Webster Architects

Why have webster architects customize your plan?
What do I receive when I order a set of plans?
How often do you release new plans?
What is the difference between a 1 story, 1.5 story, reverse 1.5 story, 2 story, and a multi-level home?
How is the total living square footage determined?
Looking at a floor plan, how can I get a feel for how large a room will be?
What are building codes?
Do Webster Architects plans meet my local codes?
Do you make modifications to your plans to meet local codes?
Do you make modifications to your plans to meet personal preferences?
Do you know if this house has been built in my area?
Can I take a design from a plan book to a local draftsman and have him re-draft the entire plan?
How many sets of prints will I need to build my home?
Who will need to see the blueprints?
What is the exterior wall construction?
What if the plan does not come with the foundation I need?
Why aren't HVAC, plumbing and electrical details included?
Is anyone who designs a home an architect?
Should I hire an architect to design my home or buy from a plan service?
Can I purchase one set of plans and have them copied?
Can I return the plans?
Once I have purchased a house plan, how many times may I build it?
Should I purchase the plan or should I let my builder purchase the plan?
What does it cost to order a stock plan from Webster Architects?
What forms of payment does Webster Architects accept?
Can I order by phone instead of over the Internet?
When will my credit card account be charged?
How do I find a builder?
Should I buy a lot first?
Should I use a real estate agent when building a new home?
Should I be concerned with covenants?

Why have Webster Architects customize your plan?

Because your home plan is a Webster Architects original, we have the drawings from which the plan originated. This eliminates the need to redraw the entire plan, saving you time and money. More importantly, when Webster Architects customizes your plans, you can be assured the integrity of the original design is upheld and the quality of the drawings meets the standards we have established for all of our homes.

What do I receive when I order a set of plans?

You receive a complete set of plans. Generally each set of plans includes the following:

Elevations: The elevations are drafted at 1/4" scale for the front and 1/8" scale for the rear and sides. All elevations are fully detailed showing materials used on each side of the house. The front elevation is rendered.
Foundation: Drafted at 1/4" scale, basements are standard. Also shown are the steel beam and pole locations and the direction, size, and spacing of the floor system.
Floor Plans: At 1/4" scale, all levels are fully dimensioned from stud to stud and are designed with standard 2 x 4 walls. Structural information is included on the floor plans. Though we note door and generic window sizes, we do not specify manufacturer's products, allowing for individual preferences and local product availability.
Roof Plan: An aerial view of the roof plan is provided showing all hips, valleys and ridges, for a more thorough understanding.
Interior Elevations: Various interior elevations of major focal areas.
Sections: Typical wall or building cross sections are provided for some plans.

How often do you release new plans?

We are continuously generating new plans and as these new plans are created, we post them to this website.

What is the difference between a 1 story, 1.5 story, reverse 1.5 story, 2 story, and a multi-level home?

One-story homes (also called ranch and garden-level homes) are generally defined as homes with all living areas and bedrooms on one level (excluding basement). Our definition of 1.5 story home is one with the master suite on the main level and all other bedrooms on the second level. A reverse 1.5 story has the master suite on the main level and all other bedrooms in the basement. Two-story homes have the master suite and most of the other bedrooms located on the second level. Multi-level (or split level) homes have portions of the house on different levels. Generally they are staggered so that each level is about a 1/2 story above or below the adjacent one.

How is the total living square footage determined?

All square footage is calculated from outside face of stud to outside face of stud. Total living square footage includes only the heated area of the house and does not include the garage, front, side or back porches, courtyards, patios, etc. Basements are also not included in the square footage unless finished. Bonus rooms over the garage are also typically not included in the square footage, although that square footage is calculated and listed as optional.

Looking at a floor plan, how can I get a feel for how large a room will be?

One way is to measure the rooms in your own home or apartment to understand approximate dimensions.

What are building codes?

Building codes are safety regulations pertaining to how a building (commercial or residential) should be built. They are intended to protect both builders and consumers from building an unsafe structure. They deal with everything from nail spacing to handicap accessibility. Many restrictions, regulations and inspections are regionally required due to soil conditions, weather conditions, etc. There are three major nationally-recognized model building codes that are all very similar in content in the United States: UBC (Uniform Building Code); BOCA (Building Officials & Code Administrators); SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International); and CABO (Council of American Building Officials). Every state, county, and local municipality has adopted some form of one, any, or all of these standard building codes.

Do Webster Architects plans meet my local codes?

Our plans are drafted to meet average conditions and codes in the state of Kansas at the time they were designed. Because codes and requirements can change, and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, Webster Architects Inc. cannot warrant compliance with any specific code or regulation. All Webster Architects plans can be adapted to the local building codes and requirements. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or builder of each plan to see that the structure is built in strict compliance with the governing municipal codes (city, county, state and federal).

Do you make modifications to your plans to meet local codes?

Yes, we can make changes to meet your local building codes. At the time of creation, our plans are designed to conform to the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, which is compiled from BOCA, SBCCI and UBC Building Codes. National and local building codes vary with location and change from time to time. Consequently, it may be necessary for you to meet with a local builder, architect or other construction professional to review your local building codes and notify us of any changes to the plans that these codes require.

Do you make modifications to your plans to meet personal preferences?

Yes, we can customize our plans to meet your personal preferences. Our architectural staff members are available to answer questions about our plans and the feasibility of these changes. Please consult the Design Modification services page for additional information and fees.

Do you know if this house has been built in my area?

In most cases we do not know where a particular design is built. If we do happen to know the location, we cannot release names and addresses. Most homes are owned by private individuals and as such we must protect their privacy.

Can I take a design from a plan book to a local draftsman and have him re-draft the entire plan?

No. It is a violation of federal copyright law to draft a plan based on the design ideas of a published plan. The copyright protection covers the design of the home as well as the plan itself. Either the builder or the consumer must purchase the design from the architect if they wish to legally build that plan.

How many sets of prints will I need to build my home?

We recommend a minimum of eight sets.

Who will need to see the blueprints?

The following will help you to determine how many you need:

Owner - One set.
Mortgage Lender - Usually one set for a conventional loan; three sets for FHA or VA loans.
Local Building Department - Often requires two sets.
Builder - Generally requires at least four; one as a legal document, and at least three to give to subcontractors.
Developer - Some subdivision developers require 1 set for their records.

What is the exterior wall construction?

Most of our plans show 2 x 4s on 16" centers. We can alter the plans to 2 x 6s, concrete block, structural insulated panels, or insulated concrete forms. The fee would vary per house.

What if the plan does not come with the foundation I need?

Most of our plans come with concrete basements. If the plan you have selected was not designed for your preferred foundation, we can modify your plan's foundation structure. The fee would vary per house.

Why aren't HVAC, plumbing and electrical details included?

Because local HVAC codes, climatic requirements, and commonly used systems vary dramatically throughout the country, we do not include these details on our plans. Likewise, we do not know which direction the water line will enter your house or where the electrical feed will enter. Your local HVAC contractor, plumber, and electrician can determine the best layout for your new home.

Is anyone who designs a home an architect?

No. An architect is a licensed professional in the field of architecture. It is not a requirement in the United States that everyone who designs a home be an architect. However, many states require as a part of their local building codes, that before a home can be built, the blueprint must be stamped by an architect or engineer licensed in that state. There are many excellent home plan designers who are not architects. All home plans, whether designed by an architect or not, must conform to local building codes before they are built.

Should I hire an architect to design my home or buy from a plan service?

We offer both services. See our Custom Design Home services section to learn about designing homes "from scratch" to fit your specific needs. We also have hundreds of stock plans. You may order one of our plan books to see a comprehensive display of our plans or use the plan search on this web site to see our most popular plans.

Can I purchase one set of plans and have them copied?

All our designs are protected under copyright law and cannot be copied. It is more cost-effective to purchase multiple sets at the time of your original order. However, if you need additional sets, they can be purchased within ninety days of your original order.

Can I return the plans?

No, we do not allow refunds or exchanges. Please double-check your selection before ordering. Feel free to call our office to discuss any concerns you may have before ordering.

Once I have purchased a house plan, how many times may I build it?

As the registered purchaser of a plan, you are licensed to build only one structure (including derivatives) from the plans, regardless of the number of plan sets you have purchased. If you intend to build a plan more than once, call us at 1-888-432-2175 for more information. NOTE: Plans are registered to the purchaser only. Reselling or transferring plans is prohibited by federal copyright law.

Should I purchase the plan or should I let my builder purchase the plan?

No matter who buys the plan, the home buyer will, in the end, probably pay for it. If a builder buys the plan, chances are he will include it in the price of your new home.

What does it cost to order a stock plan from Webster Architects?

Plans range in price from $895 to $1495.

What forms of payment does Webster Architects accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Money orders. All sales are final and the full amount is due when the order is placed. Orders may not be returned or exchanged.

Can I order by phone instead of over the Internet?

Yes, just call 1-888-432-2175 and we will be happy to assist you.

When will my credit card account be charged?

Your credit card will be charged when your order is shipped.

How do I find a builder?

Contact your local Home Builders Association and ask them for recommendations. Tell them your price range and what area of town you are interested in. Ask friends and relatives in the area for their suggestions. Also, visit local model homes.

Should I buy a lot first?

It's usually best to buy or reserve a lot first. That way, you can make sure that the plan you purchase or the custom home you design will fit in the proper location on that lot.

Should I use a real estate agent when building a new home?

Many agents are very knowledgeable about the process of building a new home. Not only can they help you find a lot, but can assist you in finding a local builder. Look for an agent that specializes in new construction in your area.

Should I be concerned with covenants?

Covenants are rules and regulations set up by committees for certain subdivisions or areas of land development. These regulations are intended to protect property values of the homeowners in that area. Examples of covenants might include regulations on how close homes can be to one another, exterior building materials, side entry garages, minimum square footage of a residence, etc. We can generally modify our drawings to meet these covenants.


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Plan Search About Plans Modification Services FAQ Plan Copyright Notice Portfolio Home	View Cart Why have webster architects customize your plan? What do I receive when I order a set of plans? How often do you release new plans? What is the difference between a 1 story, 1.5 story, reverse 1.5 story, 2 story, and a multi-level home? How is the total living square footage determined? Looking at a floor plan, how can I get a feel for how large a room will be? What are building codes? Do Webster Architects plans meet my local codes? Do you make modifications to your plans to meet local codes? Do you make modifications to your plans to meet personal preferences? Do you know if this house has been built in my area? Can I take a design from a plan book to a local draftsman and have him re-draft the entire plan? How many sets of prints will I need to build my home? Who will need to see the blueprints? What is the exterior wall construction? What if the plan does not come with the foundation I need? Why aren't HVAC, plumbing and electrical details included? Is anyone who designs a home an architect? Should I hire an architect to design my home or buy from a plan service? Can I purchase one set of plans and have them copied? Can I return the plans? Once I have purchased a house plan, how many times may I build it? Should I purchase the plan or should I let my builder purchase the plan? What does it cost to order a stock plan from Webster Architects? What forms of payment does Webster Architects accept? Can I order by phone instead of over the Internet? When will my credit card account be charged? How do I find a builder? Should I buy a lot first? Should I use a real estate agent when building a new home? Should I be concerned with covenants? Why have Webster Architects customize your plan? Because your home plan is a Webster Architects original, we have the drawings from which the plan originated. This eliminates the need to redraw the entire plan, saving you time and money. More importantly, when Webster Architects customizes your plans, you can be assured the integrity of the original design is upheld and the quality of the drawings meets the standards we have established for all of our homes. What do I receive when I order a set of plans? You receive a complete set of plans. Generally each set of plans includes the following: Elevations: The elevations are drafted at 1/4" scale for the front and 1/8" scale for the rear and sides. All elevations are fully detailed showing materials used on each side of the house. The front elevation is rendered. Foundation: Drafted at 1/4" scale, basements are standard. Also shown are the steel beam and pole locations and the direction, size, and spacing of the floor system. Floor Plans: At 1/4" scale, all levels are fully dimensioned from stud to stud and are designed with standard 2 x 4 walls. Structural information is included on the floor plans. Though we note door and generic window sizes, we do not specify manufacturer's products, allowing for individual preferences and local product availability. Roof Plan: An aerial view of the roof plan is provided showing all hips, valleys and ridges, for a more thorough understanding. Interior Elevations: Various interior elevations of major focal areas. Sections: Typical wall or building cross sections are provided for some plans. How often do you release new plans? We are continuously generating new plans and as these new plans are created, we post them to this website. What is the difference between a 1 story, 1.5 story, reverse 1.5 story, 2 story, and a multi-level home? One-story homes (also called ranch and garden-level homes) are generally defined as homes with all living areas and bedrooms on one level (excluding basement). Our definition of 1.5 story home is one with the master suite on the main level and all other bedrooms on the second level. A reverse 1.5 story has the master suite on the main level and all other bedrooms in the basement. Two-story homes have the master suite and most of the other bedrooms located on the second level. Multi-level (or split level) homes have portions of the house on different levels. Generally they are staggered so that each level is about a 1/2 story above or below the adjacent one. How is the total living square footage determined? All square footage is calculated from outside face of stud to outside face of stud. Total living square footage includes only the heated area of the house and does not include the garage, front, side or back porches, courtyards, patios, etc. Basements are also not included in the square footage unless finished. Bonus rooms over the garage are also typically not included in the square footage, although that square footage is calculated and listed as optional. Looking at a floor plan, how can I get a feel for how large a room will be? One way is to measure the rooms in your own home or apartment to understand approximate dimensions. What are building codes? Building codes are safety regulations pertaining to how a building (commercial or residential) should be built. They are intended to protect both builders and consumers from building an unsafe structure. They deal with everything from nail spacing to handicap accessibility. Many restrictions, regulations and inspections are regionally required due to soil conditions, weather conditions, etc. There are three major nationally-recognized model building codes that are all very similar in content in the United States: UBC (Uniform Building Code); BOCA (Building Officials & Code Administrators); SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International); and CABO (Council of American Building Officials). Every state, county, and local municipality has adopted some form of one, any, or all of these standard building codes. Do Webster Architects plans meet my local codes? Our plans are drafted to meet average conditions and codes in the state of Kansas at the time they were designed. Because codes and requirements can change, and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, Webster Architects Inc. cannot warrant compliance with any specific code or regulation. All Webster Architects plans can be adapted to the local building codes and requirements. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or builder of each plan to see that the structure is built in strict compliance with the governing municipal codes (city, county, state and federal). Do you make modifications to your plans to meet local codes? Yes, we can make changes to meet your local building codes. At the time of creation, our plans are designed to conform to the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, which is compiled from BOCA, SBCCI and UBC Building Codes. National and local building codes vary with location and change from time to time. Consequently, it may be necessary for you to meet with a local builder, architect or other construction professional to review your local building codes and notify us of any changes to the plans that these codes require. Do you make modifications to your plans to meet personal preferences? Yes, we can customize our plans to meet your personal preferences. Our architectural staff members are available to answer questions about our plans and the feasibility of these changes. Please consult the Design Modification services page for additional information and fees. Do you know if this house has been built in my area? In most cases we do not know where a particular design is built. If we do happen to know the location, we cannot release names and addresses. Most homes are owned by private individuals and as such we must protect their privacy. Can I take a design from a plan book to a local draftsman and have him re-draft the entire plan? No. It is a violation of federal copyright law to draft a plan based on the design ideas of a published plan. The copyright protection covers the design of the home as well as the plan itself. Either the builder or the consumer must purchase the design from the architect if they wish to legally build that plan. How many sets of prints will I need to build my home? We recommend a minimum of eight sets. Who will need to see the blueprints? The following will help you to determine how many you need: Owner - One set. Mortgage Lender - Usually one set for a conventional loan; three sets for FHA or VA loans. Local Building Department - Often requires two sets. Builder - Generally requires at least four; one as a legal document, and at least three to give to subcontractors. Developer - Some subdivision developers require 1 set for their records. What is the exterior wall construction? Most of our plans show 2 x 4s on 16" centers. We can alter the plans to 2 x 6s, concrete block, structural insulated panels, or insulated concrete forms. The fee would vary per house. What if the plan does not come with the foundation I need? Most of our plans come with concrete basements. If the plan you have selected was not designed for your preferred foundation, we can modify your plan's foundation structure. The fee would vary per house. Why aren't HVAC, plumbing and electrical details included? Because local HVAC codes, climatic requirements, and commonly used systems vary dramatically throughout the country, we do not include these details on our plans. Likewise, we do not know which direction the water line will enter your house or where the electrical feed will enter. Your local HVAC contractor, plumber, and electrician can determine the best layout for your new home. Is anyone who designs a home an architect? No. An architect is a licensed professional in the field of architecture. It is not a requirement in the United States that everyone who designs a home be an architect. However, many states require as a part of their local building codes, that before a home can be built, the blueprint must be stamped by an architect or engineer licensed in that state. There are many excellent home plan designers who are not architects. All home plans, whether designed by an architect or not, must conform to local building codes before they are built. Should I hire an architect to design my home or buy from a plan service? We offer both services. See our Custom Design Home services section to learn about designing homes "from scratch" to fit your specific needs. We also have hundreds of stock plans. You may order one of our plan books to see a comprehensive display of our plans or use the plan search on this web site to see our most popular plans. Can I purchase one set of plans and have them copied? All our designs are protected under copyright law and cannot be copied. It is more cost-effective to purchase multiple sets at the time of your original order. However, if you need additional sets, they can be purchased within ninety days of your original order. Can I return the plans? No, we do not allow refunds or exchanges. Please double-check your selection before ordering. Feel free to call our office to discuss any concerns you may have before ordering. Once I have purchased a house plan, how many times may I build it? As the registered purchaser of a plan, you are licensed to build only one structure (including derivatives) from the plans, regardless of the number of plan sets you have purchased. If you intend to build a plan more than once, call us at 1-888-432-2175 for more information. NOTE: Plans are registered to the purchaser only. Reselling or transferring plans is prohibited by federal copyright law. Should I purchase the plan or should I let my builder purchase the plan? No matter who buys the plan, the home buyer will, in the end, probably pay for it. If a builder buys the plan, chances are he will include it in the price of your new home. What does it cost to order a stock plan from Webster Architects? Plans range in price from $895 to $1495. What forms of payment does Webster Architects accept? We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Money orders. All sales are final and the full amount is due when the order is placed. Orders may not be returned or exchanged. Can I order by phone instead of over the Internet? Yes, just call 1-888-432-2175 and we will be happy to assist you. When will my credit card account be charged? Your credit card will be charged when your order is shipped. How do I find a builder? Contact your local Home Builders Association and ask them for recommendations. Tell them your price range and what area of town you are interested in. Ask friends and relatives in the area for their suggestions. Also, visit local model homes. Should I buy a lot first? It's usually best to buy or reserve a lot first. That way, you can make sure that the plan you purchase or the custom home you design will fit in the proper location on that lot. Should I use a real estate agent when building a new home? Many agents are very knowledgeable about the process of building a new home. Not only can they help you find a lot, but can assist you in finding a local builder. Look for an agent that specializes in new construction in your area. Should I be concerned with covenants? Covenants are rules and regulations set up by committees for certain subdivisions or areas of land development. These regulations are intended to protect property values of the homeowners in that area. Examples of covenants might include regulations on how close homes can be to one another, exterior building materials, side entry garages, minimum square footage of a residence, etc. We can generally modify our drawings to meet these covenants.