Blue Prints are much more detailed drawings than simple Floor Plans. Blueprints are exact detailed scaled drawings of plans of a home, building, or structure which include many more details than a basic floor plan.
Your blue print plans and specifications are the documents used by your builder and contractors to instruct them on how to build your new home. Each set of blue prints should include floor plans; plans for the foundation and information on footings and framing; front, side and rear elevations; roof plan; electrical layout and kitchen cabinet layout; and construction details.

Each set of blue prints include detailed documentation which fully describe the quality and specifications of the materials needed to complete the building of your home. You can use your detailed blue prints to get precise estimates of the total cost to build your home.

Blueprints are used to provide the builder with a complete set of two-dimensional instructions on exactly how to construct the home. The most common sizes of blueprints for the construction of a new home are 11" x 17" or 22" x 34"

Before the advent of computers, blue prints were drawn by hand on vellum (a semi-transparent film which was specially processed and treated with ammonia), however, with the advances in computer software the process of designing a floor plan have greatly improved and floor plans have now become easier to create and duplicate. Now complete floor plans can be stored and printed just as easy as printing this document from your computer.

We offer a wide selection of comprehensive and detailed blueprints in a wide assortment of house styles, home plans and designs to fit any life style whether you are looking to remodel or build a new home.

How to read blueprints
 Scale:

Blue print floor plans are typically drawn to a 1/4" scale of the actual size of the home. This way the builder will be able to measure the drawing to verify a dimension. Scaling should not be used for construction. As a general accepted rule a 1/4" scale means that for every 1/4" on the plan will account for 1' of actual length. Some details, like framing layouts or built-in details may be drawn at a scale of 1/8".

 Elevations:

Blue Prints also generally include at least four elevation drawings of a home, the front, the rear and each side. The purposes of these drawings are to indicate what the home will look like upon completion. Elevation drawings also include ridge heights, exterior finishes, roof pitches and other design aspects to give a general idea of the finished home. These exterior specifications can also provide details about the home's exterior architectural styling.

 Foundation Plan:

Basement floor plans (if provided) show how foundation will be laid out in relationship to the home. These plans give further details about the location of footings, load bearing walls and other structural elements the home requires to support the walls and roof. These drawings are for reference only and must be designed by a licensed engineer.

 Electrical Layouts: (additional fee)

Electrical diagrams usually include legend or Key on the page which explains what each symbols represents. From this diagram the electrician can determine the location of electrical outlets, fans, fixtures, light fixtures etc. A full electrical design with power requirements, fixture sizing and fixture specifications can be provided by an Electrical Engineer. Fees will vary per project.

 Plumbing and mechanical systems:

Since stock house plan blueprints are sold throughout the 50 states, regional preferences and climatic variances dictate different mechanical systems and, as such, this information must be obtained locally. Typically only plumbing fixture locations are provided. This information is provided to show the contractor the location and general type of plumbing fixture.
You may want to have the heating subcontractor provide a duct and register layout for your review prior to construction. Your local utility company also may offer various services to you in sizing a system for your new home.

 Cross sections and details:

Are drawings of the completed home as if it were sliced in half. This part of a home plan provides the builder with an even better understanding of floor heights and construction materials and methods.

 Plot Plan:

Plot plans is a comprehensive drawing of the site location or lot on which a new home is to be built. Plot Plans are drawn to determine the placement of the home on the chosen building lot in reference to the property boundaries, topography and existing structures. Plot plans will typically include the location of set back requirements, easements, drive ways and walk ways. In some cases a topographical map may be included that will supply the architect or builder with critical data on the slope and terrain of the lot.

Since plot plans are prepared based on the exact size and dimensions of the house to be built and how it will fit into a selected lot location they are not normally included in the purchase of stock floor plans, however, Arch Design can produce a plot plan once accurate lot information is obtained

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