Whether you're planning a green home remodel or starting from scratch with a brand new green home, it may be helpful to have ready-made green home plans in hand. You've seen books, magazines and websites featuring home plans for free or for purchase, and now there are many companies who specifically create plans for sustainable homes. Before you purchase a set, evaluate what is included, how you can adapt them to fit your specific site and consider why it's important to get a second opinion.
What's Typically Included
Depending on where you purchase your green home plans, certain items are included as a part of the package, while others are not. You may receive one copy of a drawing set that you can reproduce yourself, or copyrights may dictate that you purchase all copies individually from the home plan provider. Some items may be billed as extras, but generally the options include:
- Physical drawings on blueprint or vellum, including: foundation plan, floor plans, roof plan, sections, exterior elevations and electrical, mechanical and plumbing diagrams
- Digital drawing set: useful to make modifications
- Three dimensional sketches or renderings: accurately depict the finished spaces and materials
- Reverse plans: a mirror-image design for special circumstances, although usually these are literally in reverse, with backwards text
- Specifications including green building materials
Modifying Green Home Plans
You absolutely should personalize the home to suit your site, budget, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. In fact, you probably don't have a choice. Contact your local building department and inquire about the codes with which your home must comply.
Many plan providers follow the Uniform Building Code or International Residential Code, so they will likely comply with most local codes, but it's important to double check. Also, some states and counties require the seal of a licensed architect or engineer.
If you already own a lot, the home will need to be tweaked to fit its proportions and the elevation of the land, especially if there is a significant slope. You may need a different type of foundation than what is included in the plans. Consider solar orientation and air flow: windows should be positioned to promote passive heating and cooling. Depending on the area in which you plan to build the home, you may need to beef up structural members to withstand heavy snow or wind loads or protect against seismic activity.
Aside from technical issues, think about your family's lifestyle and how the home plans meet these needs. Do you really need both a den and a formal living room? How many bedrooms and bathrooms are necessary? Are there possibilities to expand the home in the future? Weigh the home's detailing, including material palette and other finishes, against your budget and aesthetic preferences. It's relatively easy to cut costs by using less expensive materials, or you can upgrade to more high-end selections. You can also easily change such details as trim profiles, exterior cladding, and raising or lowering ceilings.
Many people purchase pre-packaged home plans because they can't afford the services of an architect but want a home that is thoughtfully designed and detailed. Now that green home plans are becoming widely available, you can build a home that is both attractive and sustainable. However, you should still consider hiring a local architect or LEED consultant on an hourly basis to review the plans and help you customize it to fit the site conditions as well as your family's needs.