Where to Find House Plans (And Giveaway!)

This month we're talking about the book Be Your Own House Contractor. And this week, we're looking at some pieces from the book's companion website at http://www.byoh.com/. Today, we'll discuss where to find house plans:

Q: Where do I find, or how does one get, house plans? Where do you start?

A: Start by visiting open houses near where you live, and preferably, if possible, near where you plan on building. You cannot begin to hope to understand house plans on paper (or on a computer monitor) until you become an expert at what they look like in reality. Carry a tape measure with you (the only tool besides a cell phone a builder needs, with the exception of maybe a broom); measure the actual sizes of rooms you like while visiting these open houses. Thanks to technology, you can now buy an electronic measuring device (for under $100) that allows you to measure more quickly, easily, and discreetly. After you have a feel for room sizes and room flow, you can more intelligently look at these features on paper (or on your computer).

Sample house plans are available in a myriad of places - magazines, plan books, home building centers, kit manufacturers, log home companies, home design computer software, home designers listed in the Yellow Pages, and architects. The cost of these plans will vary tremendously from almost nothing - if you design your own on your home computer - to a few hundred dollars from some of the other sources, to thousands of dollars if you hire an architect. Personal taste and budget will influence where you get plans, but one thing and only one thing will determine the most important thing to look for in choosing house plans. That is, the size of the house. The bigger the house, the more it will cost. Other factors do influence cost too, but it is size to watch out for. You need to study cost estimating before you get too serious about spending your money on what may or may not be your dream house.

We spent a month seeing newly built homes in our city's "Parade of Homes" and have spent another couple month's looking at properties for sale (we have a realtor, but if nothing else you could do this with no commitment by going to open houses.) As a result, we've learned a lot about what we do and do not want in a new house.

Want to know more? You can win a free copy of Be Your Own House Contractor. Here's how it works:

1. Leave a comment below -- any comment.

2. Sometime tomorrow, I'll stop by the post, stop the submissions, and name the winner.

3. It will be that person's responsibility to check back to see if they are a winner and then email me their contact information.

4. I'll send all the winners their books in one mass mailing going out the second week in September.

A few rules for these giveaways:

1. You can not win more than one prize.

2. I will be the complete and final judge.

3. Legal disclaimer: I can not guarantee safe delivery of the items. I'll send them via US Mail, so it's likely they'll be fine, but I can't control it and won't be held accountable if the mail system messes up.

4. If you win something and do not contact me within a week of winning, I reserve the right to give your prize away to another winner. Note again: I won't track down the winners -- it's your responsibility to come back and see if you won.

Good luck! Post a comment below for a chance to win this book!

Comments

[Scott Moonen]

Entering drawing!

[Scott Kustes]

Win win win!

[Thad]

I'll keep trying.

[Richard M.]

Please enter me again.

Thank you.

[Scott]

Please enter me again.

[Timmy T.]

I'm interested in buying a deteriorated property and demolishing before building. Is that covered in the book?

[Cherly]

Lucky #7

I hope =)

[Kevin]

Trying again...

[Eric G.]

me again

[Cam]

One more time!

[Justin]

42. That's the answer.

[Nathan]

Fingers crossed.

[JH]

.

[Armel]

I'm back to try again!

[Dave]

I'm a winner!!

[Adam]

I hope i'm the winner

[Richard]

Looking to be a winner today

[GeekMan]

Comment says, "Any."

[Choksi]

Entering the contest

[Chad d]

Sure seems like an interesting book.

[Hemal]

and Again

[Carl Heldmann]

Timmy asks; I'm interested in buying a deteriorated property and demolishing before building. Is that covered in the book?
Posted by: Timmy T. | August 22, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Carl, author of the book says, yes! Chapter 9.

[Fred]

I concur with Justin
He knows where his towel is.

[JMS]

Trying again!

[lily]

when will i win??

[Little rick]

would love this one for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[esther]

trying again.

[Reto]

Another day, another chance!

[Christina]

Entering the drawing - might as well, though I'd buy the book, too! :)

[Seth H]

Trying again!

[Familyfinanceguy]

Go Cubs!

[Dee Whit]

Trying again to win an interesting book!

[Debbie]

We are building a new home and I would like to know just as much as my contractor if that is possible. This is why I would like to win.

[Matt G.]

Don't the odds have to be shifting in my favor? I'll take a book!

[Brad]

here we go

[Cindy M]

one more time.

[Garan]

Again

[FMF]

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is Matt G. who posted at 4:45 pm yesterday. Congrats!

Matt, please email me (see: http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2005/04/free_money_fina_4.html ) and we'll arrange to get you your book.

To the rest of you, stay tuned. I still have plenty of copies to give away!