Residential House Plans
Custom 3D Construction Plans
Full Home / Additions / Remodels
Introduction
I'm John Hart, a home designer with over 35 years of experience. I'm located in Charlotte, TN and typically interact with clients through emails, voice calls, and virtual meetings. The virtual meetings allow for collaborative discussions while viewing a full 3D model of the project. Some changes can be accomplished during meetings, while others may require additional time and meetings for review. Alternatively, 3D walkthroughs can be recorded as a video and posted to YouTube, where clients can review them at their leisure. When final plans are completed, I provide printable PDF files that the clients can use to obtain physical prints at their discretion and cost.
Your Contractor
To ensure a successful project, hire a licensed and insured contractor early in the design phase. The contractor should be familiar with the local market and available materials, subcontractors, and site costs and restrictions.
Before Starting
In order to efficiently produce a custom plan you should be able to provide this information.
An single exterior photograph or home that represents the style you desire. The size and plan layout is not relevant.
A Primary Bedroom/Bathroom layout that has what you want. (closets, windows, shower size, counter space, privacy)
A Kitchen-Living layout that accommodates your needs, even if the size is not exact.
A written list of goals. All the wants, needs, and constraints. (total size, parking, room list, special features, HOA requirements)
The Site. Typically the recorded plat with easements, setbacks and the legal description (length/direction) of all sides of the property. Additionally a topographical survey for sloped building sites.
Suggestion
Find an existing plan that has all the rooms you want, and use the room sizes to set expectations for your new home. You can exchange space among the rooms to make some bigger, but you might discover that the only way to get the room sizes you want is to eliminate an entire room.
Fee / Costs
After reviewing your project an estimate is emailed. This is typically based on square footage on new homes and hourly for additions and remodels. Each estimate includes a fixed amount of meetings, study sets and hourly changes. Exceeding any of which may incur additional charges.
Typically, the cost of plans for a new home is estimated at $2 per heated square foot. However, this is only a rough estimate. The cost will vary based on size, complexity and unconditioned spaces such as porches and garages.
Payments
one-third as a retainer to start work
one-third to initiate change from study plans to construction drawings and stops changes
one-third upon completion of the plan and to receive the final printable pdf
Only the final PDF plan is printable for use.
No physical prints are include in the design fee.
Repeat customers (builders) are eligible for a discount.
About the Plans
The final plans are intended for use in Tennessee by licensed residential contractors or homeowners with a full understanding of the construction process and all building codes. All codes will not be called out on the plan. Code requirements such as sized fire egress windows/doors for all bedrooms, stair riser/run/rails, and headroom clearances are drawn into the plan, but details are not included in the basic set. If there is any discrepancy with any code, the code always supersedes anything shown on the plan. The goal of the plan is to provide what is needed to pull permits but does not include any engineering. Some locations require an engineered foundation, framing, or site plan, which is not included in our design work. We can not do material takeoffs, construction bids, or HOA submissions.
The "Basic Set" of plans is a 1/4" scaled PDF set that include these items.
Framing layout plans (floor plan)
Foundation
Exterior Elevations
Roof Framing Layout Plan
Sections
Window Schedule
Door Schedule
Cabinet Elevations
Site Plan
3d Perspectives
The final plans are provided in digital PDF format only.
Builders or Owners can obtain physical copies/prints from any print shop at additional costs based on their needs.
The production CAD files remain the property of the draftsman and are not sold or included as part of the plans.
"Basic Plan" sets do not include take-offs, finishes, trim details, electrical layout, heating/cooling design, plumbing layout, or site grading.
The plans provided do not include structural or mechanical engineering. These services must be obtained separately by the homeowner and may include additional costs beyond the plan design.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Plan Production
Typical timeline
First Meeting / Emailed Proposal (payment to proceed)
1st Review Set (2 weeks)
2nd Review Set (1 week)
Final Design Review and Approval (payment to proceed)
Final Construction Plans Drawn (2 weeks)
Full Construction Set (payment to receive)
Office - By Appointment Only
7105 Bakers Bridge Ave
Suite 100
Brentwood, TN 37027
Contact Information
If you have any questions please contact me. This site is not intended to be any kind of agreement or contract. More FAQ and images in next update. Thanks for checking the site out. - John