Thinking about building one of our plans, but feeling a bit overwhelmed? Feel like your list of questions is never ending? We got you! Keep reading to find your holy grail of home building Q&A – as compiled by our clients!
1) Can I Modify a Plan? If so, How?
Yes, you 100% can modify any plan on our site! Tons of our clients choose to make mods to their plan in order to fit their family’s needs. To keep costs down, we typically recommend finding a plan you love 90% of, and modifying from there. This is because the more extensive your changes are, the higher the cost of having your custom plans drawn can be. Here’s how you can modify a plan through us:
- First, find the plan you’re interested in customizing on our site. When you click “Modify this Plan”, you’ll be taken to our Modification Request form. This is where you can enter your contact info, and outline the customizations you’d like made to the plan. Feel free to attach a rough sketch of your vision. We recommend being as detailed as possible in your request so that the designer can provide you with the most accurate quote.
- Once you’ve submitted your request, we send it over to the designer or design firm that works with your specific plan. They will review your request, and be in touch with you directly in 1-3 business days to let you know that your changes are possible, and provide you with a quote for having the customizations completed. They will also give you a timeline to have the work completed should you decide to move forward.
- If you’re not interested in modifying through us, or your builder is able to modify plans for you, you are more than welcome to work with a different professional so long as you purchase the original plans, which include the license to build them.
2) Which Should I Get First? Land or Plans?
This answer can depend on what your needs are. Generally it is good to keep in mind that not every plan will work for any lot – many areas have setback regulations that may limit the size of the home you are able to build on a piece of land. Let’s outline both options:
- Land First: This is typically a faster/easier route. Finding a piece of land first allows you to then find a plan you know will be suited to your lot. This can also be a less risky option.
- Plan First: This option might be better for you if you have a very specific vision of what you want your house to look like, or you have found your dream plan that you absolutely have to build. If you’re not in a time crunch and are willing to potentially wait longer to shop around for the perfect piece of land, we say go for it.
3) Is it More Expensive to Build a Single Story Home?
A typical rule of thumb to keep in mind when choosing a plan is that it’s generally less expensive to build up versus out. Having a larger foundation, more complicated footprint, or intricate rooflines can all bring cost to build up.
4) Are There any Common Mistakes I Should Avoid?
Not necessarily a mistake, but more so a hugely important piece of advice we like to share with clients who are beginning their plan search. We STRONGLY recommend getting a good understanding of what local building codes you may need to adhere to when choosing a plan. Our plans are drawn to meet the IRC for the year they were designed, but this does NOT mean that they will be ready to build in your locality. Many of our clients need to work with a local engineer to have their plans stamped in order to have them approved based off their local codes. For example, individuals building in Northern states may need to make adjustments to their plan to accommodate snow loads. Some areas, like California, have stricter building codes and will almost definitely require you to have your plans engineered locally. Doing a bit of research into the codes you may need to adhere to in your area before you select a plan is a great idea to ensure you aren’t blindsided by unexpected costs & can factor that into your overall budget.
5) I Want a Cost to Build Estimate But…$45? Why?
Our QuikQuote Cost to Build Estimate can be a super helpful tool for you to utilize in your planning process. And we totally get it – home building is a costly process. Making sure you budget correctly and save where you can is important. This said, we think it’s equally important to make sure you have a solid idea of what cost to build looks like in your specific area. So if you’re interested in a cost to build estimate, but aren’t totally sure if the QuikQuote is right for you, here’s why we think it’s a worthy investment in your planning process.
- Firstly, the QuikQuote is personalized specifically for you. While free ballpark estimates will obviously save you money, they usually aren’t accurate. After all, building a 2,300 SqFt house in California will definitely not cost the same as building a home of the same size in Mississippi. Cost to build is not one size fits all, which is why the QuikQuote is a better option if you’re looking for an estimate that is detailed and customized. When you order the QuikQuote, a member of our team takes into account the plan you select, your building preferences, and your zip code. They use data and pricing information that is updated monthly to determine an estimate that is tailored specifically to you.
- It’s not a one and done estimate. When you order a QuikQuote, you’re not only receiving a cost to build estimate, but access to the tool itself. That means that if you receive your original quote, but aren’t planning to immediately start building, you can return to the tool months later and reconfigure the settings. Since the data is updated monthly, it will reflect current market trends.
- Finally, we credit the cost of the quote towards your plan purchase. We think this one speaks for itself.