FAQ

Find the most commonly asked questions about house plans from DFDHousePlans.com. If you have additional questions, live chat, email or call us at 877-895-5299 and we’d be happy to help you!

Q. What construction drawings are included in a typical House Plan Set?

A. When you purchase a house plan, you receive a complete set of construction drawings that typically include dimensioned floor plans, exterior elevations, foundation and roof plans, building sections and details, and general notes that serve as a guide for building your home. These plans are designed to meet the International Residential Code (IRC) in effect at the time they were created, helping ensure they conform to widely accepted building standards. Because local codes and requirements vary from place to place, some jurisdictions may require additional engineering, site-specific details, or review by a licensed architect or engineer to satisfy local building department requirements.

Q. What kind of modifications can I make to a house plan?

A. Common modifications and customizations include adjusting room sizes, reconfiguring interior layouts, changing ceiling or wall heights, reversing the plan's orientation (mirror reverse), altering exterior finishes, modifying the garage size or placement, and updating the kitchen or bathroom(s). Any plan can be modified to your exact needs, lot, and budget!

Q. How is the cost of customizing a house plan determined?

A. Customizing a house plan varies in cost depending on the type and scope of changes requested. Simple adjustments, such as minor layout tweaks or room size changes, typically cost less, while more complex or structural modifications—like moving load-bearing walls, altering rooflines, or reconfiguring foundations—require more design time and therefore carry a higher fee.

To help you make an informed decision, we offer a free modification quote before purchase, so you can review the estimated cost and timeline before moving forward. If the changes are more extensive than anticipated, we’re also happy to help you find an alternate plan that requires fewer modifications, which can help reduce costs.

In most cases, customizing an existing plan is significantly faster and more affordable than hiring a local architect to design a home from scratch, while still allowing you to tailor the plan to fit your needs

Q. How quickly will I receive my house plans after purchase?

A. Plans offered in our PDFs NOW collection are available for immediate download as soon as you make your purchase and sign the plan license. Digital PDF and CAD files are typically delivered via email within one to two business days. Printed plan sets typically take three to four business days to receive. Customized plans that are getting modifications require a longer timeframe, depending on the complexity and scope of the revisions.

Q. What file formats are available for purchasing house plans?

A. All house plans are available in a digital PDF set that is easy to get printed at a local printer and that you can also print from a home computer. This makes distribution to contractors, subs, and financial institutions simple and quick. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files are good when making larger modifications or when engineering is required to obtain permits. CAD files can be opened by a design professional, who will then provide a PDF of the final design that you can print off. Traditional printed blueprint sets for construction and permitting are also available. Availability of formats may vary by the specific plan and designer.

Q. Are the house plans guaranteed to be compliant with my local building codes?

A. Our plans are drawn to meet the standards of the International Residential Code (IRC). As building codes and site conditions vary by region, a local architect or engineer may be needed to review and adapt the plans for specific areas. Permit jurisdiction requirements vary around the country and design parameters like soil types and snow, wind, and seismic load values are site specific. Materials can vary as well, like lumber species available for framing, for example. It is common for stock plan designs to defer the actual analysis and structural material selection to a local expert like an engineer or architect.

Q. Do I need a local architect or engineer to modify or stamp the plans?

A. This requirement is dictated by your local building department. While some customers can build directly from our plans, some jurisdictions—especially those in areas with high wind, seismic, or snow-load requirements—may require a structural engineer's or licensed architect's stamp to certify the plans for permitting. We highly recommend consulting with your local building department or builder to determine their specific requirements. Our team can help with this as well. Even if you have local codes that will require extra structural detail on your plan, it’s generally significantly faster and less expensive to purchase a stock plan and get it modified versus hiring a private architect and designing a plan from scratch.

Q. What is the best way to choose the right floor plan?

A. To narrow down your options, first consider your lot parameters (size and slope) and preferred garage orientation. Then, determine your core family needs: desired square footage, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. Feel free to submit a custom plan search form and our experts will find designs that meet your budget and criteria. Our experienced plan advisors are also available by phone or chat to assist you with a custom search based on your lifestyle and budget. Just click the live chat at the top of the site or call us at 877-895-5299. We’re happy to help!

Q. What makes our collection of house plans unique?

A. Direct From The Designers is one of the few house plans companies that is owned by actual architects and designers. We’ve also always been committed to only allowing the best plans from the best architects and designers in the US and Canada on our site. We have a lengthy vetting process to ensure every plan on our site meets our strict standards and the standards of the International Residential Code. Other sites have 25,000 plus plans, but our goal is to be focused on quality, NOT quantity. This makes it easier and faster for our visitors to find quality house plans that builders prefer. We also have an extraordinary customer service team of trained and seasoned house plan advisors who go above and beyond to help every customer find their perfect plan and then offer support though the entire construction process.

Q. What is the typical cost for added engineering services?

A. Engineering costs are typically between $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot, depending on the location. Certain states like California can be closer to $2.00 per square foot due to complex seismic design category systems that are needed for structures to withstand earthquakes. Our seasoned team is happy to help by providing engineering estimate quotes on any of our house plans and to assist you through the process.

Q. Should I buy my lot or my house plan first?

A. This decision varies by customer. Some prefer to find their dream plan first and then search for a lot that can accommodate it. Others purchase their building site first and then find a plan that fits the lot’s dimensions and restrictions. Reviewing building guides, hearing stories from others who built their own homes, and asking your real estate agent and builder questions can provide you with detailed advice to help you start your new home construction project confidently.

Q. Do you offer an exchange or guarantee policy?

A. Yes, click here to read our return policy.

Q. Do you have photos of homes that your customers have built?

A. Yes! Lots of our house plans include photos and 3D walk-through videos that our customers and builders have sent us after they have built their homes. We understand the importance of seeing all of the details of a home inside and out before making your final decision. We can also reach out to past customers to request photos if you find a specific plan that you’d like to see more of.