Building a house is a big, exciting project. However, when poorly planned, it can quickly turn into a nightmare.
Hiring an architect to design your home, or simply purchasing a pre-designed architect's plan, are both wise choices. At least, they're wiser than playing the apprentice and designing your own.
But how much does a house plan cost? Why is it so important to invest in a professional architectural plan, and are there free options and how do they compare? In this article, we'll answer all these questions, providing an overview that will help you make an informed decision for your future construction project.
How much does a house plan cost?
To give you the most accurate answer, we combed through all the house plans from seven architectural firms to establish a price range. Here's what we found:
The price of a house plan ranges from $800$ to $8000$. You'll also need to budget for additional costs if you require modifications or a list of materials for construction.
Although it may seem expensive for a piece of paper, a house plan can save you a lot of money in the end.
Letโs see together why you should invest in a house plan made by an architect.
Why invest in an architect's plan?
To optimize the spaces in your home, minimize construction costs, avoid unpleasant surprises and ultimately, have a home that meets and adapts to your needs. Let me explain:
As seen on the site of LEGUร architecture :
"We estimate the average cost of building a property at 2,000 square feet per square foot*. So, if your house plan contains 30 square feet of wasted space or unused area, that means you will have spent 6,000 square feet on unnecessary construction costs. Remember that 25 square feet is 5 feet x 5 feet, which is barely the size of a small bathroom!"
An architect can maximize the space in your home and create the simplest structure to save you money on your home's construction. For these reasons, we believe a house plan is more of a profitable investment than an expense in your project.
Where to buy your house plan
Here are our preferred companies for purchasing your house plan. You'll find the price range for each in the table below.
- LEGUร Architecture
- TALO
- Drummund Drawings
- Quebec House Plan
- Design Plans
- Image Plan
- Draw Plan
Price range of architectural firms
| Business | Cheapest house plan price | Most expensive house plan price |
| LEGUร Architecture | 1520$ | 4670$ |
| TALO | 1300$ | 8000$ |
| Drummund Drawings | 1050$ | 3000$ |
| Quebec House Plan | 850$ | 2115$ |
| Design Plans | 1045$ | 1675$ |
| Image Plan | 920$ | 2200$ |
| Draw Plan | 800$ | 1900$ |
How to make a house plan for free?
Unfortunately, there's no real way to get free house plans other than making them yourself, and as we've seen, this comes with its share of risks and drawbacks.
On the other hand, if you want to have your dream house built without going through an architect, the alternative of a prefabricated house is very interesting and advantageous.
Indeed, opting for a prefabricated house is a quick and economical construction solution which allows you to choose the house model which suits you, which has been designed by an architect and which can be adapted according to your needs.
Conclusion
In short, an architect's plan is like a travel map. It ensures you arrive at the right destination, taking the optimal route, and it will save you a lot of hassle and make your construction project more enjoyable.
We always recommend working with an expert for house plans. Otherwise, you risk paying too much for wasted space and regretting certain aspects of your home that ultimately won't suit your needs.
