How much does it really cost to build?

Beyond the plan itself, expect costs for: site preparation, foundation, framing, mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), and finishes. A realistic budget starts with understanding these buckets—not just the sticker price of a plan.

What's a realistic timeline?

Plan on 8-18 months from selecting a plan to move-in. Permitting takes 2-8 weeks, foundation and framing 2-4 months, and finishes another 3-6 months. Weather, inspections, and material availability all affect timing.

What about my specific lot?

Every lot has constraints: setbacks, slope, HOA rules, zoning requirements. The right plan accounts for these. If you're unsure, contact us before purchasing—we'll help you find a plan that fits your lot's requirements.

Why do ready-made plans work?

Builders love proven designs. They've built similar homes before, know the materials needed, and can price accurately. You get professional architecture without the custom price tag—and modifications are always possible.

Will this plan work with my builder?

Yes. Our plans include complete construction documents that any licensed builder can use. Builders prefer working with proven designs—they can price accurately and know what to expect.

Can I modify the plan?

Absolutely. We offer modification services for most plans, or your builder/architect can make changes. Common modifications include adjusting garage size, adding rooms, or flipping layouts.

What's included in the package?

Complete construction documents: floor plans, exterior elevations, foundation plan, roof plan, electrical layouts, cross-sections, and construction details. Everything your builder needs to break ground.

What if the plan doesn't work for my lot?

Contact us before purchasing. Our team will review your lot requirements—setbacks, slope, dimensions—and help you find a plan that fits. We'd rather help you choose right than process a return.

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Refund Policy

We want to make sure the house you choose is perfect for you. Please be certain that the plan you have selected suits your needs prior to purchasing.

Due to the intellectual knowledge shared in our product, all sales are final and cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstances.

All house plans sold by Archival Designs Inc. 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.

Building Codes: 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.

Engineering: Some states require that a licensed architect or engineer review and stamp the plans. If this is the case where you will be building, a local professional will be able to assist you. Stock house plans do not come stamped or signed by an architect or engineer, and may not include structural engineering notes/calculations.

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions regarding architectural/engineer stamps, plumbing, and HVAC.

No Adjustment or Refund to Purchase Price: We compare our prices with competitors and frequently offer limited-time sitewide discounts to ensure our customers receive the lowest prices. As a result, we do not offer price adjustments or refunds on previous purchases.

Building Your Dream Home Doesn't Have to Be a Gamble

The complete guide for first-time home builders

Learn How Smart Families Build

If you're overwhelmed by builders, permits, and cost unknowns you're not alone. Most first-time builders feel exactly this way. That's why we put together this guide: to help you make confident decisions before spending a dollar on construction.

🏗️

Builder-First Process

Cookie-cutter designs + endless upsells. You lose control before you start.

💰

Architect Route

$20-50k and months of waiting. For most families, it's overkill.

📋

Permit Surprises

Redesigns after submission. County rules you didn't know existed.

What Most Builders Won't Tell You

Building a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Before you commit to a builder's limited catalog or spend months with an architect, here's what you need to know about costs, timelines, and getting the home you actually want.

FAQ

: Beyond the plan itself, expect costs for: site preparation, foundation, framing, mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), and finishes.
A realistic budget starts with understanding these buckets—not just the sticker price of a plan.
: Plan on 8-18 months from selecting a plan to move-in. Permitting takes 2-8 weeks, foundation and framing 2-4 months, and finishes another 3-6
months. Weather, inspections, and material availability all affect timing.
: Every lot has constraints: setbacks, slope, HOA rules, zoning requirements. The right plan accounts for these. If you're unsure, contact us
before purchasing—we'll help you find a plan that fits your lot's requirements.
: Builders love proven designs. They've built similar homes before, know the materials needed, and can price accurately. You get professional
architecture without the custom price tag—and modifications are always possible.

The Smart Middle Path

Not cookie-cutter. Not custom chaos.

Start with a proven design from 40+ years of expertise. Customize to your lot and vision. Stay in control of timeline and budget.

Archival Designs gives you professional architecture at a fraction of the cost—with the flexibility to make it yours.

View all

The plan was exactly what we needed. Our builder said it was one of the most complete sets of documents he'd worked with.

Michael T., Texas

We saved months compared to going the custom architect route. The modifications team helped us adjust the garage for our lot.

Sarah & James K., Colorado

Finally moved in last month. Still can't believe we got this home for what we paid. The plans made everything smoother.

David R., North Carolina

How Archival Plans Compare

	Archival Plans	Builder's Stock	Custom Architect
Cost	$1,500–3,500	$0–500	$20,000–50,000+
Timeline	Immediate	Immediate	3–6 months
Customization	Modifications available	Limited/none	Unlimited
Builder Acceptance	High (proven designs)	Their design only	Varies
Design Quality	Award-winning, 40+ years	Basic/repetitive	Depends on architect

Common Questions

: Yes. Our plans include complete construction documents that any licensed builder can use. Builders prefer working with proven designs—they can
price accurately and know what to expect.
: Absolutely. We offer modification services for most plans, or your builder/architect can make changes. Common modifications include adjusting
garage size, adding rooms, or flipping layouts.
: Complete construction documents: floor plans, exterior elevations, foundation plan, roof plan, electrical layouts, cross-sections, and construction details. Everything your builder needs to break ground.
: Contact us before purchasing. Our team will review your lot requirements—setbacks, slope, dimensions—and help you find a plan that fits. We'd rather help you choose right than process a return.

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