FAQs

Q. What is a One Set or Study Set of Home Plans?

A. Many of our plans offer a study set. A Study Set of home plans will include all four exterior views plus the main and upper (if applicable) home floor plans. They are intended to help decide if the home you have chosen will fit into your budget and to give you a better idea of room size. They do not include the roof plan, the foundation plan, building sections or details. A study set is not a license to build. A study set can be upgraded to a full set of plans with a license to build.


Q. What is a Five Set of Home Plans?

A. Many of our plans offer a 5 set package. This is our smallest plan set with a license to build. You will receive 5 printed copies of the complete set of home plans. You will have a few shipping options to choose from.


Q. What is an Eight Set of Home Plans?

A. Many of our plans offer an 8 set package. This is our most common printed plan set with a license to build. You will receive 8 printed copies of the complete set of home plans. You will have a few shipping options to choose from.


Q. What is a Reproducible Set of Home Plans?

A. Reproducible sets are printed on bond paper and can be copied. Some plans may need modifications to adapt to local codes. Reproducible prints can be altered by a local architect or engineer and come with a reproduction waiver so copies can be made as needed.


Q. What is a PDF File of Home Plans?

A. The PDF File plan package is your best value, and provides you with an electronic β€œpicture” version of your plan. This package offers you the flexibility to print as many copies as you need for you to build one home and grants you the permission to modify the plan package. These changes will have to be hand drawn.


Q. What is a CAD File of Home Plans?

A. The CAD File plan package is a modifiable electronic version of your plan. The plan will be offered in one of the industry standard software formats. You will need the help of our modification service or a local architect, engineer or designer. This package offers you the flexibility of modification and to print as many copies as you need for you to build one home.


Q. What is a Slab Foundation?

A. A Slab Foundation is a single layer of concrete, several inches thick and rests on a bed of crushed gravel for drainage.


Q. What is a Crawlspace Foundation?

A. A Crawlspace Foundation is an elevated foundation which uses footing and foundation walls which support a wooden main floor. Generally, the Crawlspace area under the main floor is a small storage area 2’-6” to 4’-0” tall and has a concrete slab.


Q. What is a Basement Foundation?

A. A Basement Foundation is an elevated foundation which uses footing and foundation walls which support a wooden main floor. Generally, the Basement area under the main floor is a storage area 7’-0” to 8’-0” tall and has a concrete slab.


Q. What is a Walkout Basement Foundation?

A. A Walkout Basement Foundation is an elevated foundation which uses footing and foundation walls which support a wooden main floor. Generally, the Walkout Basement area under the main floor is a storage area 7’-0” to 8’-0” tall and has a concrete slab. This foundation type utilizes the slope of the ground to allow for a door that provides access to the outside. This access can be on the rear of the sides of the home


Q. What is a Post/Pier Foundation?

A. A Post/Pier Foundation is a collection of large diameter cylindrical columns to support the home. This type of foundation is used in areas of flooding.


Q. What is Included in a set of Home Plans?

A. Each set of Home Plans that we offer will provide you with the necessary information to build the home. There may be some adjustments necessary to the home plans or garage plans in order to comply with your state or county building codes. Our blueprints include a foundation page, floor plans (1st and 2nd floor as applicable), exterior elevations, sections, detail page, framing information and most include an electrical page.


Q. How Many Sets of Home Plans will I need?

A. The number of sets you will need will vary depending on you and your builder. In addition to a set of prints for you, you may need to provide a set of plans to the homebuilder, subcontractors, and local building departments.


Q. What is Included in a Materials List?

A. Material Lists are an add on option offered with the purchase of a home plan package with a license to build. This list will provide you with the building materials that you will need to complete the construction of your home. Standard material lists include the basic lumber, insulation, sheetrock, siding and roofing materials to build the base house.


Q. What is the Lowes Material List?

A. The Lowes Material List is a complete estimate of all materials needed to build your home. It includes concrete & masonry, framing lumber & sheathing, roofing & roofing accessories, siding & siding accessories, tyvek, felt, exterior trim, windows, exterior & interior doors, drywall, insulation, plumbing & electrical fixtures, interior trim, closet shelving and finish floors. This blueprint estimating service is subsidized by Lowes. Your local Lowes store will provide you with a cost quote for all of the materials in the estimate. You are under no obligation to buy anything from Lowes but you will get a full rebate for the cost of the estimate if you buy $5,000 worth of materials at Lowes. Click here for details


Q. Can I Modify the Home Plans or Garage Plans?

A. Any plan can be customized to suit your needs. To receive complimentary modification and design help, simply call our toll free number, (800) 209-6438 and our top architectural experts will work with you to make the changes you require. You'll save time and money by working directly with us. Your project will be completed quickly and professionally through the company you already know and trust. The cost of modifications is in addition to the base price. We require the purchase of a PDF or CAD to modify the plans.


Q. Will My Home Plans that I Purchase Contain All the Information Needed by my Local Building Codes?

A. No. Each town or city may vary in their building codes. You will need to take your plans to the local building department in your area to clarify what these codes require. In addition you will need to have such items as a site plan to show the location of the home on the lot.


Q. Do you offer help in modifying plans to meet our local building code with stamps or seals?

A. All architectural plans must meet both national and regional building codes. While all of our plans meet the current IRC (International Building Code), they may or may not meet your local building code if your state requires plans sealed by a state certified Architect, Engineer or CPBD (Certified Building Designer). If alterations are needed to meet your local codes, such as insulation, footing depth, wind and snow load, etc., we can make these adjustments. The most common areas requiring this service are coastal locations, particularly anywhere in New York or New Jersey. To make your project go more smoothly, we have a nationwide network of architects, Engineers and CPBD's (Certified Professional Building Designer) who are ready to adapt your chosen stock plan to meet your local building code.

We require the purchase of a PDF of CAD to complete this portion of your project.


Q. Can I Return The Plans if I Change My Mind?

A. No. Blueprints are considered to be viewed once delivery is accepted. Viewing of the plans constitutes that they have been used. Once used, no returns or exchanges will be accepted. All payments are non-refundable.


Q. Do the Home Plans Provide All of the Information Necessary for the HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Systems?

A. Our Homes are designed to meet the national building codes and not specific state or county codes, therefore, extensive HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems are not shown on the blueprints. With the prints you do receive an electrical page that shows you possible locations of switches, outlets, and lighting fixtures but ultimately a licensed electrician should do the layout.


Q. Are the Home Plans Copyrighted?

A. Yes, all plans contained on this website are the property of Accurate Estimates LLC. Law strictly prohibits reproduction in whole or in part. Only one home may be constructed from a set of purchased prints. Home plans may not be resold or copied. Strict penalties will be enforced for violators of copyright laws.


Q. How Long Does it Take to Get My Plans?

A. There are three shipping methods available ranging from 1 to 2 day Express up to 7 to 10 day Standard. You will select the shipping method you prefer at checkout.


Q. Is a Blueprint License Transferable even if I did not build the home?

A. No. When a set of Home Plans are ordered, the license issued bears the name of the person that ordered the plan and the license is not transferable for any reason.


Q. Do you offer plans with Multiple Build License?

A. Yes. This license is especially useful to builders. Call (800) 209-6438 for details and restrictions.


Q. What is True Mirror of a plan?

A. The complete plan package is flipped left to right and all text and numbers are right reading.


Q. What is a Mirror of a plan?

A. The complete plan package is flipped left to right and all text and numbers are backwards.


Q. How do I determine how much house I can afford? Cost-to-Build Calculator.

A. Budget is an important consideration when building a home. This calculator will help you to choose a home plan that you can afford, based on your location. Ideally, before you decide which home plan to purchase, you'll use our cost-to-build calculator to compare two or more home plans to determine the size of the home you can afford. Once you're done, you can then submit the results to your bank for loan requirements if you choose to move forward with the project.

Cost estimates for projects to not include:

  • Cost of land
  • Cost to clear land
  • Cost for site work
  • Cost for septic, well, or services
  • Cost for driveway

Prices are $29.95 for the first quote, and $19.95 for each additional quote placed on the same order.


Q. Do you offer complete custom designs from scratch?

A. Yes we do. Please call or email for a quote.