La Meilleure Vie House Plan

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Our Frequently Asked Questions page provides answers to the most common questions we receive.  If you do not see answers to your specific questions please phone or email us using the contact us page. Our team is ready to help you and your family make the most informed decision as your prepare to build the home of your dreams.

Do your plans meet building codes in my area?

Every city, local municipality and county throughout the United States has different requirements regarding the construction of a set of plans.  Prior to purchasing your set of house plans, we recommend meeting with your local building officials in order to determine the building requirements for your area.  Our plans are designed to meet most national building codes at the time they were originally drawn; however, many states and counties amend the codes for their local area.  It is therefore, the responsibility of the purchaser(s) and/or builder to ensure that the structure is constructed to meet the codes of their local area. 

Will the plans be stamped or signed by an architect or engineer?

Stock house plans do not come stamped or signed by an architect or engineer.  All house plans are architectural in nature, and must be reviewed by a local licensed engineer prior to construction.  Please check with your local building officials to determine if an architect's stamp is required.  After plan purchase from Archival Designs, the purchaser(s) and/or builder is responsible for additional expenses incurred through meeting municipality requirements or other requirements for construction.

How many times can I build this plan?

With the purchase of any plan package (excluding a study set), you are licensed to build only one structure from the construction plans.  If you plan on building a  home more than once, please contact our home plan specialists for more information at 770-831-6363.

Do I own the copyright to the plan I purchase?

No, the designer of the plan retains all copyrights regarding all plans sold.  The purchase of a set of house plans in no way transfers any copyright of other ownership interest to the buyer except for a limited license to use that set of home planss for the construction of one structure.

Can I see a sample set of construction plans?

How much will this home plan cost to build?

There are many factors involved with figuring the price of your home. It is difficult to determine the actual cost of your home without knowing exactly what materials you will use, what you will pay for labor, and where you will be building.  Please consult a local licensed builder for more information on cost to build.  Study set plan packages are often used to determine cost to build and may be a good choice for your project.

Can I modify a stock plan?

Absolutely!  To learn more see our modification process.

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

Local HVAC codes, climatic requirements and commonly used systems vary throughout the country.  The direction of how water flow will enter the home or where the electrical feed will enter will vary from case to case. For this reason, it is impossible to provide universal plans.  Your local HVAC contractor, plumber, and electrician will determine the best layout for your design. 

How is square footage calculated?

Square footage calculations include living (heated/cooled) spaces and are calculated from the outside perimeter of the exterior walls.  The square footages do not include garages, basements, decks, porches, bonus rooms, and other non-heated spaces. Two-story or vaulted areas, and staircases are only included once in the calculations.  Brick and stone is not included in the calculations.

How do I purchase a plan from Archival Designs?

Purchasing a plan is easy! Simply add the house plan you would like to the cart and proceed to checkout.  You can also give our home plan specialists a call at 770-831-6363 and place your order by phone.  Archival Designs accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

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

The actual number of sets you will need will vary depending on your specific needs.  You will need one for yourself, and multiple for the mortgage lender (appraiser), planning/zoning department (building permit), the subcontractors, and your builder.  When you purchase a reproducible plan package such as PDF or AutoCAD, you will have the freedom to print as many sets as you need.  If you choose the 5 bond set package, you will have the option to purchase additional sets for the price listed for your home.

What is the difference between bond sets, PDF, and AutoCAD?

The type of package you choose will be determined based on your specific needs:

• 5 Bond package: Five sets of working drawings are ideal for customers who do not plan on modifying the home and would like to receive physical paper sets in the mail.  This package may not be photocopied; if additional sets are necessary they must be ordered by phone at 770-831-6363.
• PDF package: One set of working drawings is emailed to you in .pdf format. This is the most popular option for customer who would like to make modifications (big or small) and print unlimited copies of their set. Most plans can be emailed the same day or within 1 business day and save you money on shipping costs.
• AutoCAD package: The AutoCAD file(s) are emailed to you in .dwg format. It can be used to make minor to major modifications by our designers or any other designer of your choice.  This option requires access to any software compatible with .dwg or .dxf files.  Your local designer will have access to this type of software (i.e. AutoCAD, Chief Architect pro, etc).

How quickly will I receive my house plan?

All orders are processed within 1 business day.  After purchase, you will receive a license via email for quick and easy e-signature.  Once this is returned, your order will me emailed or shipped out depending on the plan package you purchased. We make all efforts to delivery PDF or AutoCAD orders same business day! 

What is the return policy?

Please be certain that the plan you have selected suits your needs as all sales are final.

All house plans sold by Archival Designs have been designed to comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) and to the local codes in the area where the designer resides or where the house was built.

Every state, county or municipality will have its own building and code requirements. It is possible that your plan may need to be modified to comply with these local requirements. This is particularly true in coastal areas and those facing seismic events, extreme winds and heavy snow. If you are building in any of these areas, it is likely that a licensed structural engineer will be needed to provide the necessary calculations and additional drawings. We authorize the use of our plans conditioned on your obligation and agreement to strictly comply with all local building codes, ordinances, regulations and requirements, including permits and inspections at the time of and during construction. We recommend checking with your local building department for the most current requirements.

Please review additional FAQs regarding architectural/engineer stamps, plumbing, and HVAC.

Can I find out if a certain plan is built in my area?

In order to protect our customer's privacy we are unable to provide any information regarding the location of homes that have been built from our house plans.  Many house plans feature photography or renderings.

I am an international customer. How do I purchase a plan?

We sell home planss to customers all over the world! We strongly recommend purchasing AutoCAD packages since it will give you the ability to have the house modified to comply with local building codes in your country. You may order online or by phone at 770-831-6363. At this time, international shipping is only available to Canada. Please call for more information on shipping fees to Canada.

Will a material list sold as a standard option match my modified house plan?

The material list sold online (available for select plans only) reflects the floor plans exactly as seen on our website. If you have modified a plan and a material list is available, additional fees will apply to update the original document to reflect your changes. It may be possible that the standard material list may serve as a close estimate for your modified plan if you’ve made minor changes. Please contact our home plan specialist at 770-831-6363 to request a quote for modified material lists.

Does sales tax apply to my purchase?

Sales tax applies to all customers in the state of Georgia. The applicable sales tax will be determined based on your county of residence. Please contact our home plan specialists at 770-831-6363 for more information on sales tax.

Is my personal and credit card information secure?

Yes. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Founded in 1983, Archival Designs has been designing signature homes for over 35 years. Archival Designs' homes combine the enduring elegance of the grand homes of Europe with the modern conveniences, amenities and openness preferred for today's lifestyles. This artful combination of classic design, luxury and function is the hallmark of Archival Designs and the legacy of David Loftus, the founder and driving talent behind our more than 400 distinctive home plans.

JoAnne Loftus, Owner, is a Licensed Insured Residential & Light Commercial Builder in the State of Georgia.