Frequently Asked Questions

Are the designs Copyrighted? (the legal stuff)

Yes they are! All of the home plans designed and sold by Creative Architects are protected under the Federal Copyright Laws. This means the designs and plans can not be reproduced without CA's permission. Purchase of a home plan allows you the licensee to build only one home from the plans and does not transfer the copyright or ownership in any way. The designs depicted on this web site or in any of our plan books are protected also. It is not legal to adapt, change or redraw the designs. These would be considered "derivative works" of the original which retain the copyright protection. To be safe purchase the plan / license. With the license you can then modify the plan for construction of one home. The Copyright Law exists to protect all parties and supports the intellectual property of the architect. It has been strengthened in past years. It allows for statutory damages up to $100,000 plus attorney fees, damages and loss of profit.

What do the plans include?

The typical plans include the following-

  1. 1/4" scale floor plan(s) with dimensions, notes and schedules
  2. 1/4" scale schematic electrical plan
  3. 1/8" scale roof plan
  4. 1/4" scale exterior elevations
  5. Detail sheet with wall sections, notes and details
  6. Cabinet elevations (some plans)
  7. Framing plans (some plans)

The typical plans do not include the following-

  1. Foundation plan - In many parts of the country the soils, like in the Dallas area, are not stable. We recommend that a structural engineer design a proper foundation based on a current soils report for your site.
  2. Material lists and take-offs.
  3. Specifications
  4. HVAC plans

What is a Study Set?

A Study Set is one full set of plans. This allows you to review the design in more detail. Your builder will also be able to give you a better idea of the construction costs by looking at a full set. The cost of the Study Set will be applied toward the purchase of the plan / license. The set will be marked "Preliminary - Not for Construction"

Can the plans be modified / changed?

Yes! There are 2 ways to have changes made to the plans:

  1. We at Creative Architects can make revisions to the plans. Once we know the extent of the changes via a phone conversation and or by you marking up a plan we can quote a price and time for the changes.
  2. Once you purchase the plan (license) you can have a local Architect make the changes. Reproducible's or DXF files are available. Check with your Architect for preference.

Can I order mirrored plans?

Yes! The plans can be reversed. Go to our How to Order page for detailed instructions and pricing. All text will be readable, not backwards.

How do I order the plans?

Go to our How to Order page for detailed instructions. We are using "PayPal" as our merchant services provider. This provides you with a secure way to order plans.

How is the Square Footage Calculated?

The air-conditioned square footage is figured to the outside of the brick or stud walls. Garages and future areas are figured the same way. In two story homes the stairs are only counted one time.