Should You Purchase Stock Plans - Here Are The Pros And Cons
If you are considering purchasing stock plans from an internet site or from a book
, make sure you are aware of what you are getting and its value to your project.
"Stock Plans" are building plans which you can order from a magazine, catalog or website. Some builders offer stock plans, as well. Though not custom designed for you, homes built from stock plans can be very nice and quite appealing.
Stock plans can certainly be a great way to obtain construction plans. However, to many, the custom nature of building a home demands nothing less than a fully custom home design. Many would never consider using a predesigned set of plans.
Stock plans have their pros and cons. Let's take a look at each:
Pros:
- Stock plans can be inexpensive, at least for the initial plans. Prices will run about a thousand bucks - and even less. The plans are shown in the catalog, or on the website and you can see the look, the layout and the prices for the plans. Choosing is as easy as clicking and buying. You simply choose the form of the drawing (like an original, or blueprints, or sepia) and the quantity of copies that you want.
- Stock plans can save time in selecting a home. Since the designs are done and there for your review, you can select quickly and save time. Usually the plans are displayed as floor plans and exterior views. Depending on the catalog you may get just one front view, and sometimes you'll be able to see a few other views to help you understand the design. It's a mail-order solution. Mail-order items have been part of our culture for a long time - from mail-order brides, to mail order kit-houses from Sears.
- Stock plans are usually collections from a variety of viewpoints. This can be stimulating as you browse through the plans and views. You'll find "new" ideas that you likely have not considered before.
- Stock plans catalogs can get you thinking. They can start the imagination as you review the wide variety of plans. This can really be a great beginning, if nothing else, for the exploration of new ideas.
Cons:
- Stock plans are generally not adequate to use to obtain permits. These plans, if submitted, will usually be rejected because more information is needed.
- Many permitting agencies now are requiring an Engineer's or Architect's seal (which looks like the notary seal you've probably seen). It is advisable that you check with your local building department before purchasing any set of plans. These professional stamps (plan certifications) are not as easy as going out and finding someone to stamp them. Professional Engineers and/or Architects will usually require re-draw or, at least, revisions and additional information and clarifications to bring the plans up to a standard that they are willing to stamp. Fees can range widely but you should definitely check this out in your area. This will also add time to the process.
- It is the rare buyer of a custom home that will not want to change, at least, a few things - especially when using a set of predesigned, stock home plans. This will take time and money. Some of the stock plan companies offer this service however it is expensive and time consuming - thus loosing most of the original advantages of buying the plans in the first place. You may have to hire a Engineer or Architect to make these changes.
- Stock-Plans are considered by some to be reused plans. This might or might not be important - but if you are looking for a home that is as unique as you and as customized as the building process is itself, stock plans might not be the best way.
- Stock plans are designed for mass-appeal, like cars and other consumer goods. This is beneficial for factory created goods because its the only way there can be duplication of efforts which save us money. But home building is quite different from manufacturing in a factory. Home building is done stick by stick in the field. It is always custom. Some would consider using a mass market home plan for a custom building job would be like custom building car and ending up with a Ford Taurus. What's the point?
- Homes in our country have a wide variety of needs specific to the area. Stock plans try to adapt themselves to all these area. Areas of the country have snow requirements, basements, high winds, earthquakes, cold and hot temperatures as well as many other factors that are unique to each. Also certain types of building systems will be prominent in certain areas. Generic plans can't cover all the possibilities. You will also find that the local tradesmen can easily identify the stock plans and sometimes ready themselves for problems - though increasing their prices.
Now, local builders may have their own stock plans and these will likely side step many of these problems. Usually their plans will be ready for permits in the local area and also be of building systems that are well recognized. If the builder also has the means to make changes, this can be an excellent source of plans for your project.
In summary, stock plans are valuable for study and education and are fertile source of ideas. They, however, will likely turn out not as inexpensive as you first think, or as quick, and certainly will not be something designed exclusively for you.
There is, quite frankly, nothing like having a professional working with you to develop a perfect custom design based upon your ideas, your notions, the various clippings from your past and even from stock plan catalogs. Combine that with the designer's experienced creativity and you will take full advantage the truly custom nature of building a home.
Custom design for yourself is the best way to take advantage of the truly custom nature of home building. Home building remains the last industry where most products are custom built in the field on the lot. Custom design allows you to take full advantage of this.
by: Ken Risley
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