Do I Need a Set of Plans Before Finding a Builder?

Building a home is usually one of those “once in a lifetime” adventures that not everyone has the chance to participate in. Therefore, most people are not experienced in how they should start out the building process or knowledgeable in how to handle certain situations throughout the job. One thing that a lot of people are unsure about is whether or not they need a set of plans before finding a builder.

At Copeland Custom Homes, we encounter a lot of families who will approach us before having a set of drawings. This is normal, and it is not necessarily a bad thing. You do not need a set of plans before looking for a builder. However, it is necessary to have some drawings before you decide on whom you want to oversee the construction of your home.

I say this because no one will be able to give you a final price on the construction of your home until you have a final set of plans. Your home drawings give all of the details necessary for contractors to be able to estimate the total cost of your house. Before then, any price discussions between you and the contractor should be considered “ballpark” just because nothing can be fully estimated. Even if you have lengthy discussions with them, we encourage you not to trust the price given until you have an estimate based on the set of plans.

However, you may not know how to handle going about getting a set of drawings. This is where CCH can help you. Be sure to schedule a meeting with Rick and he will be happy to sit down with you to discuss what you would like to build. Rick is very good about pointing you in the right direction regarding specific products to use for your budget. Once you have this meeting, then you will have a better understanding of what to discuss with a designer. Rick will be able to direct you to some designers so that you will not have to do research in order to find one. From there, you will be able to eliminate some options in the design phase that will help you to save money in the long run.

Also, feel free to meet with a designer first in order to discuss what you would like to see in your future home. Most designers are very competent and will know how to layout out your home to fit your needs. After that, any price discussions with contractors will be more reliable since you will have something to base it off of.

Did you have a set of plans drawn before finding a builder when you were planning your home construction? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!

“We are not just your builder, we are your neighbor!”