House Plans: Builder Tips to Save Money

A builder shares tips for saving money while creating the house plans for your dream home. You can hire an architect to design your house plans from scratch, but that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This video discusses the methods used by professional builders to save big money on really cool house plans.

[jessicamd]

This video gave great advices. But I thought it was going to give me ideas on how to save money when making/chosing a house plan... Like, when desining a house plan, chose standard size windows that you can buy at any hardware store instead of odd sizes that you'll need to have someone build for you. Or where to put windows in order to save on electricity bills later on. Or, how different house shapes may save money on materials (ex: square has less surface to finish for same square footage than rectangle). Or the fact that wood, sheetrocks, etc., often come in 8' long, so if your house has dimensions that are multiples of 8, there should be less waste. Or what different house styles cost the most and why. Ex: high pitch roof are generally much more expensive. Also, cathedral scissor trusses are pretty much the same price than standard trusses, but will make an incredible statement in your home, instead of 9 ft tall ceilings everywhere in the house, which is very costly, since you'll have to pay for extra wood, insulation, drywall, etc... Maybe there are other videos that would give that kind of advide out there. If you know some, let me know!!!

[aldoogie]

General Contractor here. I do my own plans as well, with an engineer. This video is SPOT on!

[arkatec]

I am an architect and I can tell you that most of us in my area don't charge $100 to $200/hr. I recently came across an article where contractors are, some contractors can charge more for design services than most architects. So don't assume that architects are more expensive. The design process can take time but remember you're spending lots of money to build your dream house. Make sure you're getting what you pay for.

[efficientfuture]

I started making my own floor plans online. I started in February and went through about 10 different plans I made and decided to take the best of all of them. Im hoping to be done next month.

[stevenl.halesr.]

Designing your own home is not as hard as some would think. If you have any common sense and have taken drafting and design, art and math in school, you can do it! Now, you can't have those plans certified...That takes the proper licenses of either an Engineer and/or Architects, but you can draw up your basic idea for the floorplan (and elevations...Which is also pretty easy), using 1/4 inch graph paper (1/4 inch equals 1-2 feet etc...), and take them to either or, and have them do the professional drawings. You just need to know how high you want your ceilings to be, and what type pitch the roof will be. Do you want dormers or gables, or a hip roof...Look at stock plans to see which best suites you!

Knowing the building codes for your area is also a big help, and that information is easy to get by contacting the local building departments, and/or researching online. You'll get all the information you need concerning the depth of the footers for walls and foundations, as well as the freeze line if applicable for either basements, craw spaces or slabs, depending on the area you live, and the type home you want. Armchair Builder is a GREAT Site, and Source of information (GLAD I found them). He's not trying to make you a professional...He's helping you to become Competent in the Building Trades!!!

[roxycauldwell]

It's also worth mentioning that if you get a house plan online, some websites offer services to edit some custom ideas

[JenniferPChung]

This was really helpful to know the little things like making sure the art. stamp (if needed) is in the est. Thanks for this! The set back is a nice reminder too.

[jaycos]

You can hire a draftsman for a fraction of the price of an architect. Many municipalities don’t require an architect stamp for 1 family homes.

[centsworth]

Building plans require footings/foundation, elevations, electrical, plumbing, etc. A complete set of plans requires multiple pages. It must be noted that outside of major cities what is required is less. Best to talk to county/city rep. Ask what is reqd. Lenders are really fussy. I live outside a city. All the county asks for is a simple drawing for the tax assessor.

[karlhungus]

I just used an RTM plan provided for free by the lumber company I bought my materials from, and had them make the required changes, which included shrinking the design by almost 500 sqft. Cost me NOTHING. After that they had an engineer on staff that approved the plan and away we went. An architect firm quoted me $5, 600!

[fiordalizatejeda]

Hi. I will like to up grate and change some of the structure inside of my house. I leave in Houston Tx. Does Menards will make those changes ? or if you know any reasonable company that you may advise?.

[Asmrpurplelady]

Thanks for the awesome tips! What’s your take on building with precast concrete wall panels?

[Jollofpappi]

Quick question. Can I email copies of my survey to the stock plans company to get a site plan for a construction loan?

[noga]

Very interesting video thanks, would you also recommend stock plans for an extension to an existing house?

[kenmarcou]

Thanks, I just found you and am super interested. I have an old house that needs structural repair and energy efficiency retrofits badly and then will need to finish as part of an in depth remodel. I’ll need permits. Is there a way to get floor plans stock for this? Seems like stock plans/architectural designs would only work for new building?
Also, to what extent could your organization help with remodels (vs new build) and my situation? I appreciate it!

[embededfabrication]

what if you just want a basic rectangular layout, must be a place to find reliable plans online for such a structure?

[richardjohnson]

Thanks for the great content you provide, if I find online plans that are close but need tweaking are you suggesting that I have the changes made by the online plan company or by a local architect?

[busdhii]

Can we do stock house plans for AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENT BUILDING PROJECTS? What is your advice??

[AlindaFaye]

I learn so much from you. Thanks a lot!

[Salty]

What is some good software for an amateur so that I can start working through general floor plans, materials, foundations, and other home building ideas?