Frequently asked questions

If you are having issues downloading the plans, please try these steps below:

1. First, check your computer downloads folder. Open Finder for Mac, or File Explorer for Windows and navigate to the Downloads folder. If you do not see your drawings here, continue on to step 2.
2. Check your web browser download icon. In most web browsers, there is a little icon in the top right corner of the browser that shows the current downloads. See if your file is here and still downloading.
3. Ensure pop-up windows are not blocked.
4. Disable anti-virus software and ensure that you are not blocking web browser cookies in you web browser settings.
5. Check your email and find the Re-download email we sent to you. Click on this button and wait on this web page for 30 seconds.

If you have tried this process and are still having issues accessing your plans, please reach out to us and we will email your plans to you directly.

Reach out to us at info@nestedhomeplans.com to discuss your project and we will provide information on bulk-purchasing. We also offer partnerships with website hosting for select floor plans that cater to your demographic, as a way for you or your team of realtors to engage potential land buyers.

The cost of the drawings is $1 per square foot, it's that simple. For example, if the total square footage of the home you customized is 1,800 sf, then the cost is to purchase the drawings is $1,800. This makes our pricing transparent - when we say 1$ a square foot, we mean it! Detached garage plans are also available under the same $1/sf pricing structure. Go to the "all plans" page and filter by "detached garage".

BIM & CAD files are also available for purchase at an additional cost. This cost does not include modification of the CAD file.

By purchasing the drawings, you are granted the right to construct one building based on the purchased design. If you intend to build multiple structures, you will need to purchase additional plans to obtain the necessary legal rights. For those planning to build three or more homes, we offer discounted pricing for developers. Please contact us via email to discuss this option further.

The plans are protected by copyright law, making it unlawful to duplicate or build from them without purchasing and securing the appropriate rights. We are committed to safeguarding the value and integrity of these unique designs. By purchasing the plans, you acknowledge and agree to abide by these terms of use.

While you could attempt to piece together house plans independently, doing so would be impractical and costly. You would likely need to hire a builder or drafter to interpret and assemble the plans, but without the necessary expertise, they would struggle to execute them correctly. Additionally, doing so would constitute a copyright infringement.

Properly designing a functional floor plan requires careful consideration of fundamental dimensions. For instance, hallways must be at least 42 inches wide to allow two people to pass comfortably. However, in high-traffic or communal areas, wider hallways are necessary to accommodate movement without discomfort, particularly when carrying large items such as groceries.

Beyond adhering to the International Residential Code (IRC), hundreds of additional design considerations must be taken into account—considerations that stem from decades of experience in custom home design. Our approach integrates IRC requirements, construction feasibility, and expert design principles to create cohesive, well-structured, and aesthetically refined plans.

Your plans include the following drawings:

• foundation plan
• floor plans
• roof plan
• elevations
• sections
• typical details (stair, chimney, etc.)
• door schedule
• window schedule
• architectural style details (railing, brackets, window and door trim, etc.)
• interior material schedule
• exterior material schedule
• enlarged bathroom floor plan(s) and interior elevations
• enlarged kitchen floor plan and interior elevations
• enlarged powder room or coat closet floor plan and interior elevations
• construction annotations and dimensions
• entry perspectives
• aerial perspectives

These are the most commonly required drawings for obtaining a building permit and constructing the home. Additionally, all of our plans are drafted in-house by custom home architects, ensuring they are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously detailed. During checkout, you have the option to purchase "BIM and CAD" which would allow you to make modifications to your plans with a local architect.

Don't worry, this is part of the process! Our customization process involves reviewing options for each space—like bathrooms, the kitchen, or powder room—and selecting your favorites. For example, you'll look at the "Second Bathroom" options, check its location on the floor plan, and pick which bathroom layout you like best for that location. Once you're done, our system compiles and illustrates your selections into a detailed construction drawing package.

If adjustments are needed—like rotating or mirroring the selections to fit your floor plan—your builder can help. This allows you to personalize features like door placements or towel hook locations. If you purchase the BIM/CAD file in addition to your plans, a drafter or architect can make these adjustments for you, ensuring your design works perfectly in your space.

Absolutely! All the drawings adhere to the 2021 International Residential Code standard and serve as a solid foundation for securing a permit. However, building permit requirements can vary by jurisdiction. In some instances, you may need to work with a local architect or draftsperson to include location-specific details.

The cost of building your home can vary significantly based on factors such as location, site accessibility, season, and the builder you choose. Because of these variables, providing an exact estimate isn't feasible. However, here are some tips to help ensure your custom home aligns with your budget.

First, look up the average cost per sq/ft to build in your area. Get as specific as possible with your location. Take this number and multiply it by your home's square footage. Add 20% to the total price (or multiply by 1.2) for a construction contingency. This is a good starting point to know if you are in the ballpark for your budget.

Alternatively, you can use an online estimation service. You can upload your plans and they will make a detailed breakout of the cost of materials and labor.

If these approaches exceed your budget, consider opting for a smaller footprint of the same style home or a two-story version, as building upward is often more cost-effective than expanding outward. Use the plan generator to explore different versions of your customized design.

1. Give your plans to a builder or contractor.
2. Distribute your plans to engineer (if required).
3. Submit your plans for building permit approval.

If you want to make modifications, send the drawings to a local architect or engineer. Most architects and engineers work in BIM or CAD file formats, which can be purchased in addition to the drawings. Providing both the drawings and the digital BIM/CAD files will streamline the process of making design changes.

If you do not want to make changes to the plans then the next step is obtaining a building permit. Most cities or counties require a building permit before starting construction. Talk to your local building department and determine what documents will be necessary for permit. Additional information may need to be added to the plans depending on your locale. Distribute the plans to any engineers or consultants that may be required. Gather all of the required documents and submit to your local building department. Once you have obtained your permit, provide the finalized plans to your builder and coordinate construction cost and schedule with them. Keep in mind that oftentimes a builder can facilitate the permit process.

This varies greatly depending on where you intend to build. You can find the requirements for a licensed professional's involvement with your project if you visit your county or city's development website.

If you are in a seismic zone, hurricane region, or have unstable site conditions, you will likely need to hire a structural engineer to provide additional analysis and drawings.

Purchasing these plans can remove the need to hire an architect altogether. However, if you need or want to hire an architect to make changes, purchasing these plans can save you money on an architect's services since you will not be starting from scratch. In any event where you anticipate hiring a licensed professional (engineer or architect) we recommend purchasing the "BIM and CAD" files at checkout. This type of file format is most often used by engineers and architects and can expedite the coordination process, thus reducing their fees and saving you money.

Our one-of-a-kind customization process makes it easy to modify the plans to suit your needs. During this process, you'll choose how many levels you want, how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need, the interior and exterior style of your home, and the unique kitchen and bathroom layouts. This gives you a lot of flexibility to design the home you want without the cost of an architect.

If you are looking to change the location of walls, roofs, or floors, we can help you make these changes in one of two ways.

1. When you select your plan, scroll down to the bottom of the plan page and click on the prompt that asks if you would like to make changes. Describe your changes in the given questionnaire and submit it to us for review. We will contact you to discuss the fees and time required to make your requested changes.
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2. If you anticipate hiring a designer or architect for your project, we recommend purchasing the BIM/CAD files during checkout and working with a local design professional to make modifications to your plans. These plans are a great starting point for any professional you work with and can save time and cost on their services. This can provide more flexibility for you to make changes throughout the duration of your project.