FAQ

Why Ready-to-Build?

Ready-to-build is a great option for clients for whom traditional custom design is cost- or time-prohibitive. Select an existing home plan that works for you, then make minor modifications to achieve a home perfectly suited to your needs, while saving months of design time + costs over traditional custom design.

Why Arbor Plans?

Architect-Designed – Arbor Plans is a branch of custom residential architecture firm Restructure Studio, each Arbor Plans set includes the same level of thought, planning and attention-to-detail that goes into our custom residential work.

Ready-to-Build – plan sets have been pre-reviewed by one of our trusted General Contractors to ensure the best build experience

Sustainably Designed – plan sets come with a Green Building Guide to help you and your contractor make informed decisions that will increase the quality, healthfulness and sustainability of your new home.

Furthermore, our plan specifications have been pre-reviewed by Austin Energy’s Green Building to get you started on the right path toward Green Building compliance.

What is an ADU?

ADU stands for “Accessory Dwelling Unit”, a second small dwelling that is located on the same property as an existing single-family home, but unattached to the principal structure. Sometimes called a “Granny Flat” or Backyard Studio”, ADUs are often seen as a small house on a foundation in the backyard that can be used to house an extended family member or rented out for extra income. Our ADUs can be used in conjunction with an existing home or as a stand alone tiny home.

What is Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB)?

Austin Energy Green Building has led the way in Austin’s quest for sustainability.  AEGB’s mission is to lead the transformation of the building industry to a sustainable future.  They do this by shaping city policies and energy codes, along with raising public awareness and creating demand for sustainable building practices.  AEGB was the first Green Building Program in the country and is still the largest and most successful.

Can I have my home Austin Energy Green Building-Rated?

Homeowners in the Central Texas region can have their sustainable building efforts acknowledged by working with AEGB to meet basic requirements for a 1 Star rating or earn up to a 5 Star rating by implementing additional measures.  The rating process requires home inspection during construction and testing by a qualified, independent third-party.  Find out more about the AEGB program here.

Can I have my home Austin Energy Green Building-Rated if I live outside of Central Texas?

While AEGB Rating is currently only available in the Central Texas region, rest assured that AEGB’s rigorous standards can be applied to homes throughout Texas to create a successful, sustainable home that is:

• Comfortable and energy-efficient
• Water smart
• Durable and easy to maintain
• Healthy and safe
• Valuable to future buyers

What is the Green Building Guide?

We believe that ethical, healthy and sustainable home design should be accessible to all.  Each Arbor Plans set includes specifications that denote wellness and sustainability features right in the drawings.  Additionally, you will receive a “Green Building Guide” to walk you through the process:

• How to select a “green” contractor
• Instructions to help you and your contractor achieve a green home
• Tips, tricks and resources for building an efficient home
• Recommendations for selecting resource- and energy-efficient fixtures & finishes
• Information about working with AEGB to get a Green Building rated home

I’ve never built a home before—I may need some experienced help…

We know that building a home can be a daunting task. For that reason, Arbor Plans offers Consulting Services at an hourly rate to provide you the support you need. Whether it is recommendations on how to site your new home or additional detail drawings for your builder, we’re here to help.

Can I make changes to the design?

Absolutely!  We understand that you want choices when it comes to designing a home.  For that reason, we offer a variety of sizes and styles with the ability to easily swap out materials and make changes to fit your needs.  Arbor Plans allows you to make minor design changes to your plan directly with the Architect or Designer for an upfront, fixed fee based on our regular hourly rate of $160/hr.

Please send your questions and customization requests to info@arbor-plans.com.  One of our team members will get in touch with you to discuss your changes and provide a timeline and cost estimate.

What is the process for making changes to my plan?

The process for making modifications is simple:

1. Choose the home plan that best fits your needs and select the “Initial Consultation” option at checkout (+$100)
2. Review the design carefully (take time and lots of notes!) List or draw the changes you would like to make and email to info@arbor-plans.com
3. A team member will contact you to discuss your changes and provide a timeline and estimate of costs based on our hourly rate of $160/hr.
4. Once you return the approved estimate, we’ll get started making your changes!
5. The modified design will be sent to you by email on or before the agreed upon completion date so you can begin pricing your new home!

What is included in my purchase?

Cover Sheet with Title, Area Calculations + Renderings

General Notes, Disclaimers, Symbols + Legend

Dimensioned Floor Plans, Roof Plan

Finish + Power Plans

Reflected Ceiling Plans (RCP)

Building Elevations

Typical Wall Sections

Window + Door Schedule, Details

Interior Selections Schedules + Elevations

Stair Detail Sheet, if applicable

Presentation Plans with finishes, possible furniture arrangements, room areas and ceiling heights

3D renderings

Green Building Guide

 

What is the process of building from plans?

1. Obtain a property on which to build
2. Select the home plan that best suits your individual needs
3. Choose to make modifications to your home plan (or not)
4. Gain financing for the construction of a house (if applicable) – our plans can be used as-is for financing decisions by your bank
5. Hire a good General Contractor to help determine whether additional professionals might be required for your project
6. At a minimum, you’ll need a survey, but we also recommend a site analysis to help you determine the best positioning of your home on the property
7. Determine the position of your home on the property. Consider existing conditions, including:

• Weather
• Soil
• Topography
• Property lines
• Utilities and required setbacks (easements determined by the City)
• Direction of the sun
• Direction of prevailing breezes
• Trees

(Or hire us to do this for you—we’re happy to provide you an upfront-estimate of what it will cost to accomplish)

8. Get permitted
9. Begin construction

 

 

What other professionals will I need to hire for the building of my home?

In order to get started, you’ll need a current survey (completed in the last 12 months), a general contractor and a structural engineer.  Depending upon the location of your site and local code, you may also need a MEP (mechanical, electrical & plumbing) engineer, civil engineer and/or a geotechnical engineer.

Arbor Plans are complete home designs that fully comply with State of Texas Regulations and the International Residential Code.  However, before permitting and construction can begin, your home plans will need to be adapted for the specific site on which you plan to build, as well as local codes, zoning requirements and building regulations.  Arbor Plans is happy to work with you on an hourly basis to meet these requirements or you can choose to consult with another local architect or structural engineer.

 

 

Will my plans come stamped/sealed for permitting and construction?

We strive to offer the most complete set of home plans available, however any set of home plans you purchase online will need to be adapted to the specific site and made to comply with local codes, zoning requirements and building regulations before they can be stamped/sealed.

We, at Arbor Plans, would love to work with you to adapt your home plans to the site and local code.  This is offered as part of your Arbor Plans purchase at no additional charge, or use a structural engineer or the architect of your choice to adapt your plans to site and local code.

 

How much will my Arbor Plans home cost to build?

Construction costs vary considerably depending upon your location, the contractor and the finishes you select.  Get a general idea of costs per square foot by calling general contractors in your area.  Once you receive your plan set, it contains the information your general contractor will need to provide a price estimate.

All of Arbor Plans home plan sets are protected by copyright, wholly owned by Arbor Plans. Purchasing a plan set provides you license to build a single home based on those plans.

Can I reproduce my plans set?

You may make as many digital and print copies of plan drawings as needed to complete construction of a single home. Distribution of copies is limited to the builder/general contractor and building officials required for that project.

Can I build this design more than once?

Only one home may be built from each license purchased.

Can I purchase multiple plans for use in a development project?

Arbor Plans sets are intended for individuals for their own personal use.  If you would like to discuss options for repeat licensing, please contact info@arbor-plans.com

How (and when) will I receive my plans?

Digital PDFs of your design will be sent within 1-2 business days to the email address you provided at checkout. The provision of digital designs is intended to minimize paper waste and allow you to print as many or as few copies as required.

If you choose to make modifications with Arbor Plans, you will receive your revised plans via email on or before the date agreed upon during Initial Consultation.

Can I return plans for a refund if I decide not to build?

All sales of Arbor Plans designs are final and non-refundable.

What are Arbor Plans Interiors Packages?

Arbor Plans Interior Packages can be purchased as an add-on option for clients who want the most complete, most sustainable home design available; or it can be used standalone to sustainably update the finishes in an existing home or remodel. Select from one of four styles: Cosmopolitan, Industrial, Modern and Contemporary. Within each style option, we provided selections, quantities and sources for the fixtures and finishes that attach to the house (for example cabinetry, flooring, lighting and plumbing fixtures). We use our custom residential design experience to recommend brands, models and product lines that help meet Austin Energy Green Building’s stringent efficiency requirements.

What’s included in Arbor Plans Interiors Packages?

Arbor Plans Interiors Packages include specifications, quantities and sources for those fixtures and finishes which are attached to the house, including:

• Cabinetry
• Light fixtures
• Plumbing fixtures
• Flooring
• Paint

Furniture pieces are not included in the Interiors Package, but we’re happy to recommend an Interior Designer to build on these packages.

Can I purchase an Arbor Plans Interiors Package without purchasing home plans?

Absolutely–Arbors Plans Interiors Packages can be applied to any home, not just our home plan designs.  You will receive specifications and sources for all of the fixtures and finishes listed above.  The only difference is quantities will not be listed.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to email us at info@arbor-plans.com