stock house plans

For over a year now, I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to build a house on some property I own in upstate New York. I've talked with the various pre-fab folks, talked with architects, etc. There's a house there now that's a piece of junk. I've made it livable, but there's not getting around the fact that it's poorly built, and not sited where I want it. In an ideal world, I'd hire an architect and go ahead and built my dream house. However, I just don't think I can afford to do it right now. So my current thinking is to build two houses in a sort of compound. A smaller one for now (that will ultimately become a guest house), and hold off on my dream house until I can afford to spend the money required to realize my vision.

I've found a stock home plan that I kind of like at Dream Home Source:



Now, my questions:

1. What do you think of the house?
2. Has anyone ever ordered these plans before?
3. Has anyone had any experience building a stock house like this? I'm assuming I'll have to do some substantial modifications to get it up to code in my area (very cold area)

Any thoughts at all would be greatly appreciated...

If this will be a guest house, it may work very well. Regarding cost - you can find a builder with a designer on staff (or on stand-by) that can match this drawing to local code and the builder's construction method of choice.
I might not even buy the stock plan. For the cost, there may be little from the plan that you actually retain through the project. Your tastes + code + builder + local weather = very modified plan.

I think this is a great little house design. This was in fact one of the few modern house plans I turned up back in 2001-2002 when I did extensive research into stock house plans. Back then I had posted this same image on the Dwell Message Boards. All my research back then is what led me to create my own catalog plans for modern houses because there was so little offered.

This is a great mid-century design, but it would be worthwhile asking the publisher when the last time the plan set was updated. If it is a while ago you might as well figure that you will need some modifications in order to bring the set up to current codes.

I like the design. It is simple, open and space efficient, and offers great views. It will also make a great guesthouse when you do build your dream home.

The floor plan is very simple. I am not sure that I would purchase the plans either. There is not much there to be buying. Any good staff designer or architect can take this idea and modify it to suit your needs for a nominal cost. As far as meeting local codes, the designer can easily handle that too. Build for your climate. ICFs, SIPs, frame with foam insulation; any of these methods will provide you with a well-insulated building. I really like the idea of using spray foams for insulating the floors and ceilings (regardless of wall construction). This gives you a good air seal in areas that are typically ignored. In the Midwest, foaming horizontal surfaces costs about $1.25 per sq ft and vertical surfaces are $1 per sq ft. Your costs would probably be a little higher.

Good luck with your project!
John

I wanted to amend my previous post:

I should have suggested that you contact the plan supplier and ask if they can provide the plans with the updates or changes you require including energy efficient building materials. And at what cost. Then you can decide if you want to purchase the plans from them or have the house re-designed by someone else. This would allow the original designer the opportunity to provide you with the plans for your project that still meet your specific needs.

Thanks for your responses. I contacted the publisher asking about when it was last updated, etc., but the response I got back was simply cut and pasted from the FAQ section on their website. We'll see.

My thinking in ordering the plans was that I could go ahead and get the plans approved this winter, the piers poured this spring (would use concrete), and begin work whenever it warms up enough. I didn't mention that I plan on doing as much of the work as I can myself (and by recruiting experienced friends and family). The site is in a very small town and there's about a two year waiting list to use the good builders. And I don't want to wait that long. That said, I've got a number of architect friends who can handle the revisions for me, so I'm not stressed about that...

Promise you will start a blog here?!