FAQs
Find here solutions to the riddles of the design process. If you don’t find the answer to your question, we’re more than happy to meet with you in person to answer any remaining questions you may have.
What are your hours?
Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
In-person appointments with our designers are available Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Contact us or book directly through our Facebook page.
Where do I begin?
Many begin by visiting our showroom and browsing our thousands of house plans. Designs are divided into style and square footage categories for a more efficient process.
Is there a way to view the plans at home?
Yes! Simplified versions of our stock house plans are available online here. To view the full details of our house plans, stop by our showroom.
After spending 1 or 2 hours in our showroom browsing through hundreds of home plans, you may want to study your options, review them with family, friends or even your builder before making your final choice.
Study Sets provide the solution. Take home a miniature version of your favorite plans. Study sets are printed on 8 1/2″ x 14″ (legal) size paper and contain the front elevation and the first and second floor plans. The floor plans include overall dimensions as well as room dimensions.
Each study set is also accompanied by a furniture template and a furniture layout guide to help you visualize how everything will fit into your new home!
A study set is only $10 and includes a $10 dollar coupon good towards any purchase of $200 or more at Home Designing Service, Ltd.
Now that I’ve looked through your plans and have picked one that I like, how do I proceed?
Our stock plans may be purchased as is or you can make changes to them. Orders can be made in person or over the phone.
NOTE: Due to constantly changing building codes, some plans may require a code update. There is usually no additional charge for this but please allow a few weeks for the plan to be updated. Our designers can provide you with a better turnaround time estimate based on the season and work load.
Can I make some changes to the plan I’ve chosen?
Yes! Make an appointment with one of our designers to review your changes. Allow about an hour for this appointment in order to discuss all of your options. We will then make the desired preliminary changes to the plan. You may either request further changes or give approval for the completion of the plan. Once you have approved the plan, it will be finished with the appropriate building details.
How long does it take to make changes?
This could take 6 to 8 weeks depending on how decisive you are and which time of year you’re hiring us. Please contact us for more information. **Due to the high demand of the growing housing industry at this time, changes to our existing plans will take a minimum of 8 weeks.**
How long does it take to design a custom drawn home plan?
This depends greatly on how decisive you are. Some of our clients have received their custom drawn home plan in as little as 7 weeks. Other projects have extended several months. This time frame will also vary depending on the time of the year. Contact us for more information. **Due to the high demand of the growing housing industry at this time, custom house plans will take a minimum of 13 weeks.**
Do you offer anything to help us visualize the home design?
We offer interior elevations (2D) as well as exterior photo-realistic renderings (3D) each for an additional charge.
Can you help us with a special needs design?
Making changes to your home so you or your loved one can continue to live in it is a growing trend. Many children with aging parents are turning to design specialists such as us to assist them in modifying their parent’s existing home so that they can continue to age in comfort. Even those with severe disabilities are realizing the prospect of remaining in the home they love simply by modifying it. Design modification can range from simple DIY projects to extensive renovations.
To help you get started, here are a few remodeling ideas that can have an immediate impact for aging parents and those with disabilities.
- Install grab bars for toilets and bath tubs in the bathroom.
- Fasten down rugs or floor runners to help prevent tripping and falling.
- Install lever door handles instead of knobs
- Install more and brighter lighting
- Apply non-slip tape to indoor and outdoor steps that are not carpeted
handicap accessible
Some more complex modifications may include:
- Install a walk-in bath tub or a tub seat
- Install a handicap accessible vanity
- Increase the width of doorways and hallways
- Install an elevator or chair lift
- Install new kitchen appliances that provide easier access
- Install kitchen cabinet wall lifts
- Install a closet system that features pull down rods
- Install exterior handicap accessible ramps
Our design professionals can help you make sure that these modifications are implemented properly thus giving you peace of mind that your loved ones are living in the safest possible environment. We can help you determine your needs through an in-home assessment.
I found a plan online from another company. Can you make changes to it?
Unfortunately, we cannot. The plans we’ve received in the past from online house plan sites have contained little more than a basic floor plan layout and elevations, despite being sold as a complete set of plans. Often, the sizes marked on the floor plans are incorrect, making the plan impossible to build. Since the plans are sold nationally, they often don’t meet CT building codes, don’t include structure calculations, and aren’t designed for the styles and practicalities of building in New England’s varied weather conditions. We highly recommend that you search through our library of over 2000 house plans to see if you can find something you like that we can customize to fit your needs.
How much do your plans cost?
In general, you will need at least six sets of your plan. Our plans range from about $995 to $1595 for six sets without any changes. Learn more about what’s included.
What is the charge for making changes?
Schedule a free appointment with one of our designers to discuss the changes you’d like to make. At the end of the appointment, you will be provided with an estimate of the cost for making changes. The estimate for making changes will include printing, cost of labor, and other charges. Labor costs can range from a couple hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on the complexity and quantity of changes you request.
What is the charge for a custom drawn home plan?
The initial appointment with our designer is free of charge. At the end of the appointment you’ll be provided with an estimate of the cost for your design. This will range from about $3.50 to $4.50 per square foot of living area. This range depends greatly on the complexity of the house (angled walls, specialty items, etc.) A deposit of 30% of the estimated design cost is typically all that is needed to get started on the design of your renovation or addition.
What is the charge for an addition or renovation plan?
The initial site consultation with our designer is free of charge. At the end of the appointment you’ll be provided with an estimate of the cost for your design. This will range from about $3.00 to $4.00 per square foot of living area. This range depends greatly on the complexity of the house (angled walls, specialty items, etc.) A deposit of 35% of the estimated design cost is typically all that is needed to get started on the design of your renovation or addition.
Do I need an architect’s seal on my plans?
No. The State of Connecticut does not require an architect for one or two family home plans. In fact, the vast majority of home plans being used for building today are not designed by architects. To compare the services of an interior designer, a home designer (us), and an architect click here.
Do your plans include everything I need to get a building permit?
Ninety percent of the time they do. However, your local building official may require additional information. Most homes in Connecticut will require additional information specific to your site so that the house can be properly built to resist lateral wind loads. Some building officials require special Model Energy Code compliance reports. Others may require additional details regarding roof or floor framing, etc.. In order to maintain the very best prices, these special items are produced only on an as-needed basis. If you need any of these special items, we can produce them for you at a reasonable cost. Contact us for more information and pricing.
Where can I build your plan?
In most areas of the country, our house plans will have everything you need to build, but not necessarily everything you need to obtain a building permit. Learn more.
Can I make my own copies of the plan I purchased?
No. What you’re purchasing is a license to use our design for the purpose of building one home. It’s important to us that any structure built from our plans is safe for those who will reside in it. And structural integrity can change greatly from one location to another due to ground stability, high wind zones, and other factors.
The blueprints licensed to you cannot be used by or resold to any other individual. Reproduction of these home plans, either in whole or in part, including any form of copying and/or preparation of derivative works thereof, for any reason without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited.
How serious is copyright infringement?
Imagine losing your business or your home because of severe financial losses. It’s a scary picture – and a real possibility if you get involved with copyright infringement. Learn more.