| Q: | If I order an optional foundation, will I also receive the standard foundation?
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| A: | Customers purchasing a single build license will receive one foundation type. Our customer service staff will be happy to request multiple foundation types for customers purchasing a license to build multiple homes. Please contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190 for assistance. Our team is available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | How long will it take for me to receive my plans once I order them?
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| A: | Standard printed plan delivery is 7-10 business days. We also offer Priority (3-5 business days) and Express (1-2 business days). We recommend that customers purchase a PDF version of their plans for expedited delivery. Standard PDF plans are typically emailed within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | I want to build a home, but where do I start?
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| A: | Many local building departments provide online resources with valuable information regarding local building codes, permit requirements, and blueprint submission guidelines. It is recommended that you begin by consulting your local building department, a qualified local builder, and your Homeowner’s Association (HOA), if applicable, to determine the specific requirements for your future home.
Many municipalities and communities enforce regulations such as minimum square footage requirements, setback restrictions, height limitations, and other zoning standards that may significantly impact the size, width, or depth of the home you ultimately select.
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| Q: | What are your office hours?
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| A: | Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | What are building codes?
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| A: | Building codes are a set of legally adopted rules that dictate how buildings must be designed and constructed to ensure they’re safe, durable, and functional. International Residential Code (IRC) is the minimum standards required by law, but some areas have adopted additional code requirements. We recommend that you consult with your local building department or builder prior to purchasing blueprints, to determine if any additional code requirements exist in your area.
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| Q: | How many sets of blueprints do I really need to build a home?
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| A: | It depends. In most cases one set for you, one or two for your builder, one to two sets for your building department, one set for the bank, one set for each contractor or subcontractor and so on. Paper blueprints cannot be copied so a minimum of 3 to 5 sets is necessary. We recommend that customers purchase a PDF version of their plans to best address all needs they may have. PDF plans can be submitted via email and come with unlimited print rights, allowing customers to print as many copies as needed from their local print shop.
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| Q: | What is your return policy?
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| A: | All plan purchases are non-refundable. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to carefully review and verify all lot conditions, measurements, and applicable building code requirements prior to placing an order and beginning construction.
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| Q: | Are study sets available?
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| A: | Only a small percentage of designers offer preview versions of their plans for purchase. Study sets typically contain redacted plan details and are intended for preliminary review purposes only.
Customers seeking cost to build estimates may wish to purchase a StartBuild Report.
Our customer service team would be happy to confirm whether a study set is available for any specific plan. Please contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | What is a material list and do I need one to build my home?
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| A: | A material list is a detailed document outlining the quantities, dimensions, and descriptions of the building materials required to construct a home. While purchasing a material list is not necessary to build your home, it can be an extremely helpful resource during the planning and construction process.
Material lists can assist contractors and suppliers in providing faster and more accurate bids, while also helping homeowners better estimate costs and avoid purchasing unnecessary materials. This can potentially save both time and money throughout construction.
Please note that material lists are prepared based on the standard foundation option only and do not include alternate or optional foundation types.
Some home plans offer material lists that may be purchased directly online. When available, the material list option will be displayed on the individual plan page.
If a material list is not currently offered for a specific plan, a custom material list may be created upon request. To receive a quote, please download and complete the Modification Request Form and email the completed form to customize@designamerica.com. You may also contact our customer service team by phone at 1-877-620-9190 for assistance.
Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time. Modification quotes are typically provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
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| Q: | Can I purchase a material list prior to purchasing blueprints?
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| A: | To help protect against copyright infringement, material lists are only available for purchase in conjunction with a home plan.
Customers who are primarily interested in a cost to build estimate may wish to purchase a StartBuild Report.
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| Q: | Can we build the house more than once?
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| A: | Most plan purchases include a license permitting the construction of one home only. Constructing additional homes from the same plan without obtaining the appropriate licensing constitutes an infringement of the designer’s copyright.
Builders intending to construct multiple homes must purchase an additional build license or a multi-build license. Our customer service team would be happy to assist with determining the availability and pricing of commercial licensing options.
Please contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | What is CAD?
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| A: | CAD files provide a complete set of construction drawings in an editable electronic format. They are especially beneficial for customers planning moderate to substantial modifications to a home design or needing to adapt the plans to meet local building codes.
With the CAD file option, you may provide the plans to the design professional of your choice to discuss desired revisions or site-specific requirements. Because the files are editable, modifications can typically be completed more efficiently and accurately than with paper drawings or PDF files, potentially saving both time and money during the design process.
Your CAD file purchase also includes a copyright release authorizing approved modifications to the plans, as well as permission to print the copies necessary for construction of your home. Access to CAD files requires compatible computer-aided design (CAD) software. In many cases, these programs are commercially licensed and may require a paid subscription or purchase in order to view or modify the files.
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| Q: | Is it possible to obtain the rear, right and left elevations before purchasing the plans?
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| A: | Yes, many elevations are available on our website. If a specific elevation is not displayed, our customer service team would be happy to verify its availability for you.
Please contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | How do I know if I can afford to build the plan I’m interested in purchasing?
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| A: | We partner with Startbuild to offer a comprehensive cost-to-build estimate based on your zip code and finish level preferences. Just search online for the plan number(s) you are interested in purchasing and select the orange ‘Request Your Report’ button on each plan’s page to get started.
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| Q: | Do you ship the plans overseas?
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| A: | Yes, we ship internationally. Select the appropriate country of delivery, during check out.
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| Q: | Are there additional photographs available for the home that I am interested in?
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| A: | We make every effort to upload new photographs and image submissions to our website as soon as they become available. If you are looking for additional images for a specific home plan, our customer service team would be happy to check for any newly available photographs or plan images.
Please contact us by email at customerservice@designamerica.com
or by phone at 1-877-620-9190. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
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| Q: | Can I go see a home that has already been built?
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| A: | To respect and protect the privacy of homeowners, we do not disclose the locations of homes that have been built from our plans.
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| Q: | What makes a home plan energy efficient?
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| A: | Energy efficient homes have increased insulation from either 2" x 6" exterior walls, insulated concrete form walls or expanding foam insulation. In addition, most plans specify insulated exterior doors and windows and added ceiling insulation. After choosing your home plan, you may decide to build green by incorporating green lumber, bamboo flooring, solar panels, Energy Star® rated windows and appliances, and naturally dyed carpets and “green” paints. Local Home Builders Association Chapters have specific guidelines to determine if a house is Green Certified if you wish to have your home inspected.
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| Q: | Does a "green" home cost more?
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| A: | Yes and No. Upfront costs for energy efficient materials are typically higher than standard products. However, energy efficient homes cost less to operate. A green home will provide homeowners with monthly savings on utility bills that may pay for the initial upfront overages. Also, a green home will likely have a higher resale value.
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| Q: | How do homeowners benefit from building green?
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| A: | Green homes are designed to operate more efficiently and economically, often resulting in lower monthly utility costs. Improved insulation and energy-efficient construction methods can also enhance year-round comfort by reducing drafts and maintaining more consistent indoor temperatures.
In addition, green building practices contribute to healthier indoor air quality through improved ventilation systems and the reduced use of materials containing harmful chemicals. Environmentally conscious homeowners can also take pride in knowing their home helps minimize environmental impact by reducing energy consumption and airborne pollutants.
Beyond the day-to-day benefits, green homes may also offer increased long-term resale value due to their efficiency, sustainability, and growing market appeal.
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