Frequently Asked Questions...

What is included in your square footage?

The advertised square footage includes everything inside the perimeter of the building like rooms, closets, halls and walls. It does not include unfinished basements or garages.

 

What kind of information will I get from your stock plans?

The information included in our plans will be everything you need to build your home.

 

Any mechanical involved?

No, our plans do not include mechanical plans or schematics as many different systems are available and homeowners often want to personalize their HVAC systems.

 

Are your plans meeting the new code requirements or do they meet my local code requirements?

Although our plans usually meet or exceed the applied International and National Building Codes, some provinces, states and/or counties may require that your plans be reviewed and approved by a licensed structural engineer or architect in order to comply with local requirements regarding wind loads, snow load and other conditions. You may also need to obtain permits from, and allow inspections by, local government agencies before and during construction.

NOTE: Most plans are drawn to meet or exceed one or more of the major national US building standards (BOCA, UBC, CABO, ICBO, IRC2000). However, certain states and/or local jurisdictions have their own building code regulations and requirements. Our plans do not meet the Earthquake/Seismic/Wind/Hurricane code requirements. Therefore, at all times, it is the customer's and builder's responsibility to verify whether or not this plan is in compliance with the building codes. An architect or engineer may need to modify the drawings, approve the plans and/or affix his seal for local code requirements. ePlans.ca will not be held liable for any additional fees or modifications which are required in order to comply with the local codes. We can provide engineering services for some states. For more information please call 1.877.562.0633.

The Ontario Provincial Government's Bill 124 became effective January 1, 2006 and requires that a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) appear on all drawings being submitted for a building permit. ePlans.ca, having complied with the requirements, was issued registration to engage in the business of providing design activities to the public subject to the Ontario Building Code and therefore will provide at no extra cost and for its *entire house plan collection, its BCIN# on all construction drawings and blueprints. However, we won't provide our BCIN# on CAD files, PDF files and reproductible sets, as those plan versions can easily be altered from our original version, and also for any plan number starting with the letter "D", which are designs provided by various designers. Please contact us for more information: 1.877.562.0633 or use our contact form.

 

Framing plans included or not?

Most plans will not come with extended framing plans but will always give you the information required to lay out the plan.

 

Trusses or stick frames?

Our plans specify prefabricated trusses and structure.

 

Are your plans stamped?

No, our plans do not include an architectural or engineering stamp. Different geographical locations have different structural requirements. Contact your local building authority to determine what the structural requirements are for your area.

 

Is the foundation plan included in your standard stock plans?

All of our designs include foundation plans such as full basement, crawlspace or slab.

 

How extensive can we get with modifications through your service?

There is no limit to what you can do through our service starting from a standard stock plan. See our Plan Modifications section for more information.

 

Are you licensed architects?

No, we are not licensed architects; we are qualified designers and architectural technologists.

 

What are my options if I don't get my permit with your plans?

If you are unable to get a building permit with our plans you can use our services to upgrade your plans so that they meet your local regulations. Ask your building inspector for a list of what needs to be added or modified.

 

How much will these modifications cost?

If you send us a clear and precise wish list of modifications, we will provide a cost estimate for modifications for a small fee. See our Plan Modifications section for more information.

 

What is the difference between a reproducible (vellum) and a regular set of plans (blueprint)?

A reproducible master or vellum includes a copyright release (the right to modify and copy the original design). A regular set of plans cannot be modified.

 

What is included in your materials list?

The material list is offered for every set of plans in our collection. It includes the quantity of most materials required for construction to help you generate a cost estimate. Finishing materials are not included.

 

What is the difference between a full reverse and mirror set of plans?

A mirror reverse set is literally mirrored so all the text appears backwards. In a full reverse or right-reading reverse set this has been corrected so the plans are easier to read and understand.

 

Could we have access to already built designs?

Unfortunately we do not keep track of where our designs have been built.

 

Are your plans available in metric or Imperial measurements?

All of our plans are drawn in feet and inches; a metric version can be available at an additional charge. See our Plan Modifications section for more information.

 

Could we adapt a standard stock plan to any prefab system or ICF (insulated concrete form)?

Yes, we can modify any design to be compatible with the different types of building systems available on the market.

 

For additional information about our Stock Plans, call toll-free: 1.877.562.0633