Stock plans are building plans that you can order from a magazine, catalog, or website. Some builders offer such pre-designed plans. Although not designed specifically for you, homes built from these types of plans can be very nice and attractive.
However, given the time and cost of building a home (which is an inherently custom process), many will never consider anything but custom plans made just for them or by them. However, stock plans can certainly be attractive and have a definite value.
Here are some of the pros and cons of buying stock plans:
Positives:
- Inventory plans can be less expensive. Prices for group plans can run to a thousand dollars — or less. The plans are listed like a list and the prices for the plans are posted clearly. Once you decide on a plan, it’s an easy process to click through and buy. You choose the graphic format and quantity.
- Inventory plans can save time choosing a home. Since the designs are finalized and there for review, if you can choose quickly, you can save time. Plans are usually shown as floor plans and exterior views. Depending on the catalog, you may only get a front view, and sometimes a few views to help you understand the design. It is a mail order solution. Mail-order items have long been a part of our culture—from mail-order wedding orders to Sears mail-order kit homes.
- These pre-designed plans are usually combinations from a wide variety of perspectives. This can be motivating as you go over plans and perspectives. You will find “new” ideas that you probably haven’t considered before.
- Inventory plans catalogs can start your imagination. They can get your creative juices flowing. Inventory plans can be a valuable starting point for exploring new ideas.
cons
- Inventory plans are rarely ready to allow this. If it is submitted for permits without additional formalities, it is likely to be denied.
- The engineer’s or architect’s seal (it looks like an old notary’s seal) is required on plans in many areas (you should check with your local building department). Getting a professional stamp isn’t as easy as it sounds. It would require several professionals to redraw or, at a minimum, many revisions and additions to bring the plans up to local codes and worthy of their stamp. The fee for this can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars and will take several weeks to do depending on the project and the time of the professional.
- Some revisions are inevitable. Because plans aren’t meant for you, it’s rare that you don’t see the things you want to change. This can be costly because most stock plan companies are not set up for individual attention.
- Stock plans are reused plans that have been built many times before. For some, this can be a negative factor.
- Plans from the Internet or catalog are designed for a similar mass attraction to automobiles and other consumer goods. This is beneficial for factory-created items because it keeps prices down. But because home building is always the norm, some consider a home designed for mass-market appeal to be a waste of opportunity. It would be usual to build a car and end up with a Ford Taurus. what is the point?
- Inventory plans are designed to be built in many locations. The regions of the country have cellars, snow, tornadoes, cold temperatures, warm temperatures, and many other factors that are unique to each region. Certain types of building regulations are common in certain areas – and general plans cannot cover all possibilities. In addition, local traders will discover the exchange and mark it as such – not always in a positive light.
However, pre-designed plans by a local builder can circumvent many of these issues. They will generally be ready for permits, will be recognized locally, and if the builder has set conditions for changes this can be very good value.
In short, stock plans are valuable for study and education and are a fertile source of ideas. However, they will likely turn out to be not as cheap as you first think, or fast, and they certainly won’t be something tailor-made for you.
Having a professional work with you and you to develop a custom design based on your ideas, concepts, and various ideas that you’ve gathered from many sources, combined with his or her experienced creativity, will allow you to take full advantage of the truly custom nature of building a home.
Remember, homebuilding is the only industry that remains truly customized in nature – so should designs.