“Inventory plans” are construction drawings that you can order from a magazine, catalog, or website. Some builders offer such pre-built plans. Although they are not custom designed for you, homes built from these types of plans can be nice and quite attractive.
However, given the time and cost of building a home (which is a custom process by its nature), many would never consider anything more than custom plans designed exclusively for them or by them. However, stock plans can certainly be attractive and have definite value.
Here are some of the pros and cons of buying inventory stock plans:
Pros:
- Stock plans can be less expensive. Prices for a set of plans can be $ 1,000 or less. The plans are listed as a menu and the prices of the plans are clearly posted. Once you’ve decided on a plan, it’s a simple click-and-buy process. You choose the shape of the drawing and the quantity.
- Inventory plans can save time when selecting a home. Since the designs are ready and there for your review, if you can select quickly, you can save time. Floor plans are generally shown as floor plans and exterior views. Depending on the catalog, you may get just a front view and sometimes even a few views to help you understand the layout. It is a mail order solution. Mail order items have been a part of our culture for a long time, from mail order brides to Sears mail order kit houses.
- These predesigned plans are usually collections from a variety of points of view. This can be exhilarating as you navigate the plans and views. You will find “new” ideas that you probably haven’t considered before.
- Stock plan catalogs can jump-start your imagination. They can get creative juices flowing. Stock plans can be a valuable starting point for exploring new ideas.
Cons
- Stock plans are rarely permit-ready. If they apply for permits without additional actions, they are likely to be rejected.
- The professional engineer or architect stamp (looks like the old notary stamp) is required on plans in many locations (check with your local building department). Obtaining a professional stamp is not as easy as it sounds. Many professionals will require redrawing or at the very least several revisions and additions to make the plans conform to local codes and be worthy of your stamp. The fees for this can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars and will take several weeks depending on the project and the professional’s time.
- Some revisions are unavoidable. Because the plans are not personalized to you, it’s rare that you don’t see the things you want to change. This can be expensive because most stock plan companies are not prepared for individualized care.
- Stock-Plans are repurposed plans that have been built multiple times before. For some, this can be a negative factor.
- Internet or catalog plans are designed for mass appeal similar to cars and other consumer goods. This is beneficial for factory-created items because it keeps prices low. But since home construction is always custom, a home designed for mass market appeal is considered by some to be a waste of opportunity. It would be custom to build a car and end up with a Ford Taurus. What is the point?
- Inventory plans are designed to be built in many places. Areas of the country have basements, snow, hurricanes, cool temperatures, warm temperatures, and many other factors that are unique to each area. Certain types of building systems are common in certain areas, and generic plans cannot cover all possibilities. Also, local merchants will see the Stock Home and mark it as such, not always in a positive light.
However, plans prepared by a local builder can avoid many of these problems. They will usually be permit-ready, locally recognized, and if the builder has made provisions for changes, these can be very good value.
In short, action plans are valuable for study and education and are a fertile source of ideas. However, they may not be as inexpensive as you might initially think, or as fast, and they certainly won’t be something designed just for you.
Having a professional working for and with you to develop a custom design based on your ideas, notions, and various ideas that you have collected from many sources, as well as your seasoned creativity will allow you to take full advantage of the truly personalized nature. to build a house.
Remember, home building is the only industry that remains truly personalized by nature; designs should be too.