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Does Stock House Plans Contain Everything You Need To Build ?In most areas of the country, these stock house plans will be everything you need to build,but not necessarily everything you need to obtain a building permit. One question that we receive almost every day is whether or not the package for plan 1234 contains everything that a person would need to build the home in the state of (LOCATION). We wanted to provide some additional information to clarify the subject.
In addition to the house designs you order, you may also need to show where the house is going to be located on the property. You might also need beams sized to accommodate roof loads specific to your region. Your home builder can usually help you with this. You may also need a septic design unless your lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. Many areas now have area-specific energy codes that also have to be followed. This normally involves filling out a simple form providing documentation that your house plans are in compliance.
To find out what documents you should expect, see the FAQ at www.houseplancentral.com
In some regions, there is a second step you will need to take to insure you are in compliance with local codes. Some areas of North America have very strict engineering requirements. Examples of this would be earthquake-prone areas of California and the Pacific Coast, hurricane risk areas of the Florida, Gulf & Carolina Coasts. New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and parts of Illinois require review by a local professional as well. If you are building in these areas, it is most likely you will need to hire a state licensed structural engineer to analyze the design and provide additional drawings and calculations required by your building department. If you aren’t sure, building departments typically have a handout they will give you listing all of the items they require to submit for and obtain a building permit.
Additionally, these do not have a professional stamp attached. If your building department requires one,they will only accept a stamp from a professional licensed in the state where you choose to build. In this case, you will need to take them to a local engineer or architect for review and stamping. In addition, those which are used to construct homes in Nevada are required to be drawn by a licensed Nevada architect.
It is always a good idea to check with your local city, municipality, and state building authorities to ensure that your home construction will meet all applicable building codes.
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