Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers to assist in your house plan search. Click on your question to view the answer. You can also learn more by visiting our Terms & Definitions page or by contacting us.

  • How experienced are your designers and builders?

    The designers, builders, and other professionals at Sageland Design have decades of combined experience in the industry. Our expertise areas include home design, remodel/addition design, AutoCAD, 3D modeling, architectural drafting, interior commercial space planning, home building, and structural drafting. You can count on us to use all our knowledge and resources to create a house plan that exceeds your expectations.

  • How do I find a house plan that meets my criteria?

    Searching through our stock plans is easy with our simple filtering system. You can browse plans based on the number of stories, bedrooms, baths, and garages. You can also further narrow down your selection by selecting different features, including, den or office, covered patio, bonus room, basement, and multi-family. Our friendly representatives will be happy to answer any specific questions about a plan.

  • What areas do you provide design and build services?

    While many of the customers we serve are in the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, WA areas, we are able to create customized floor plans for families throughout the nation. We can even adapt plans to match your specific location. Due to travel limitations, however, our build services are only available in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Can you tell me if a plan has been purchased and built in my area?

    For your privacy and the protection of other buyers, we keep information about previous purchases confidential. That being said, we’ll do our best to get pictures of previously built homes using your house plan if the owner permits. We know you want to see a representation of your plan before making a commitment. Our 3D renditions are very accurate and will give you a great idea of what to expect from a particular plan.

  • Have your plans been through the construction process?

    All of our stock plans have been through the complete construction process, so they are tried and true. You can enter the construction phase of your project with peace of mind knowing that our designs have been carefully examined from top to bottom, especially if you hire us to be your builder. We’ll even be able to make some modifications to our existing plans with little to no hassle.

  • What is the difference between design and design-build?

    With design services, you get detailed house plans that are a blueprint for construction, but you’re responsible for hiring a builder who can execute those plans. With design-build services, we handle both the design and the construction phase of your home building project. This is an effective way to control costs and fulfill your expectations.

  • What is the first step of the design or design-build process?

    The first step is to meet with our professionals to discuss your goals and budget. We call this part of the process discovery. This is a shared experience where we discuss your aspirations and inspire you to come up with a vision for a remodel or a new home that fits your style and functional objectives. Discover opens up all kinds of possibilities which makes this one of the most fun parts of the process.

  • What’s the benefit of singular responsibility?

    When you hire us for your design-build project, we’ll be the single point of contact for all your questions, concerns, and requests. As the point of singular responsibility, we’ll be able to help you fulfill your unique goals and solve any issues that arrive with as little confusion and hassle as possible. You won’t need to juggle a bunch of different contacts just to find out what’s going on with your home.

  • Will I lose control if I choose design-build services?

    Many people are concerned that they will lose control over their home building project if they hire one company to handle the designing and building. Our previous customers will be happy to tell you that this is simply not the case. We make sure that our customers benefit from competitive pricing, subcontractor selection, and selection of materials. During every step of the design and build process, the ultimate decision is yours.

  • How long will it take to complete a project?

    We wish there was a simple answer to this question, but how long your project will take will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the plan, location, and time of year. We can usually complete custom house plans in just a few weeks, but finishing the building process could take three to six months. You can discuss the timeline for your project with a professional on our staff during and after the discovery phase?

  • How does location on a lot affect costs?

    We wish there was a simple answer to this question, but how long your project will take will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the plan, location, and time of year. We can usually complete custom house plans in just a few weeks, but finishing the building process could take three to six months. You can discuss the timeline for your project with a professional on our staff during and after the discovery phase?

  • How does location on a lot affect costs?

    Construction costs can vary greatly from place to place on your lot due to excavation and foundation construction. Our builders will recommend a spot that is most cost-effective, but you may be able to make adjustments if the new location is structurally feasible and within your budget.

  • How does location on a lot affect costs?

    Construction costs can vary greatly from place to place on your lot due to excavation and foundation construction. Our builders will recommend a spot that is most cost-effective, but you may be able to make adjustments if the new location is structurally feasible and within your budget.

  • Shouldn’t I just hire an architect?

    You could hire an architect to create a plan for your renovation or new home construction, but there are some key disadvantages when compared with a design-build service. One, a plan an architect creates may come in way over budget when it comes to construction, and you will have to pay them more money to create a new plan. Second, architects are unable to estimate many of the costs involved with construction, including debris removal, HVAC, lead testing, dust protection, and painting. They also only provide 2D, black and white drawings, so it might be difficult for you to get a full picture of a design before construction begins.

  • Can I just buy a house plan without building services?

    Of course. We’re happy to provide any level of service you want. Take your time and look through our stock plans to see what you like. If you want to take over everything once you chose a plan, go ahead. You’re not obligated to any additional work or services.

  • Do you provide remodeling or additions services?

    Yes! If you already have a built home that you would like to make changes to, we can help. Our designers can plan a remodel or addition that fits seamlessly within the existing style of your home, and our construction professionals can complete work with as little disruption to your life as possible. We know that remodeling projects can have a reputation for getting out of hand, but we’ll use our experience and expertise to ensure every aspect stays under control.

  • What type of home remodeling services do you offer?

    We’re prepared to help you improve your home in many ways. We can plan and build a kitchen remodel that increases storage space and updates the look of our surfaces and fixtures. We renovate bathrooms to improve their appeal and add bedrooms so that you can adapt to your growing family. We can even transform your garage into a livable space.

  • How much does remodeling cost?

    While each remodeling project has different costs depending on the size and scope, we have a general ballpark figure for what certain types of projects cost in the Pacific Northwest. We urge you to contact us today and tell us what your basic goals are for your renovation. We can then tell you what you might expect to pay and help you decide the optimal cost vs value ratio. You can find regional and national averages for remodeling here. https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2019/

  • What are as-built drawings?

    As-built drawings are used in remodeling and addition projects to give designers and builders an accurate picture of the current condition of a home. These drawings are essential when figuring out what types of renovations are possible and how much they could potentially cost. As-built drawings are usually created from scratch as there are usually no existing drawings of the property. This requires on-site measurements of both the interior and exterior of the home.

  • Is it possible to reverse a house plan?

    Yes. There are many reasons why you may want to reverse your house plan due to the location of the lot, the orientation of the sun, or simply personal preference. We can offer a full reverse option where we create a mirror of the original plan and re-write all of the text and dimensions so that they’re simple for the builders to read. This is often called a right-reading reverse, and it eliminates some costly mistakes that a simple mirror reverse plan might create on site.

  • What is a materials list?

    In order to make construction as easy and cost-effective for you and the builder as possible, this list includes all the components needed to completely build the home from the ground up according to a house plan’s specifications. Materials include things like wood, tile, granite, drywall, shingles and any other items you may have specified for your plan. Once you have the materials list, you can start sourcing suppliers in order to find the best deals.

  • Can you make modifications to make a plan more accessible?

    Yes, we’re ready to help you build a home that’s accessible to people with mobility issues in your family. We can make certain areas of your home wheelchair friendly by widening doorways, implementing ramps, and increasing the size of bathrooms so that they can fit certain features.

  • Are your house plans structurally designed?

    Depending on the local building requirements and the complexity of the structure, a design may have input from a structural engineer. This is to ensure that the structure meets or exceeds the specified design loads that are in the final drawings. Other needed engineering may include Joist layout, Truss engineering, or lateral engineering.

  • What is the purpose of a reproducible set?

    In some cases, modifications will need to be made to your plan after you purchase it. Reproducible sets allow qualified engineers and architects to make these changes without having to go backward and completely redraw the plans. In order for the architect or engineer to make as many copies as they need, the reproducible set comes with a copyright release. It’s a good idea to let the professional you want to make changes know about your intentions before purchasing a plan.

  • How many copies of the construction plans do I need?

    While we recommend everyone have at least five copies of their plan, the specific number you will need will depend on your unique situation. You’ll need one copy for yourself in addition to the copies required for your mortgage lender, builder, local building regulators, and any subcontractors you may decide to hire.

  • How do you calculate square footage?

    We use the same standards as realtors and appraisers to calculate square footage. This means only the spaces in the plan that are conditioned, or heated, are added to the final calculation. Areas like patios, garages sunrooms, screened porches, and some other bonus areas won’t be included. A basement may be added to the square footage if the space is finished, such as a basement with a bedroom and bathroom.

  • Do you list the dimensions of each room in your plans?

    Most of our plans have the dimensions of each room listed right beneath the room name in feet and inches. Some areas, like bathrooms and closets, may not have any dimensions listed. The length and width of the garage are available in most plans even though it does not count towards the total square footage of the home.

  • Will your plans meet the building codes for my county?

    At Sageland Design, we ensure all our plans satisfy most all national building codes. While a majority of the plans we create were designed for clients in our local region and adhere to codes in the Pacific Northwest, your specific county may have special requirements. You’ll find out if the plans need changes when you submit them for a permit with your local regulator. Most required changes are minor and don’t require a lot of work to fix. We can update any plan to meet most regulatory requirements upon request.  Submit questions using our Contact Us form and we will get back to you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our designers, feel free to use our scheduling link below. Of course, you can always call us @ 509-579-0195.

  • Do you create custom house plans?

    Yes! If you want a unique plan that meets specific requirements that are not found among our current stock designs, we’ll be happy to speak with you about creating a custom plan. We specialize in meeting the needs of our clients without breaking the bank.

  • How can I understand a house plan?

    The detailed house plans we provide are CAD printouts that will be used by your builder to construct your home from the ground up. Even if you’re not a professional builder, however, you can learn what certain symbols and drawings mean to get a basic understanding of your plan. Construction documents specify dimensions, materials, locations, finishes, and other features that are to be followed in order to get the look you’ve seen in our artist renderings.

  • Do you have 3D visualizations of your custom or stock plans available?

    The professionals at Sageland have access to amazing tools that help us create stunning 3D visualizations of both custom and stock plans. We understand that two-dimensional drawings don’t really give you the full picture of a plan, so our “Built By Design” process includes stunning 3D presentations that will help you make improvements and avoid costly mistakes.

  • Are there photographs of homes constructed using your plans?

    Thanks to the input of our customers and partners, we have many photographs of homes constructed using our plans available. You can view them through Pinterest, Instagram, and other social media accounts which are located at the top of our web page. Unfortunately, we do not currently have photographs available for every single stock plan listed on our website. We are frequently adding more plans with client photos so if your desired plan doesn’t currently have them they may be coming soon! If you have a specific request submit questions using our Contact Us form and we will get back to you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our designers, feel free to use our scheduling link below. Of course, you can always call us @ 509-579-0195.

  • Can I view the side elevations of a house plan?

    Yes, this information is located in our exterior elevations drawings. These provide measurements from every side of the house. This is usually on the first page of our standard new construction plan views.

  • How do I find the ceiling heights in your plans?

    You should be able to find the ceiling height for most of our floor plan views on the plan details page and will most definitely see these dimensions by viewing our plan flyers. Some plans contain more information and details than others. Additional details and plan information can be provided for any plan upon request. Submit questions using our Contact Us form and we will get back to you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our designers, feel free to use our scheduling link below. Of course, you can always call us @ 509-579-0195.

  • Can you provide a Cost of Work estimate for the construction of a plan?

    We may be able to help you create a budget that controls the costs of construction. We understand the various expenses involved in building a home and can anticipate overall costs based on your chosen plan and other factors like location and the current market. However, it can be difficult for us to predict what the final costs will be.

  • Are HVAC, electrical, and plumbing details included in your plans?

    Usually, they are not, but they may be available if you choose to make Plan Modifications or use our Custom Design services and we already know certain details about construction. This is because we don’t have the necessary information, including local codes, the location of main water line, and where the electricity will enter the home.

  • Do you have “green”, or “sustainable” house plans available?

    While Sageland Design highly values homes that are energy efficient and sustainable, we don’t specifically offer a category of green homes for a variety of reasons. One, what determines whether or not a home is efficient is beyond our control. For example, your choice of appliances and lighting. Second, each person’s definition of green is different, so we leave it up to you to decide what you want the environmental impact of your home to be. Of course, we’re happy to help in any way we can.

  • Do you offer house plans with a pool?

    Currently, most of our house plans only cover the main structure of the home, not any additional features of a property like pools, cabanas, or things like detached sheds. Many of our plans include outdoor features that would complement a pool, like covered decks and outdoor accessible bathrooms, so there’s no reason to avoid Sage Design plans if you want a pool for your home.

  • Are there multi-family home plans available?

    Yes. We understand that many people want to build homes with multiple units for a variety of reasons. We have a wide selection of multi-family plans that can fulfill a variety of requirements. Some of the plans have two identical, symmetrical units while other plans set one larger floor plan next to a smaller one. There are also designs with private mother-in-law quarters.

  • Can I build your plan myself without a licensed builder?

    We always recommend that you either use a licensed builder in your area or from the region close to your home so they are sure to understand the local climate or code requirements. Both Washington and Oregon require that you have a license before building a structure over a certain size or handling special types of construction like plumbing and electricity. In addition, if you’re not an experienced professional, you’re likely to make mistakes that could cost a lot of money to repair. The money you save from doing work yourself will likely be eclipsed by needed repair work in the future.

  • Do you recommend any builders in my area?

    As we’ve noted before, we can help you make the best choice when choosing a contractor to build your Sageland Design house plan. If you’re still interested in using your own builder because of previous work history or recommendations, we urge you to complete adequate due diligence before signing any contracts.

  • Do I have to worry about building permits?

    No. We can recommend a builder or contractor who will most likely take care of all necessary permits for your new home construction or your renovations. We understand that adhering to government regulation can seem complicated, but we already have the knowledge needed to insure your house plans will satisfy most local building departments.

  • Can I schedule a meeting at your location?

    Sure, we’d be happy to meet with you in person do discuss your upcoming project. You can contact us by phone at 509-579-0195 or you can send us a message through a form on our contact page. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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