While the contents of each blueprint package vary slightly, each contains detailed, high-quality working drawings that show you exactly how your project is to be built. Your plan package may include the following:
1. Detailed Floor Plans
Detailed floor plans show the layout of each floor of the house. Rooms and interior spaces are carefully dimensioned, doors and windows located, and keys are given for cross-section details provided elsewhere in the plans.
2. Exterior Elevations
In addition to the front exterior, your blueprint set may include drawings of the rear and sides of your house. These drawings give notes on exterior materials and finishes. Particular attention is given to cornice detail, brick and stone accents or other finish items that make your home unique.
3. Front Perspective
The artist's sketch of the exterior of the house gives you an idea of how the house will look when built and landscaped.
4. Foundation Plans
This sheet shows the foundation layout including concrete walls, footings, pads, posts, beams, bearing walls, and foundation notes. If the home features a basement, the first floor framing details may also be included on this plan. If your plan features slab construction rather than a basement, the plan shows footings and details for a monolithic slab. This page, or another in the set, may include a sample plot plan for locating your house on a building site. Additional sheets focus on foundation cross-sections and other details.
5. House and Detailed Cross-Sections
Large-scale views show sections or cutaways of the foundation, interior walls, exterior walls, floors, stairways, and roof details. Additional cross-sections may show important changes in floor, ceiling, or roof heights, or the relationship of one level to another. These sections show exactly how the various parts of the house fit together and are extremely valuable during construction. Additional sheets may include enlarged wall, floor, and roof construction details.
6. Floor Structural Supports
Floor framing details come with plans that have basement and/or crawlspace foundations. Each includes spacing, direction, span, and specifications for floor joists. Beam and window headers, along with necessary details for framing connections, stairways, or dormers are also included.