Note: The example prices in the chart below are based on an average 2500 square foot Colonial style home. All prices listed are average and may vary. Contact a professional for more details.
Compare totals at the bottom of the chart.
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FEATURES
Exterior elevations
Floor plans
2x6 wall construction
Foundation plan
Beam calculations
Electrical plan
Window & door schedule
Plumbing plan
Floor, ceiling, roof framing plan
Mechanical plan
Site plan
Interior elevations
Space planning
Color & finish design
Selection & specification of furnishings
Materials list
Presence on site during construction/decorating
INTERIOR DECORATOR
Typically minor non-load bearing renovations only
X
Where applicable
X
X
X
X
Electrical fixtures located on plans
X
X
X
X
X
3D interior renderings
X
X
$3,681 TOTAL¹
HOME DESIGNING SERVICE LTD STOCK PLANS
$1,195
AVERAGE BASE FEE
6 sets
Plumbing fixtures located on plans
Included where necessary, additional fee where not
X
X
+ average $150 per view
X
X
Provided by contractor or can be acquired by lumber yard
If necessary
$1,195 TOTAL
NATIONAL ONLINE HOUSE PLANS
$1614
AVERAGE BASE FEE
5 sets
+$295
+$356 for full basement
+$176
Hire local professional +$595
Plumbing fixtures located on plans
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hire local professional +$868
Hire local professional +$150
+$248
X
$4,054 TOTAL³
HOME DESIGNING SERVICE LTD CUSTOM PLANS
6 sets
Plumbing fixtures located on plans
Included where necessary
X
X
+ average $150 per view
X
X
Provided by contractor
If necessary
$9,375
TOTAL
ARCHITECT
$37,500⁶
AVERAGE TOTAL FEE
12 sets
Check with your architect
X
X
Check with your architect
$37,500 TOTAL
⁰Average minimum coverage for up to 2 hours.
¹Based on 2018 estimates for Windsor, CT from HomeAdvisor.com and ImproveNet.com. If you are a CT interior designer, we welcome your comments and input. Please contact us.
³Based on an average of several sample 2500 SF Colonial house plans found on various national house plan websites.
⁵Based on the midpoint of our average custom home price range of $3.25 – $4.25 per square foot. 2500 square feet Colonial x $3.00 = $9,375. Since custom pricing is all-inclusive, there isn’t a “base fee” per se. So this price is listed as a total of the entire design project.
⁶Architects’ design fees range from 5%-15% of construction cost. 2500 square foot Colonial average cost to build in CT (2022) = $750,000. 5% design fee = $37,500.
The Plans
Prices listed include 6 sets of house plans, each set contains:
- Exterior elevations
- Floor plans
- Foundation plan
- Building cross sections
- Construction details
- Beam calculations for CT building codes
- Window schedule
- Braced wall panels & High Wind Zone calculation report (Required for every building/location in CT.)
- Framing Specifications
- Model Energy Code Report (where required)
Garage Size
Width
The average American car is 6′ wide. Add another 2′-3′ per vehicle bay on each side to open doors comfortably. Add another 1′-2′ feet for small yard items. A minimum of 10′ per vehicle bay will work, but it will be difficult to open car doors without hitting the wall or a post. We recommend a bare minimum of 11′ wide per vehicle bay.
Length
The average length of an American car/SUV is 16′. If you’d like a workbench, cabinets, or shelving, add another 2′-3′. Motorcycles, bicycles, or yard equipment might need another 2′-3′. We recommend a bare minimum garage depth of 22′.
Our Standard Garage Size
The standard garage size on our plans is 12′ wide per vehicle bay by 24′ deep unless requested otherwise. Often, a third smaller bay can be used for large yard equipment and extra storage.
National House Plans
Many house plans from national house plan websites include garages that are much too small to fit modern day vehicles and the current American lifestyle. Contact the house plan company to find out what it will cost to increase the garage size before you make your purchase.
If you’ve already purchased a plan and realized you need changes made to it, a third party designer (like us) is very limited in what they can do for you. Without the license and correct file to make professional changes, the house plan cannot be altered.
High Wind Zone Calculation Report
Why be concerned about high wind?
Building a new home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. If you are building your home in an area that is prone to damaging winds from hurricanes or other storms, your investment can be at risk! But, you can protect your investment! Building your home to meet code requirements can have a significant impact on whether your home withstands the next big storm.
How wind affects your home
The high winds generated from thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornados create forces that attack the integrity of a home in multiple ways:
Uplift: When wind flows over the roof of the structure, creating a strong lifting forces on the roof which can cause it to break away.- Racking: When wind blows against the side of the structure exerting a lateral force that causes it to lean over (rack) to one side.
- Sliding: When wind blows against the side of the structure exerting a lateral force, causing it to slide off of its foundation.
- Overturning: When the structure is anchored in place to limit racking or sliding, the lateral force of the wind causes the structure to rotate or overturn.
Uplift: When wind flows over the roof of the structure, creating a strong lifting forces on the roof which can cause it to break away.
Racking: When wind blows against the side of the structure exerting a lateral force that causes it to lean over (rack) to one side.
Sliding: When wind blows against the side of the structure exerting a lateral force, causing it to slide off of its foundation.
Overturning: When the structure is anchored in place to limit racking or sliding, the lateral force of the wind causes the structure to rotate or overturn.Without proper design and construction, these forces can produce structural damage and/or failure, potentially causing serious injury or death. Modern design and construction practices, such as structural connectors used in continuous load path transfer system, can effectively resist these forces by reinforcing the home from the roof to the foundation.
Who needs a report?
This is dependent on the specific location of your building site. If you are building in a location that is designated as a high wind zone you may need anchor straps, shear walls and other special construction to resist lateral wind forces. The design of these special items can often be done by Home Designing Service, Ltd. but in extreme cases may require the services of a Licensed Professional Engineer. If your local building official requires these special design features we will be glad to provide you with a quote for our services, or refer you to a Licensed Professional Engineer.
Model Energy Code Report
What is the model energy code?
The Model Energy Code (MEC) is published and maintained by the International Energy Code Council (IECC). The code contains energy efficiency criteria for new residential and commercial buildings and additions to existing buildings. It covers the buildings ceilings, walls, and floors/foundations and the mechanical, lighting, and power systems.
The MEC applies to all new residential and commercial buildings and additions to such buildings. Residential buildings are definded as detached one and two family dwelling units. Multifamily buildings three stories or less in height above grade and multifamily buildings such as apartments, townhouses, and row houses that have three or more attached dwelling units must also comply with the MEC.
Additions to residential buildings must be heated and/or cooled for the MEC to apply. Additions that are not heated and/or cooled, such as an unconditioned garage, need not comply.
Who needs a Model Energy Code report?
It is extremely rare that a residential design would miss the minimum code standard, so Home Designing Service, Ltd. will not typically calculate for Model Energy Code compliance. However, more and more local building officials are requesting this report. In such cases we can provide you with a MEC report for a nominal fee.
How do I benefit from the Model Energy Code?
You can build the home of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. Homes built according to the MEC use substantianlly less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating. Over the years this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial.
Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in homes nationwide. Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.