Recently, there was an online discussion about whether it’s a good idea to buy the so-called ready house plans from street vendors and online sellers. Surprisingly, many people view these plans as lifesavers — easy to obtain, affordable, and offering a variety of options to choose from.
But should a potential developer seriously consider using ready house plans? The truth is, most building professionals are skeptical about them. In fact, they tend to view the entire concept — and the vendors who sell these plans — with disdain. But why is that?
Aside from the obvious concern that developers might be bypassing professionals who rely on their work, there are other significant reasons why these plans can be problematic.
For one, no self-respecting architect would use drawings they didn’t develop themselves. (To be honest, there have been reports in the past of a few architects in this country who stamped plans from unknown sources for regulatory approval, but these incidents seem to have subsided after strict action was taken against the culprits.) When an architect or engineer approves and submits plans for construction, they take full responsibility for the design, including any issues that arise during or after construction. Using plans that probably weren’t developed by a licensed professional is risky and could potentially damage one’s reputation.
As a potential homeowner considering ready plans, it’s important to understand that these designs are not tailored to your specific site. They are generic and likely don’t account for critical factors beyond aesthetics and standard inputs. Key elements such as building orientation, local building codes, soil structure, and access to utilities are often overlooked, as the developers of these plans didn’t have a particular site in mind when creating them.
It’s also true that many potential homeowners don’t fully understand what they want from a house. This is precisely why it’s so important to consult an architect. An architect will engage with the homeowner to identify their needs and interpret these requirements while considering all relevant factors before developing a design. In fact, most professional architects and engineers will not even begin drafting plans until they have visited the proposed site.
That said, it’s not accurate to say that ready plans are completely useless. In fact, they can serve as a useful reference for many architects when trying to understand the type of home a client envisions. A skilled architect can take these designs, customize them to suit the specific site and client needs, and move forward with the project. Of course, this approach may dilute the architect’s originality, but the client’s vision plays a significant role in the process. If a client insists on a specific design, the architect must respect their preferences — while still ensuring that the final plans meet all technical and regulatory requirements.
