How much is a full set of plans, and what is included?
Full sets are $750 for houses and $400 for studio garages. If you purchase one of each, there is a $100 discount on your order. Plan sets include:
1/4" scale floor plans
1/4" scale elevations of each facade
1/4" scale building sections
1/2" and 1" scale wall and exterior trim sections
1/2" scale interior details (elevations of cabinetry, built-ins and interior trim)
1/8" scale electrical plan for each floor
Foundation and framing plans
1/4" scale companion detached garage
Why can’t I order the full plan sets online?
We used to have a section on the order form for ordering full plan sets online, but found that 99% of our customers wanted to talk to a real person, either with questions, or just to make sure we really existed. Choosing a design for your new house is a big decision, and people don’t make it lightly. To order complete plans for any of our designs, contact
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or call 503-286-6258.
How much do you charge for plan modifications?
We charge $60/hour for design (more complex changes) and $45/hour for drafting (easier changes). It’s difficult to give an estimate for “all" changes a client might make, because we have found that the client often asks for more changes along the way, so it’s hard to give accurate estimates. Custom modifications usually start at 2 to 3 times the initial plan cost. ($1000 to $1500) The reason we charge nominally for standard plans is that the intent is to sell several orders of the same design.
Customization of our standard designs usually falls somewhere in between a standard plan and a fully custom design (see below). Sometimes, so many changes are requested, that the modified design no longer resembles the original, and we have to consider it a custom design. Staying within the footprint and ceiling heights of the original design is always less expensive than expanding beyond.
How much does it cost to design a fully custom house?
Design fees usually start at $4000 to $6000, and can go up from there, to $12,000 or $15,000. It varies so much because sizes, expectations, and clients themselves are so unique. Some of our clients have a lot of experience with design and/or construction, and do much of the legwork themselves. Some less-experienced clients want a designer’s involvement in most phases of the project, including selection of interior fixtures and finishes.
How much does it cost to build one of your houses?
These houses start at about $100 per square foot, and can go up from there, to $150 to $175 per square foot. At the lower end of this spectrum, expect to use vinyl siding and trim, vinyl or budget wood windows, carpet or vinyl on all floors, and composite or painted wood trim. Higher per square foot budgets can afford wood or cement-based siding and trim, a better grade of windows and doors, some hardwood floors, and larger, wood baseboards and door and window casings.
Are any plans less expensive to build than others?
Yes, foursquare-type designs (like the Alameda) are less expensive to build than bungalow designs, (like the Sellwood) that have dormers, and living space within roof cavities. The reason for this is that a hipped, or pyramid-shaped roof is easier to hand frame or build out of trusses than a dormered roof, that has multiple angles and intersections. We love the bungalows, as the spaces that are created within the dormers are what makes them so special, and think that’s what makes them worth the extra cost.
How high are the ceilings on the main floor of your plans? on the second floor?
In general the ceiling heights for our plans are 9’-0" on the first floor and 8’-0" on the second floor. There are exceptions for some designs.
Is it possible for a local architect to get electronic copies of the plans in order to do simple modifications without having to redraft much of the work?
Yes, however, we need to charge the same for this as we would charge for reproduce-able printed plans. The cost for either is (2)times the amount of the original order, or $1000 for houses and $600 for studio-garages. The reason for this is that our “intellectual property" is out in public, and multiple copies could be made, even for resale, without our knowledge. This is our way of protecting ourselves from fraud.
Do you design site plans for your customers, to go with the plans?
Yes, we do basic site plans that show the house on the site, it’s distance to lot lines, the garage, etc., and basic driveways and sidewalks. It’s always helpful if we can be provided with a survey from the developer or the client, that shows lot dimensions, existing trees, and land contours. We don’t do grading plans or planting plans, but in some cases, can make recommendations on professionals that you might hire for these services. We don’t want to take work away from our landscape architect friends!!
How difficult would it be to add a full or partial basement?
Most of our plans can be ordered with either a crawlspace or a full basement. Partial basement requests will be answered on a per project basement.
Are you a registered architect (AIA)?
No we are not, we are residential designers. In Wisconsin we do not need to be registered to design a one or two-family house. We also do design drawings for remodel/additions and new houses in Illinois, but refer our clients to local architects to do the construction and permit documents.
