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| Q |
How many plan sets do I need? |
| A |
The number of sets you will need can vary depending on your
specific situation. Besides a set for yourself, you will need sets
for your builder, mortgage lender, local building department, and any
subcontractors who need one. |
| Q |
Can I purchase the one set plan package and have them
copied? |
| A |
All of our blueprints are protected under the copyright
law. You may not make any photocopies and/or computer generated
copies of the plans for any purpose, except in the purchase of
reproducible vellums or CAD files. Multiple sets will be needed to
build one house. It is more cost-effective to purchase multiple sets
at the time of your original order. However, if you need additional
sets, they can be purchased at a special price within ninety days of your
original order. |
| Q |
Can I return the plans? |
| A |
Because our plans are copyrighted, we cannot allow refunds
or exchanges. Please double-check your selection before
ordering. We encourage you to learn the building codes for your
area. If you have a builder in mind, show him the plan and determine
what he will need to build the home and meet local building codes.
Feel free to call contact
our office to discuss any concerns you may have before ordering. |
| Q |
How is the total living square feet determined? |
| A |
All square footage is calculated from the outside face of
the stud to the outside face of the stud. For brick, it is
calculated to the outside face of the brick. Total living square
footage includes only the heated area of the house and does not include
the garage, storage areas or bonus rooms. |
| Q |
What is the exterior wall construction? |
| A |
We design all of our plans with 2x4s on a 16"
center. Please contact
us for information on conversion to 2x6s. |
| Q |
Do you make modifications to your plans to meet local
codes? |
| A |
We cannot make changes to meet your local building
codes. At the time of creation our plans are designed to meet the
UBC (Uniform Building Code). National and local building codes vary
with location and change from time to time. Consequently, it may be
necessary for you to meet with a local builder, architect or other
construction professional to review your local building codes and make any
changes to the plan these codes may require. |
| Q |
How often do you release new plans? |
| A |
We are continuously generating new plans in order to meet
the demands of our customers. And as these new plans are created, we
post them to this website. Consult the House
Plans page to explore out ever-growing collection of house plans. |
| Q |
What do I receive when I purchase a plan package? |
| A |
When you purchase a plan package, you receive the license to
build that plan one (1) time (this will be labeled on the outside of your
package) and you will receive the construction drawings. The
construction drawings include the floor plans, foundation plans, exterior
elevations, interior elevations, door and window schedules, necessary wall
sections/details, structural plan and a basic electrical plan.
Heating/air conditioning layouts are not included. Consult a local
mechanical contractor for systems suitable for your local climate
conditions. |
| Q |
Do you think I could build this house myself without
hiring a licensed builder? |
| A |
We recommend you hire a licensed builder. Most states
require a licensed builder for any residential or commercial project over
a specific dollar value. Check out www.contractors-license.org
to find out the license requirements for your state or to find out if a
builder is licensed in your state. To find your local Home Builders
Association and other helpful resources, visit www.nahb.org.
To find out if there have been any complaints registered against your
builder, call your local Better Business Bureau or visit www.bbb.org.
Lastly, make sure you always ask for and check at least three references,
along with seeing examples of his/her work. |
| Q |
Do you make modifications to your plans to meet personal
preferences? |
| A |
Our architectural staff members are available to answer
questions about our plans and the feasibility of the changes you are
requesting. Please contact
us for additional information. |
| Q |
What is a reproducible vellum? |
| A |
Reproducible vellums are ideal if you intend to make changes
to a plan. They allow qualified architects and engineers to modify
the design without having to completely redraw the plans. We
recommend you consult the professional making changes before
purchasing. The purchaser is permitted to reproduce a maximum of 15
sets of plans from the vellums. If you intend to build a plan more
than once, please contact our sales
staff for more information. You may use one of the following items
to remove the image from the vellum paper (these items can be purchased at
a blueprint/drafting supply store).
- Xerographic eradicator fluid such as Michlin film eradicating fluid
applied per manufacturer directions.
- A dark gray ink eraser in an electric eraser.
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| Q |
What if the plan does not come with the foundation I
need? |
| A |
Most of our plans come with a basement foundation with
others available on a slab or crawl space. If the plan you have
selected was not designed for your preferred foundation, we can modify
your plan's foundation structure. Please contact
us for additional information and fees. |
| Q |
Why aren't HVAC, plumbing and electrical details
included? |
| A |
Because local HVAC codes, climatic requirements and commonly
used systems vary dramatically throughout the country, we do not include
this detail on our plans. Likewise, we do not know which direction
the water flow will enter your house or where the electrical feed will
enter. Your local HVAC contractor, plumber and electrician can
determine the best layout for your new home. |
| Q |
Do you have study plans? |
| A |
We offer a Study Plan Package, which is an a non reproducible, copyrighted, scaled down to fit an 11x17
print of the actual floor plan(s) and elevations. Study plans provide
you and your builder accurate information about room sizes, window and door
sizes, and elevation details. The cost is nonrefundable but will be
credited to the cost of five or seven full sets of construction
blueprints. Study plans are not for construction purposes and a
license to build the plan is not included. Study plans are mailed via
First Class postage by the US Postal Service. |
| Q |
What is included in a Materials List? |
| A |
We currently are not providing a
materials lists for out plans at this time. We are currently working
at adding this feature to our plans. Our materials lists will be
compiled using Quick Bid 2000 estimating software. The cost for
materials lists will vary depending on the size of the plan you
choose. |
| Q |
Do you know if this house has been built in my area? |
| A |
We may be able to provide you with the names of builders or
contractors who have purchased the plan. You may contact them
directly to see if the home has been built and where. Keep in mind
that changes may have been made to the plan, so it may look different from
the original design. |
| Q |
Ounce I have purchased my Plan Package, how many times
may I build the plan? |
| A |
As the registered user of a plan, you are licensed to build
only one structure (including derivatives) from the plans, regardless of
the number of plan sets you have purchased. If you intend to build a
plan more than once contact our sales
group for more information. Note: Plans are licensed to the user
only. Reselling or transferring plans is prohibited and subject to
license violation fines. |
| Q |
What is a CAD File? |
| A |
All our plans can be ordered in
electronic or CAD format which makes making minor changes even easier.
By purchasing one set of CAD drawings from GMS Designs, Inc., you are
allowed to make minor changes to the plan. You then may make up to 15
sets of prints, as long as they are for the construction of one home.
GMS Designs, Inc. uses AutoCAD as its standard CAD format. One
complete set of house or garage plans in digital format on CD.
Qualified professionals must undertake any changes made to CAD files.
GMS Designs, Inc. is not responsible for any changes made to the house or
garage plans (CAD files) by others. |
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