What House Plan is Best For Me?

Milling through hundreds of house plans may seem like a lot of fun – until you realize how much work is involved and how frustrating the task can become. How do you decide on the perfect house floor plan for your family when all you have in front of you is a two-dimensional architectural drawing?

Size is the first decision you should make – it will help you narrow down the field to a more manageable number of potential candidates. Size is usually a reflection of what you can afford to build, but not always. Not everyone wants to contend with thousands of square feet of living space, as it can be difficult to maintain. Choose a size range based on your needs and budget.
Make a priorities list that includes number of bedrooms and baths, garage size, as well as features you definitely need and those that would be icing on the cake, such as a pool.
Think ahead and decide what you will need the house for as the years go by. Some families may need extra room for older parents or adult children at a later time.

The floor plan you choose also has to fit the lot on which you will be building. Take into consideration sloping, lot-line placement, and foundation options. If you've already chosen a lot, your plan options may be limited, whereas if you choose house plans first, you can shop for a lot that will fit the plans.

Look at the details of the plan. Analyze traffic patterns and determine if space is used efficiently. Make sure there is plenty of storage. If you need further assistance, ask a contractor to give the blueprints a second look.

House plans cost between $400 and $1,300 depending on the project. You'll have to buy at least 8 non-reproducible sets or one reproducible master set.

An architect can also help you make a decision when sifting through house plans.

You can make slight changes to a house plan so that it suits your family perfectly.

You can find many great house plans in catalogs and magazines in home stores and bookstores. You can also find them online.

Find a local Building contractor.
View more Building articles.