All Topics > Real Estate Resources > New Construction > Tips on Building > Pros and Cons of House Plans >

Pros and Cons of House Plans Florida

Weigh the pros and cons before you decide if using house plans is right for you.

Local Companies

AIA Rojas
305-923-3567
540 White Street
Key West, FL

AM Johnson Architect
239-597-7278
1205 Piper Blvd #202
Naples, FL

Stuebben Architecture + Environment
904.396.1018
P.O. Box 600638
Jacksonville, FL

Brenner and Associates, Architecture, Inc.
772-562-1716
1717 Indian River blvd., Suite 202B
Vero Beach, FL

Klar & Klar Architects, Inc.
(727) 799-5420
28473 US Hwy 19 N #602
Clearwater, FL

O'Donnell Dannwolf and Partners, Architects Inc.
954-518 0833
4601 Sheridan Street, Suite 420
Hollywood, FL

TWOstories
727 644 1061
841 3rd ave n
st petersburg, FL

Alfonso Hernandez Architect, LLC
561-653-3939
224 Datura Street, Suite 1212
West Palm Beach, FL

Sun-Tech Engineering, Inc.
954-777-3123
1600 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Bennett Shuman, Architect AIA
850-433-8235
1010 N. 12th Ave.
Pensacola, FL

provided by:

There are pros and cons to using house plans to build your dream house. Assuming that you have decided to avoid the new home community route, you have to decide if you want to build with stock house plans or custom plans. Weighing the pros and cons can help you to make that decision.

Pros of using house plans

Using stock house plans is a fraction of the cost of having custom plans drawn up.
The overall cost of building the home is less. With custom plans, the material costs may not be known until later in the process and can quickly add up. With house plans, the material list is already a part of the plan so it is easier to get an accurate estimate of what the final cost will be.
House plans can be modified if you do not find one that is exactly like you want.
Instead of waiting weeks for the plans to be created, you simply order house plans off the Internet and have them in a few days.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of plans to choose from. This makes it easier to find the home right for you.

Cons of using house plans

You are limited. With custom plans, you can create the exact home of your dreams, for a price. With house plans, you have to work with what is available.
You may have problems finding the perfect house plan that fits on your lot. Some lots are so small or unique in size that they require a very specific design for a perfect fit.
Local building codes may make it impossible to use house plans. For example, in hurricane-prone areas, local codes may require pilings or other features that are just easier to create with a custom plan.
The size of your lot may restrict the size of your house. It may be hard to find a house plan with the specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms that you want for the size of a house dictated by your lot size.

Assess your situation and create a pros and cons list specific for you. You may be able to save money using stock house plans, but you may have to sacrifice some of what you want in a home. Or, your lot may prevent you from using stock house plans at all. Of course, it is also possible that you will find the perfect house plan at a reasonable price so you can start building your dream home.

Published on February 15, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

AIA Rojas

305-923-3567
540 White Street
Key West, FL
www.oldhousearchitect.com

Read more about Pros and Cons of House Plans

- Finding the Right House Plan Florida

Find the right house plan for you by using the following factors.

- Cost of House Plans Florida
- Finding House Plans Florida
- Condominium or house: Which is right for you? Florida
- Pros and Cons of Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages Florida
- Pros and cons of condominium living Florida
- Pros and Cons of Buying Pre-Constructed Homes Florida
- Finding the Right Builder for Your House Plans Florida
- Living with a roommate Florida
- Pros and Cons of Open Houses Florida

Regional Articles

- Finding the Right Builder for Your House Plans Florida

Finding a builder for your house plans is just as important as finding the plans themselves.

- Finding House Plans Florida
- Living with a roommate Florida
- Finding the Right House Plan Florida
- Pros and Cons of Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages Florida
- Pros and Cons of Open Houses Florida
- Pros and cons of condominium living Florida
- Pros and Cons of Buying Pre-Constructed Homes Florida
- Cost of House Plans Florida
- Condominium or house: Which is right for you? Florida

Related Local Events

PCB Orlando 2008
Dates: 12/2/2009 - 12/4/2009
Location: Orlando Metropolitan Resort
Orlando, FL
View Details

IDEA - International Engineered Fabrics Conference & Expo
Dates: 4/27/2010 - 4/29/2010
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami Beach, FL
View Details

Coverings 2010
Dates: 4/27/2010 - 4/30/2010
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL
View Details

NASCC: The Steel Conference - North American Steel Construction Conference 2010
Dates: 5/12/2010 - 5/15/2010
Location: Gaylord Palms Convention Center
Kissimmee, FL
View Details

SEBC - Southeast Building Conference
Dates: 7/22/2010 - 7/24/2010
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL
View Details

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History