How it works
From plan to permit, step by step.
Buying house plans is the easy part. Here's the whole path, including the parts that usually go unsaid.
The path
Five steps, start to finish.
Step two is the easiest to skip and the most worth doing. A short call to your building department before you buy can save weeks later.
Choose a starting point
Start with the Birchwood 2110, or tell us about the ADU or barndominium you have in mind. Not sure yet? Ask us.
Check with your building department
Ask the questions below before you spend money. Rules differ from one city and county to the next.
Request pricing
Tell us where you're building. We email the price, what's included and the license terms. No payment is taken on this site.
Customize, if you want
Changes are quoted in writing before any drafting starts. See customization.
Build with your local team
Your builder prices it, your truss supplier engineers the roof, an engineer stamps anything that needs it, and your building official reviews the plans and issues the permit.
Roles
Who does what.
A house plan is one piece of a permit package. This is who usually handles the rest.
| Who | What they handle |
|---|---|
| Next Gen Housing | The house plan set, and any modifications you request. |
| You | Your lot, your survey, and your decisions on changes. |
| Your builder | Pricing, scheduling and construction, and often the site plan. |
| Truss supplier | Engineered truss drawings for your roof and your site's snow load. |
| Licensed engineer, when required | Stamped design for items your building official calls for, such as heavily loaded beams, long spans, retaining walls or poor soils. |
| Building official | Plan review, the permit, local amendments and inspections. |
| Zoning office | Setbacks, height limits, and whether an ADU is allowed on your lot. |
Before you buy
Questions to ask your building department
- Which code edition applies here, and are there local amendments?
- What do you need in a residential plan submittal?
- Will any part of this home need an engineer's stamp?
- What frost depth and snow load apply to my lot?
- For an ADU: are they allowed on my lot, and what are the size and setback limits?
- For a barndominium: how do you review post-frame or steel buildings used as homes?
Ready when you are
Start with a plan, or a question.
See the Birchwood 2110, ask for pricing, or send us a question about your site. We'll give you a straight answer.