Plan Options
What Architectural Options are Available?
Some Architectural Plans do not include these sections due to practical considerations of the construction process, and variations in regulatory environments. Some sections may be required by your local municipality. Before purchasing a plan set, we recommend you contact your builder, general contractor, and local housing authority regarding the relevant building codes for your city, county, and state. Cross-reference the Plan Detail page to determine what is may be needed.
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Some Architectural Plans do not include these sections due to practical considerations of the construction process, and variations in regulatory environments. Some sections may be required by your local municipality. Before purchasing a plan set, we recommend you contact your builder, general contractor, and local housing authority regarding the relevant building codes for your city, county, and state.
Which Plan File Formats Are Available?
PDF is the most popular format for its file size, quality and flexibility to easily print and mark up.
5-Set Package
5-set package is the package that provides five complete sets of full-sized architectural drawings, printed and mailed directly to you.
8-Set Package
8-set package is the useful package having extra sets to submit to different parties.
Print with Copyright
Print with copyright is the physical set comes with a copyright release.
CAD Files
CAD Files allow a design professional to easily modify the existing plan for your unique use case.
Choosing a Foundation
Residential construction allows for several different styles of foundations:crawl space foundation, basement foundation and slab foundation that have unique advantages and disadvantages in different climates and conditions.
Additional Options
Mirror Reverse and Right Reading Reverse
Mirror Reverse or Full Reverse flips the entire plan to the inverse layout. Plans are not readable (The text appears reading backwards), and the layout is less convenient to work with. Generally speaking, this option is only used when absolutely necessary, and usually requires more work to make it useable.
Right Reading Reverse flips the entire plan so the text and plan both are reoriented in reverse fashion, so that the left is on the right, and the right side of the plan is on the left. The text is reoriented so it is naturally readable.
Big Hills House Plans provides the option to reverse the house plan so that you can work with the configuration you need.
Important Note: When you purchase a 5-Set Package and indicate you want the Full Reverse option, you will receive 1 set of regular plans for reading and dimensions, and 4 sets of reversed plans.
2×4 and 2×6 Conversions
While 2×4 construction is the leading framing option in the United States, due to colder climates, many northern regions in the United States require or benefit from 2×6 framing builds. In the north, 2×6 framing allows for better structural rigidity and resistance to warping. It also assists with heating and cooling costs.
Some house plans are also available in a 2×6 configuration. Please see Plan Options to determine if the house plan offers a 2×6 conversion. If no option exists, a conversion can be ordered as a Plan Modification.
Material List
These helpful lists include all the building materials needed to construct the house plan. Because not all designers offer these lists, if needed, it is recommended that you contact a local building supply company and have them create the list for you.