The House Plan Shop Blog

Time is running out! Just 2 weeks left for The House Plans Shop’s special Facebook shipping promotion! Visit our Facebook Page and Like Us to find a special shipping promotion code for Facebook friends only.

Only until October 31st: The House Plan Shop is offering FREE Ground Shipping or $35.00 OFF Priority or Express Shipping on the initial sale of any blueprint package. Simply enter or mention the special promotional code you find on our Facebook page when you Like our page.

Tags: Facebook, Facebook friends, home plans, house plans, shipping, shipping discount, shipping promotion, The House Plan Shop

Visit The House Plan Shop’s Facebook Page and Like Us to receive a special shipping promotion code for Facebook friends only.

For the month of October only: The House Plan Shop is offering FREE Ground Shipping or $35.00 OFF Priority or Express Shipping on the initial sale of any blueprint package. Simply enter or mention the special promotional code you find on our Facebook page when you Like our page.

Tags: Facebook, Facebook friends, home plans, house plans, shipping, shipping discount, shipping promotion, The House Plan Shop

Last week the National Association of Home Builders released the fourth edition of Residential Construction Performance Guidelines. It is the most widely used reference in the building industry regarding how new homes should perform. The reference guide is available in a consumer version and a contractor version.

The contractor’s version of the fourth edition features:

·         New guidelines addressing efflorescence, deflection and water penetration

·         Remodeling-specific guidelines

·         A glossary

·         And much more

The consumer’s version helps consumers understand the basics of proper home buildings and how the home should perform during the warranty period.

Find out more about the newest edition of this handy building reference.

Tags: construction guidelines, residential construction, residential construction performance guidelines

Customers purchasing stock house plans often ask if their blueprints will include an electrical plan. In most cases, but not all, the floor plans will include a simple electrical plan. The electrical layout may be shown on a separate page in the construction drawings, or it might be shown on the floor plan page(s) of the blueprints. Stock house plans that do include a simple electrical plan will reflect suggested locations for outlets, switches and fixtures. However, they will not include a detailed wiring schematic showing exactly where to run the wiring, etc. The truth of the matter is all the electrical work in the new home must meet local building and electrical codes. It is up to the electrician working on the home to wire the house according to local electrical codes. It is also the electrician’s job to install the outlets, switches, fixtures and the electrical box in the proper places as designated by the electrical codes in place for the area, city, county or municipality where the house is being built.

For more information about what is included in a set of stock house plans, please review The House Plan Shop’s FAQs.

Tags: blueprints, electical layout, electrical plan, floor plans, home plans, house plans

Are you considering building a house? Are you shopping for house plans? If your family enjoys the water, sunbathing and exciting pool parties with friends and family, consider a house plan designed to make the most of a backyard swimming pool. Home plan websites such as The House Plan Shop, offer a variety of floor plans designed for maximum enjoyment of a pool. Below are a few points to consider about home floor plans fashioned with a pool in mind.

• House plans designed for a pool are often oriented with poolside views from the main level and the upper level. Larger windows or extra windows are positioned for the view. There is nothing like gazing out of the bedroom or breakfast room window first thing in the morning and seeing that sparkling blue water. Others enjoy the pool’s tranquil look at the end of a long day. The pool’s soothing calmness promotes relaxation no matter when you catch a glance of it from inside the house.
• Floor plans for poolside living commonly include features and elements designed to promote outdoor living and entertaining. Some home plans showcase extensive covered patios, open patios, lanais and terraces all leading up to the water’s edge. There is plenty of room for everyone to gather outdoors and enjoy a pool party and summertime barbecue. If you prefer to draw the outdoors in, consider pool house plans that incorporate glass sliders or folding glass doors that open the living areas of the home to the patio and pool. Summer kitchens are another feature frequently found with house plans designed for a pool. They are great for grilling and dining alfresco beside the water while delivering you and your guests a refreshing atmosphere in which to dine. Look for floor plans that offer pool houses or a cabana. They provide a place for guests to change clothes without tracking wet footprints throughout your home. Likewise house plans that include an interior bathroom with outdoor access to the pool or a separate bath positioned near the pool allow convenient restroom access while keeping your guests close to the pool instead of in your home. Pools require lots of “stuff” like chemicals, water toys, various floats, tools and a cover to keep the pool clean. Some house plans include a small utilitarian structure, like a shed, for pool storage keeping everything in a safe place and out of a child’s reach when not in use.
• If you’re looking for a healthier lifestyle, house plans designed for pools will encourage both exercise and relaxation for the whole family. If you have house plan designed for a pool, your family will be more likely to use the pool, have fun and get a fair amount of exercise because the pool is so convenient. If you have to drive to a neighborhood pool, you might be less likely to use it on a regular basis. With a house plan designed for a backyard pool, you’ll be able to swim whenever you desire even if it is just for a few minutes each day. And what better way to relax after a long day at work than to jump in the pool for a refreshing swim, float on a raft in the sun or enjoy a little family time with the kids?

If these ideas sound appealing to you, take some time to browse The House Plan Shop’s extensive collection of top selling house plans to find a floor plan designed for a backyard pool.

Tags: backyared pools, blueprints, home plans, house plans, pools, swimming, swimming pools