It’s exciting to build your dream house, but you will have to make a decision about whether or not you want a standard plan. The decision you make will affect more than your budget. It can also impact your schedule, your design flexibility and your overall experience. Custom plans are the most personal option. Stock plans can be a good solution for cost and efficiency, but they also offer a high level of customization. Which approach is best for you? This guide will help you decide which option is best for you by comparing the costs, benefits, and hidden costs of the different options. We’ll use data from both the National Association of Home Builders and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to do this.
You’ll have to decide whether you want to build a home from a standard house plan, or commission one that is unique. We at The House Plan Company understand that this choice impacts your budget as well as your timeline, the level of customization, and your long-term satisfaction. We’ll explore the cost differences of these two options to assist you in making an informed choice.
Understanding Stock House Plans
These architectural plans are pre-designed and can be purchased as is or modified. The plans are almost ready from a design standpoint and ready for the next step, local review. This offers a more streamlined route to construction.
Stock House Plans Costs Breakdown
- The average cost of stock home plans is as follows:
- Cost of construction plans: $1000 to $3000
- Minor changes: Modification charges range from $500 to $2000 (depending upon complexity).
- Engineer review: 500-$1,200 depending on location and requirements of building codes
- Total design cost: typically 1-2% of the total construction budget
Stock plans are a great way to reduce design time from months down to a few weeks. This can save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest and carrying costs.
Stock House Plans: Benefits
- Lower upfront cost
- The construction can start much earlier.
- Construction surprises are reduced by using proven designs. Plans that have been constructed multiple times.
- Build familiarity with local builders: They may be familiar with stock building plans.
- Visual certainty: From the very beginning, you know what to expect.
Understanding Custom House Plans
These plans are designed specifically to meet your needs and preferences. They also take into consideration the location of the building. The plans will be developed in collaboration with an architect or designer.
Custom House Plans Costs
NAHB has reported the following costs for custom-designed homes:
- Architecture fees range from $8,000 to $15,000 for houses under 3,000 sq. ft. (typically $3-$8 a square foot).
- Engineering costs: $1,000-$3,000
- Specialty consultations: $1,000-$5,000 (landscape architects, interior designers, etc.)
- Revisions: Included in the architect’s fee, but may add to costs if they are extensive
- The total design budget is typically 5-15% the construction budget
The HUD reports that the process of customizing a design typically takes between 3 and 6 months. This means that carrying costs for land are higher, as well as material prices due to inflation.
Custom House Plans: Benefits
- You can customize your own product to suit you perfectly.
- Site optimization: Customized for the topography, views and features of your property
- Savings potential: Customized space and energy planning reduces utility costs and maintenance.
- Unique design: A home that is unique to you and reflects your aesthetic
- Ability to solve problems: Able to handle unusual or challenging situations
The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home
Prices for stock plans and customized plans are not always accurate. You may need to consider these additional costs:
To Stock Plan:
- Modifications: Changing a plan from a standard to customised can cost between 50-75% more than the custom design fee
- NAHB says that site adaptation can increase the value of a stock plan by $2,000 to $7,000.
- Plans: multiple copies to be distributed for permits, subcontractors, and contractors (usually between $100-$350).
- Construction issues that are not anticipated: generic designs may fail to anticipate local conditions
To Order Custom Plans, Please:
- Extended timeline for carrying costs of land and construction loan during longer design phases
- Order changes: mid-design modifications can result in additional charges
- Premium construction costs: Unique designs often require more skilled labor
- Building departments may charge higher fees for complex designs.
A Modified Stock Plan
HUD’s research shows that modified stock plans can provide up to 70 percent of customization for only 25-30% the cost of a custom-designed home. The House Plan Company specializes in helping our clients find stock plans that have good bones and can be modified to suit specific needs.
Comparing Real Costs: Example of a 2,500 square foot Home
Here’s a comparison of a home with 2,500 square feet:
Stock Plan Approach:
- Basic plan: $1.800
- Small modifications $1200
- Engineering review: $800
- Total design cost: $3.800 (approximately 1 % of the construction budget).
- Timeline: 2 to 4 weeks before permits are issued
Custom Plan Approach:
- Architectural design: $10,000-$15,000
- Engineering: $2,000
- Consultations: $1,500
- Costs of design: between $13,500 and $ 18,500 (approximately 5-6 percent of the construction budget).
- Timeline: 3 to 6 months prior to submitting a permit application
How to Make the Best Decision for Your Project
There are many factors to consider when choosing a vehicle, and not just the upfront cost.
Stock Plans May Be Better If:
- Your budget is limited and your timeline is tight
- Your design meets between 75-90 percent of your requirements
- The building site is flat and relatively standard
- Predictability is important to you in construction
- Your home is being built in an area with homes that are similar.
Custom Plans May Be Better If:
- Stock plans do not address your lifestyle needs
- You may face challenges on your building site
- Your vision is to create a unique home.
- Priorities include long-term effectiveness and individualization
Balance Budgets and Dreams
We’ve assisted thousands of homeowners in making this crucial decision. Custom designs offer unmatched customization. Stock plans are efficient and cost-effective, but they also provide a remarkable level of value. Modified stock plans are the perfect balance for many of our customers. They combine the advantages of predesigned plans, with personalized touches to make the house feel more like home.
The design phase may only represent 1 to 15% of the total budget but has a significant impact on construction costs, long-term satisfaction and more. The foundation of your homebuilding experience is laid here.
Our team will guide you through the entire process, providing expert advice and support at every stage.
The data used in this article comes from the National Association of Home Builders’ Cost of Construction Survey and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s residential construction performance guidelines. The cost of construction can vary depending on the location, local market conditions and project specifications.
What The House Plan Company Offers
The House Plan Company, a website that is easy to navigate, offers house plans, garages, and other accessory structures pre-designed by the best architects and designers in America. It is possible to customize or modify a garage or house plan by working with the award-winning team of design professionals at The House Plan Company. The House Plan Company offers a wide range of garage plans, house plans and accessory plans.
