House plans by Natalie Howard
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Frequently asked Questions about Plans

What is . . .
What is included in one "complete set of plans"?

What are the stud and rafter sizes?
What is a Material List?
What is a Specification Form?
What does that camera icon mean?
What is the difference between plans with the same number but have an "F" vs an "L"?
I have some common questions about plans

How much . . . 
Can you tell me how much it would cost to build a specific home?
If I order one set of plans now, can I get the 2nd set at a reduced rate at a later date?
How much are your plans in Canadian Dollars?

Does it include . . .
Why do I need 5 sets of plans?
Does the plan come with plumbing, electrical and heating details?
How can I tell if the house plan has a basement plan?
How many pages are included in a plan?
What does the plan look like when I get it?
Do your plans meet any special building codes?
Do the plans include the wall thickness and other elevation views?

Can I . . .
Can I increase the size of the house or make other minor changes?
Can the plans on your site be submitted to a local building inspector and are these fairly easy to read?
Can I see the plans that do not have links on your "List of Plans" page?
I have a house that was built by one of your plans. Can you include my home photo on your site? Is it confidential?
Can I see a photograph of the home already built?

I want . . . 
I want a couple of bedrooms and a basement, can you offer suggestions?
I want to order one set and make copies
I want to include a link to your site on my page. What do I do?
Can you give me a ballpark figure on building a specific house?
I want to make changes, do you create custom plans?
I want to place an order, do you take credit cards? How do I order?
I want to use logs on my exterior. Do you have plans for logs or can any home plan of yours be built with a log exterior?
I want a Dogtrot. What is it and do you have any?
I want to find a builder in my area, do you have any tips?

What is . . .

Q: What is included in " one complete set of plans"?
A single Complete Set of Plans includes all floor and foundation plans drawn at 1/4" scale, four elevations, wall section through the house, vanity and kitchen cabinet details, fireplace elevation and details and any other unusual details that may exist.
Plans are printed on 18"x 24" to 30" paper and are Copyrighted Material and are not to be reproduced.

The specification sheets that come with your plans, specify construction materials, but not specific finishing materials. Your individual choices will determine types & brands of siding, windows, carpet, etc.

Q: What is a Material List?
A material list provides the quantities of lumber and other building materials. Example: number of plywood sheets, sq ft of insulation, number of studs, joists, number of drywall sheets, etc. Lists are available on most plans. 

A material list can only be purchased with a plan purchase of the same number.

bf = board feet
lf = linear feet
sf = square feet
pcs = pieces
square of roofing = 100 sq ft

Q: What is a Specification Form?
The specification sheets that come with your plans, specify structural materials, but they do not specific finishing materials. Your individual choices will determine types & brands of siding, windows, carpet, etc. The list can be completed by you for finishing materials. The FHA-VA Form is included with each order.

Q? What does that camera icon mean? Click here for a photo of the home
If you see the camera icon (Click here for a photo of the home) on a plan information page, click on it to see an actual photograph of a built home. 

Q: What is the difference between plans with the same number but have an "F" vs an "L"?
The difference between "L" and "F" is only the exterior. Our naming convention is: F = frame exteriors L = log exteriors. Otherwise, if the plan number is the same, the floor plan is the same.

I have some common questions about plans:
1. What type of roofing structure is used - prefab, cathedral ... etc. 
    (2x6 rafters or optional scissor trusses) 
2. What are the foundation requirements? 
    (Most older plans show 8" concrete blocks w/ brick veneer) 
3. Is the wall 2x4 / 2x6 construction? 
    ( 2x4 studs @16" o.c.) 
4. Do you supply a material list? 
    (Most plans offer one for sale) 
5. Can you send me any more details regarding this plan? Larger pictures etc.?
    (Sorry, all we offer is the construction plan at this time)

How much . . . 

Q: Can you tell me how much it would cost to build a specific home?
If you take a print-out from the website of the plan you like and talk to your building supplier or to your builder, they can give you a close estimate of what houses are running per square in your area.

Quality and selection of materials can greatly change the prices (such as a $50 sink vs. a $500 sink). Also location in the country can differ in prices (e.g., Florida insulation prices vs. Montana insulation prices).

Tip: Talk to people at stores like Home Depot or to a builder. They can give you an idea or estimate of the average cost per square foot to build in your city. Then multiply that cost by the square footage in the selected the plan, making sure you include the square foot costs for unheated areas, such as the garage, porches, storage rooms & basements.

Plans can be ordered with a list of materials to accompany the construction plans, if you wish to have a builder figure the cost estimate of the selected plan.

Check out these links on info from the US Census
http://www.dreamhomesource.com/Estimate.asp?PlanID=2750&State=http://www.census.gov/prod/2000pubs/c25-99a.pdf

Q: If I order one set of plans now, can I get the 2nd set at a reduced rate at a later date?
No. Your best value is to order all the sets you need in your initial order.

Q: How much are your plans in Canadian Dollars?
Our plans are priced in US Dollars. You can calculate the price using a conversion calculator available on the web site at this URL. Just select from US to CAN and it will give you an idea of the charge you will see if you use a Credit Card. Conversion rates change slightly every day, so it depends on the date the card is charged, but it is usually only pennies difference. 

Does it include . . .

Q: Why do I need 5 sets of plans?
You usually need one set each for the Building Permit and the Mortgage Company, two sets for the Builder to pass to the subcontractors and one set for you. 

Q: Does the plan come with plumbing, electrical and heating details?
Plumbing fixtures are positioned on the floor plans. Electrical outlets, ceiling lights fixtures, and switches are located on the floor plan. Sub-contractors will provide you with bids based on your selections of plumbing and lighting fixtures, and your brand of air/heat unit, information, all of which you can include on your specification form.

Q: How can I tell if the house plan has a basement plan?
Look for a stairway going down, usually under the stairway going up to the 2nd floor. 

If the plan has an alternate stairway, drawn to the side of the floor plan, it means that the designer has shown the builder how to add basement stairs, but the construction plan will show a crawl space, not a basement floor plan. A basement layout can be added by your builder to fit your site if you desire a basement.

Also, look at our list of plans for a review of which plans have a basement plan. If the term optional or access is used, that means there is no basement plan, but there is an optional stairway or access to a possible basement. If an 'X' is shown, there is a basement plan that comes with the full set.

Q: How many pages are included in a plan?
Number of pages in a plan set will be determined by the size & the style of the house. Pages in a Complete Set can number from 6 to 12.

Q: What does the plan look like when I get it?
The plan is a blueline print, usually 18"x24" or 18"x30" The plan is sent to you rolled in a cardboard box for which you will need to sign a certified return receipt.

Q: Do your plans meet any special building codes?
While Natalie's plans were designed to be built in the south eastern section of the country, most of the construction plans meet the Southern Building Code (SBCCI) and CABO for One Family Dwellings. Exceptions would be seen in the tiny cabin plans with door sizes, stair risers and treads. For building sites in the United States in areas of heavy snow adaptations should be made on rafters sizes and possible 2x6 stud walls.

Q: Do the plans include the wall thickness and other elevation views?
The plans will show 2x4 stud walls in the wall section with other materials such as insulation, siding, drywall or sheetrock. If you wish to use 2x6 stud walls, this change can be made by your builder. They should remember to allow for the extra 2" at any tub that is near an exterior wall.

Elevations showing the four exterior sides of the house are included in the plan.

Can I . . .

Q: Can I increase the size of the house or make other minor changes?
You can obtain permission from Natalie and Custom Home Plans, Inc. to make changes in the construction of your home.

Q: Can the plans on your site be submitted to a local building inspector and are these fairly easy to read prints?
Yes, these plans are easy to read and to build by. The construction plans are complete with dimensions which place walls and windows, Also, included are notes to advise the builder. 

Q: Can I see the plans that do not have links on your "List of Plans" page?
If a plan is listed on the "List of Plans" page, but does not have a link to a floor plan, it is not yet available on our website. You can write us an email to check on availability.

Q: I have a house that was built by one of your plans. Can you include my home photo on your site? Is it confidential?
We welcome photographs for our website. Please review the terms of use on the photo release page. We do not disclose names or addresses of any customers at any time.

Q: Can I see a photograph of the home already built? Click here for a photo of the home
If you see the camera icon (Click here for a photo of the home) on a plan information page, click on it to see an actual photograph of a built home. 

I want . . . 

Q: I want a couple of bedrooms and a basement, can you offer suggestions?
Browse the plans by square footage starting here on the Floor Plans section, or look at the list of plans (which is in order by square footage) of all our plans and narrow down the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. and click  those plans.

Q: I want to order one set and make copies
It is illegal to copy copyrighted material, just like it is illegal to copy a DVD of a movie or a CD of music.

Q: I want to include a link to your site on my page. What do I do?
We welcome links to our site and appreciate it! You can find banners and text, if you need them, on our Banner Usage page

Reciprocal links are contingent upon review and are only considered for related and appropriate home building sites. Send us an email to apply for inclusion on our Building Links page.

Q: I want to place an order, do you take credit cards? How do I order?
Simply click on the "Order" tab at the top of any page, or any link that says "How to Order". You can select to order via a credit card on our secure site, by sending a check in the mail (with or without the form). We will even take your order on the phone too. (951-534-6924)

Q: I'm looking for a classic "dogrun" or "dog trot" home, do you have any? What is a "dogtrot"?
We currently do not have any plans featuring a dogtrot or dogrun. However, interesting facts about Dogtrots can be found at University of California, Berkeley, History of Dogtrots.

Q: I want to find a builder in my area, do you have any tips?
I would suggest looking at homes that your selected builder has completed in the past for a check on his workmanship and performance.

Q: What are the ceiling heights and the roof pitch of your plans? 
Most plans have 8 foot ceilings. A few plans have alternates to allow 9' ceilings. Roof pitches will vary with the style of roof.

Q: How do I order plans using a check?
Just send us your check for the proper amount shown on the web site. Print and fill out the order form if you have a printer, or just write all the information on a piece of paper. Be sure your address & phone number is on your check. Include $15 for postage for US Mail. You will need to sign for the return receipt package when the US Post Office delivers the plan.

Q: Can I make changes to your plans?
Your builder can make changes to our plans. The stock plans are pre-drawn construction plans and cannot be changed for individual orders. We can supply a release letter for your builder to make changes for you.

Changes on stock plans, such as adding a basement if the stock plan allows space for stairway, can be made by your builder It would save you money if you can have your builder make the changes on site instead of having our stock plan redrawn with your changes.

You would get a more accurate estimate of building costs if you ask the local builders or building supply companies for the basic square footage estimates. Show them print-outs from the plans that you like to figure your estimates. Your choices of finishing materials will vary the costs.

Most Log Suppliers can adapt a frame house plan to accommodate log construction.

Your builder can make changes to our plans. The stock plans are pre-drawn construction plans and cannot be changed for individual orders. We can supply a release letter for your builder to make changes for you.

Plans are stock plans and changes cannot be made to them. Changes on stock plans, such as adding a basement if the stock plan allows space for stairway, can be made by your builder. We can supply you with a letter to authorize the changes.

It would save you money if you just have your builder make the changes on site instead of having our stock plan redrawn with your changes, Thanks for visiting our site.

D- You would get a more accurate estimate of building costs if you ask the local builders or building supply companies for the basic square footage estimates. Show them print-outs from the plans you like for your estimates. Your choices of finishing materials will vary the costs. 

E- You would get a more accurate estimate of building costs if you ask the local builders or building supply companies for the basic square footage estimates. Show them print-outs from the plans you like for your estimates. Your choices of finishing materials will vary the costs. Thanks for visiting our site. Natalie

F- Check with your log supplier and see if they can cut their logs for the floor plan of your choice. Note: our log construction plans show elevations & wall section using 6x12 chinked logs; 2x10 floor system; 4x8 second floor beams; 2x6 roof rafters. Some log suppliers can use a frame construction plan to cut the logs. Regards, Natalie

I- Our stock plans are designed for the southeastern states with the following: The houses are designed with 2x4 studs and 2x10 floor joists @ 16" o.c. Rafters are 2x6 and 2x8. Windows & doors shown are sized and located with no particular brand specified. The list of specifications that comes with the plans specify the structural materials and can be completed by you for finishing materials. I believe that your builder would know how to alter the structural materials for your codes in your area. Check with your builder before ordering your plans.

Q: Can I call someone who built your plan and go see their house?
Out of respect for privacy, I do not give out the individual's addresses of the owners of homes who built my plans. You can, however, send in a photo of your home to be included in our tour of built homes.

Q: When you send me a picture, I cannot open it. How do I open a JPG file in an email?
1. Double-click on the JPG attachment to view the JPG attachment. If you cannot see the picture in your email or if a browser does not open, go to step 2. 
2. Right-click on the JPG attachment 
       (if you are in Windows, double-click if you are a MAC user) 
   a. Select 'Save As" and save it to your desktop or a location where you can find it later 
   b. Start your Internet Browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape) 
   c. Select File / Open from that Browser and navigate to that JPG file you saved on your hard drive 
   d. You should be able to see the JPG in your browser now.

  

 

List of House Plans

  

under 1000 sq ft

 
F-648 A F-780 A  

1000 - 1200 sq ft

 
F-1001 A
F-1008
A
F-1010
A
F-1055
F-1080
F-1104

F-1180
 

1200 - 1399 sq ft

 
F-1213
F-1250
A
F-1252
A
F-1280
C-1285
F-1300 A
F-1318
A
F-1338
A
F-1390
A
 

1400 - 1499 sq ft

 
F-1400 A
F-1430
A
F-1440
A
F-1441
A
C-1450
F-1460
F-1464
F-1472
 

1500 - 1699 sq ft

 
F-1500
F-1505
F-1516
F-1541
F-1545
F-1553
F-1554
F-1560
F-1568
F-1570
F-1585 A
F-1586
F-1590
F-1600
F-1622
F-1660
F-1674
F-1678
F-1680 A
F-1686 A
 

1700 - 1899 sq ft

 
F-1704
F-1708
F-1710
F-1728
A
F-1735
F-1745
F-1750
A
F-1755
A
F-1780 A
F-1796
F-1798
F-1800
F-1805
F-1810
F-1813
F-1860
F-1880
A
 

1900 - 2110 sq ft

 
F-1945
F-1950

F-1960 A
F-1975
F-1990 A
F-2040
F-2047
F-2058
F-2080
A
F-2110
A
 

2120 - 2500 sq ft

 
F-2128
F-2160 A
C-2200 A
F-2230
F-2300 A
F-2378
F-2382
 
above 2500 sq ft  
F-2540 A
F-2544
F-2600
F-2670 A
F-2874
F-3110
 

Log Plans

  

under 1000 sq ft

 
L-320 A
L-648
L-780
L-800 A
L-950
 

1000 - 1200 sq ft

 
L-1000
L-1001
L-1008
L-1080
L-1104
L-1180
 

1200 - 1399 sq ft

 
L-1252
L-1280

L-1300
L-1318
L-1390
 

1400 - 1499 sq ft

 
L-1430 L-1450  

1500 - 1699 sq ft

 
 L-1680    

1700 - 1899 sq ft

 
L-1735    

1900 - 2110 sq ft

 
L-1950  L-2230  

2120 - 2500 sq ft

 
L-2160 L-2300  
above 2500 sq ft  
L-2540    
A =alternate included
= includes actual photos
(click on photo button on plan page)

 


(click the square footage of the house plan you want to view) Look at small, or tiny homes.

Custom Home Plans Inc  - http://www.natalieplans.com
29894 Masters Drive, Murrieta, CA 92563
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Last Revised: August 7, 2017