A residential building plan is a drawing that shows what a house will look like after it’s constructed. These building plans are typically drawn by designers or architects. If you’re planning on constructing a new house, it’s important to study up on what has to be included in a house plan. This way, your plan will have a better chance of getting accepted when you send it to your city or county for approval. Before you begin working on designing your house, here’s what you need to know about what to include in the building plan.
What’s in a Residential Building Plan
A residential building plan will typically include the following:
- Exterior elevations
- Roof plans
- Floor plans
- Foundation and basement plans
- Cross-section plans
- Electrical plans
Exterior elevation plans are 2-D representations of each side of your house. These plans include the materials that your walls and roof will be made from. These plans will also give you a good sense of the height and width of your house. Usually, designers draw exterior elevations at a ¼” = 1’0″ scale.
A roof plan gives you an in-depth look at your roof’s slope, the material it will be made out of, and the ridges and valleys on the roof. The architect may also choose to include the roof’s rafters in the drawing.
The floor plan gives a detailed, in-depth look at each room in your house. It shows the size and scale of the rooms, and it also gives an aerial view of the appliances and cabinets in each room. You can also add in furniture arrangements and electrical elements. The floor plan will give you a great sense of what your house will look like once construction is finished.
The foundation plan shows the structural beams in the base of your house. Architects will also usually include notes about the stairs, bearing walls, concrete walls, posts, pads, and footing. If you’re planning on having a basement in your house, this will also be included in the foundation plan.
The cross-section plan shows how all the pieces of your house will fit together. It will show pieces of the foundation of your house. It also shows different sections of the interior walls, exterior walls, stairways, and roof. The plans may also show enlarged, detailed versions of your floor and roof.
Some architects may include a separate electrical plan in your house blueprints. This plan shows how the wiring will run in your house. It will also give you an idea of where the lighting fixtures and outlets will be in each room.
Creating a Residential Building Plan
A residential building plan is a vital tool for anybody who’s planning on building a new home. If you’re ready to begin creating your home, research different architects or designers who work in your area. Our experienced home contractors at Dirt Connections have built homes across Northern Virginia of just about every style imaginable, so give us a call and begin the process of creating your dream home.