on the plan page. Note: Your order will be fulfilled in right reading reverse format only. The standard format of the construction drawings will not be included with your order.

Processing and shipping options and rates vary by project plan number and plan package. The processing and shipping methods available for the design you wish to purchase will appear under the “Shipping” tab on the plan page. U.S. Ground delivery typically takes 8-12 business days. Some of our designers also offer other options such as Priority shipping (3-5 business days) and Express shipping (1-2 business days). Orders placed before 11:00 a.m. CST Monday through Friday (on normal business days, excluding holidays) will be processed the day they are placed. Orders placed after 11:00 a.m. CST Monday through Friday or over a weekend may be held until the next business day. For orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, or for orders shipping from Canada to the U.S., please check the available shipping options listed on the webpage for each respective design. Many of our designers will sell their plans to overseas customers. Please contact us for further information before placing your international order (outside the U.S and Canada).

Many plans available through The Project Plan Shop can be sold overseas or internationally. If you are not a resident of the United States or Canada, please contact us for plan package availability.

We make every effort to ensure your online shopping experience with The Project Plan Shop is as secure as possible. When you place a plan order online, all information is encrypted before sending it from our secure server to an automated payment-processing center that validates your credit card. Once your credit card has been charged, your order information is sent to the order-processing center without your credit card information. This ensures that your credit card information is never stored on our server, and no one has access to it at any time. As for your privacy, your personal information is used only for our account management and is not sold or given to any other companies or organizations.

Sales tax is charged on any purchase made in the state of Missouri only.

TheProjectPlanShop.com is brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC. Credit card charges will appear as The HousePlanShop, LLC.

Your plan purchase is NOT returnable or refundable. Since our construction drawings are printed and shipped or emailed directly to you in response to your order, The Project Plan Shop does not honor any requests for returns, refunds, or exchanges under any circumstances. Carefully review your order before placing it. Be certain you need and want the items you plan to order. Also, it is EXTREMELY important that you check the dimensions of your land, construction site, or lot before purchasing a plan. All sales are FINAL.

The building license is only granted to the person who originally purchased the project plan. Therefore, the building license is not transferable.

You are licensed to build a single structure from the plans you purchase, unless you purchase a plan package that includes a multi-build license. Some of our designers offer plan packages that include a multi-build license. When available, the multi-build license will be shown on the respective plan page with the plan package pricing. If you wish to build a plan multiple times that does not have a multi-build license listed on the plan page, please contact us for a quote.

NOTE: As the original purchaser of the construction drawings, you are licensed to build a single structure from the plans. Constructing more than one structure with the original purchase of the plan package is copyright infringement and violates copyright laws. Buying a multiple set plan package does not entitle you to build the structure more than once. In the same manner, purchasing additional sets of the construction drawing does not give you the right to build the structure again.

Photographs are available for some of the project plans published on our website. If they are available, the photos are posted on the plan page for each respective design. If there are no photos posted on the plan page, there are no photos available for that plan at this time. As we receive new photos of completed structures, they are added to our website. Please check back periodically for new photos. Note: The photographs published on our website may differ from the actual plans, depending on the modifications made by the owner/builder. Refer to the floor plan for the actual layout of the home.

The Project Plan Shop sells plans throughout the United States and internationally. While we know where we have shipped the plans, we do not know the exact locations where the plans have been built. To protect the privacy of our customers, we do not track this information. However, we have photography for some of our project plans. If photos are available, they can be viewed on the plan page. New photos are posted as we receive them.

In some cases, additional elevations or photos are available for our project plans, and they are posted on our website. As we receive new elevations, photos, and other images, we make every effort to publish them as soon as possible. However, if you would like to see an elevation for a plan that is not currently published on The Project Plan Shop website, please contact us, and we request the elevation from the designer.