Drafting new house plans

[deaner]

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck with programs to help you draft your own home? We are going to be building in the next year or two and would like to get a blueprint done up so we are able to start budgeting and gathering materials.

Or even if a guy is going to hire someone, Ive heard that a guy doesnt need a full on architect......because a "home designer" can do the same thing for less money (and probably have more experience with single family home design). Does anyone know anyone who does this, and roughly how much it costs?

We have a really close idea of what we want. Very simple design. Would like to get it layed out though preferably with a 3D model so we can decide on little things like siding, finishing, colors, etc.

 

[maxwell]

depends if its cookie cutter or not then plans already exist and can be easly modified. the problem with hiring someone that isnt an architect is they cant properly size things like fountation walls, beams, support posts, floor joists, snow loads. and they deffinetly cant sign off on it. they can take your design from the architect and then make a 3d model and change things around and whatnot. but the structure itself needs to be designed by an architect. there is some really sweet cheap and even free software for interior design/layout once you have dimensions. they can design your home but in the end you have to pay an architect to check it over and sign off on it

 

[gates559]

A lot of building suppliers will let you use their architect free as long as you buy your materials through them.

 

[sledneck_03]

Lol architect? All you need is a draftsman that does plans and knows the codes of the city and building codes.

I just got plans done for a 2000 sq ft 2 storey with a 2.5 garage. Was $1750. Was quoted max $400,000 to build plus lot with the specs we gave like stucco, metal clad windows, stone counter tops, knock down cabinets with wood doors, hard wood main with tile baths and carpet upper.

I use to do house plans for a guy, he has a company and has no drafting schooling just learned from building and playing with the software. Just need to meet codes, anything looks not to code or weird needs a engineer to look at it, or depending on city might need stamping anyways.

 

[meatbag]

Ya, you can get around the big $ architect guy. I studied architecture and then landscape architecture(believe it or not lol) many years. You have lots of options. You could even go to the architecture building at NAIT and they would probably do it for you for a project. Lol. Code books are your friends!

Lol architect? All you need is a draftsman that does plans and knows the codes of the city and building codes.

I just got plans done for a 2000 sq ft 2 storey with a 2.5 garage. Was $1750. Was quoted max $400,000 to build plus lot with the specs we gave like stucco, metal clad windows, stone counter tops, knock down cabinets with wood doors, hard wood main with tile baths and carpet upper.

I use to do house plans for a guy, he has a company and has no drafting schooling just learned from building and playing with the software. Just need to meet codes, anything looks not to code or weird needs a engineer to look at it, or depending on city might need stamping anyways.

 

[deaner]

As far as code goes, our local building inspector here is an awesome guy. I made a last minute addition to my shop when I built it and was apologetic about it. He was like, oh no worries at all, and pulls out his drafting ruler and draws up the blueprints for me including beam and rafter sizes......everything. Really nice guy, and really good at his job.

 

[Beels]

Lol architect? All you need is a draftsman that does plans and knows the codes of the city and building codes.

I just got plans done for a 2000 sq ft 2 storey with a 2.5 garage. Was $1750. Was quoted max $400,000 to build plus lot with the specs we gave like stucco, metal clad windows, stone counter tops, knock down cabinets with wood doors, hard wood main with tile baths and carpet upper.

I use to do house plans for a guy, he has a company and has no drafting schooling just learned from building and playing with the software. Just need to meet codes, anything looks not to code or weird needs a engineer to look at it, or depending on city might need stamping anyways.

If the basement isn't finished, that quote won't be too far off.

For ours, my sister in-law used to work for a builder in the Edmonton area and we used a plan of theirs with slight modifications. Had a guy out of Saskatoon do our blueprints and it was roughly the same price.

 

[ferniesnow]

As said above, architect is not required for residential housing. Neither is an engineer other than the trusses. The truss plans must have an engineers stamp on them and that comes from the truss company and is included in the price of the trusses. Basically, draw your floor plan and a good framer can help you with the rest. This is not rocket science.

Depending on soil conditions, you may need some professional aspects with regards to footings and/or sub-surface water but the building inspector would clue you in pretty quick.

I did my initial plan with Vilas and took that to Nelson Homes and they did the big blue print and that was included in the cost.

 

[Teth-Air]

My wife has good experience doing this and has worked for several home builders. She is often looking for this type of work. PM me if you are interested and I will ask her.

 

[sledneck_03]

As said above, architect is not required for residential housing. Neither is an engineer other than the trusses. The truss plans must have an engineers stamp on them and that comes from the truss company and is included in the price of the trusses. Basically, draw your floor plan and a good framer can help you with the rest. This is not rocket science.

Depending on soil conditions, you may need some professional aspects with regards to footings and/or sub-surface water but the building inspector would clue you in pretty quick.

I did my initial plan with Vilas and took that to Nelson Homes and they did the big blue print and that was included in the cost.

my works shop is on full screw piles. luckily as an engineering firm we have connections with other engineering firms. Was looking into this with our new build, it was crazy how much it was to get done by concrete company, they must charge you crazy high pricing to general that out compared to what it was per pile and the engineered pile layout drawing set my bosses got done for our shop.

 

[tater]

Make sure you puttin lots of masonry on that new shack! I know a guy that likes coming to creston in the summer!!

 

[deaner]

Make sure you puttin lots of masonry on that new shack! I know a guy that likes coming to creston in the summer!!

Heck yeah buddy!

 

[sledneck_03]

didnt like how draftsman had house on lot. moved it around my self, think i like this. Had 21 feet for the driveway, barely fit a truck on that. 8'6" between property line and garage corner at tightest.......... should be able to back a trailer beside the garage if need be. bit tight but that should be a minimum depending on neighbors fence, may be able to over hang on his yard a bit to make it easier.

back yard is stupid big.... Not sure what to do with it. got the lot for $200k, was $220k last summer, they opened a new area and smaller pie lots are mid $200s and up now.

 

[ferniesnow]

Make sure you puttin lots of masonry on that new shack! I know a guy that likes coming to creston in the summer!!

I can see it all now............:d

 

[Beels]

My brother is at the center of a cul-de-sac in Spruce Grove. The large back yard is nice, but what he hates is not having any room between his and the neighbour's driveway to pile snow in the winter.