Home Plans

Your dream begins with the right custom home design
Do you want to
Design your own home?

You have many choices when it comes to the house design you want for your dream home. You should prepare well before deciding which way to go. Here are some likely sources for home plans and getting house design tips:

  • Using a licensed architect or residential designer
  • Home Plan companies where you can purchase home design and floor plans that can be modified to your taste
  • Home plans that are provided by housing companies or kit home companies
  • Designs that are created by a local building contractor
  • Your own creation

As an ABS Owner-Builder, there is virtually no end to the number of floor plans, home styles, sizes and material choices for your home. In fact you, as an ABS Owner-Builder, can design your own home plan with with the help of licensed designers. Sometimes the decision process is arduous as choices abound.

Get the Home You Want

 ABS has included some helpful home plan web sites for you to study. Spend some time researching the house plan sites for the home plan that is closest to what you are looking for.

Allied Building Solutions respects all proprietary home plan designs, and you may wish to purchase a home plan through one of these sites. Many of our clients choose a plan that is close and then have it modified to suit their specific dreams. Let us know what you want and we'll help you make the process as easy as possible.

Note: Prior to purchasing sets of plans that claim to be ready for building permits, please check with your local building authorities. This may save you from duplicating your costs as there are many considerations with plans that originate outside your local building area.

Home Design Web Sites

Allied Building Solutions honors copyrights to all home plan designs. They must carry proper usage agreements. Before purchasing, be certain to ask them about your right to modify their plans. This is very often acceptable.

Cost Factors and Complexity of Design

The cost to construct a home is largely dependent on its size and complexity. Beyond that, you will want to determine what the labor costs will be. Will you be providing labor yourself? Do you have friends and family that are experienced in building? These can help lower your labor costs.

These and many more factors should be considered when working up a budget. Whether your home can be built for $80 per square foot or $180 or more per square foot is, of course, very important to learn during your design phase. Pay attention to:

  • The complexity of the floor plan
  • The type and size of foundation
  • The pitch and complexity of the roof sytem
  • Special engineering that your local codes may require
  • The type of building materials such as wood vs. steel studs, concrete form walls, panelized construction, and more
  • The quality of finishing materials such as floor coverings, cabinetry, countertops, bath fixtures, etc.
  • Light fixtures, wiring, insulation, roofing
  • The cost of labor in your market
  • The cost of financing and the length of time it's needed

Work closely with your home desinger. Determine what energy efficiencies you want to build in and always ask about the costs of all your choices. Remember, spending a little more for energy efficient home design can save you money in the long run by lowering your utiliy bills.

New Home Construction Tips

You may find it an advantage to sign up for our New Home Construction Tips by entering your primary email address in the box provided on this page. Also, don't forget to send us your question. You may just find your answer on an upcoming blog entry on the ABS home page.



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