From Preliminary Home Design to Construction

Task 1 – Preliminary Home Design [floor plan, elevations, roof plan, site plan]

Task 2 – CAD Design Development – [all sheets]

Task 3 – Energy Calculations & Mechanical Design [optimizing your HVAC]

Task 4 – Structural Engineering [signed and sealed]

Task 5 – Coordinate [Builder, Truss Mfg., Energy Calcs, Structural Engineer, Follow up Site Visits]

The Five Tasks to Custom Home Design

“Can I build from a set of stock plans?” Is a question I’m often asked. The answer depends on where the home will be built and the specific local permitting office and builder. For many localities and certainly here in Florida, structural engineering is required in addition to the set of stock plans. In fact, stock plan buyers should always assume that their next dream home will require various engineering to obtain a building permit. The stock plan set should be regarded as a design set of plans, and before buying, it would not hurt to make an inquiry about what additional engineering services will be required. See “What’s In a Set of Plans.”

Why is this so?

For starters, I’ve heard builders in various parts of the country say, “I can build from a sketch on a napkin,” but that’s certainly not the case in South Florida where building codes are far more stringent. Building permit requirements can vary greatly from locality to locality and even more so around the country.

Often Energy Smart Home Plans customers want to build a custom designed home or one from our stock plans in SW Florida. So we’ve produced the Five Tasks to explain the services we offer, that simplify and expedite the process. We design the home, and can oversee the engineering, permitting and provide construction coordination. Note: Tasks 3, 4 and 5 are only available to local SW Florida customers.

The Five Tasks begins with Preliminary Home Design (Task 1) then CAD – Design Development (Task 2) or a “Truss Set.” Note: Task 1 and Task 2 is included in every ESHP stock set of plans.

The Five Tasks graphic continues describing Task 3, the mechanical engineering for Florida’s energy code compliance as well as the HVAC system design we strongly recommend for customers who seek a super energy-efficient home.

Task 4 is required to obtain a building permit and Energy Smart Home Plans works closely with several local engineers to create a “permit ready,” set of plans.

Task 5 includes coordination of the truss, mechanical and structural engineering. We expedite the permitting process by assembling these trades and answer all questions and/or rejections until the building permit is granted. Task 5 also includes site visits at critical junctures during the building process, a service much appreciated by Energy Smart Home Plans’ customers! We work with a number of excellent, local Hi-Performance builders but are also happy to work with yours.

Energy Smart Home Plans makes simple the permitting process, leaving just the fun decisions to our customers; choosing flooring, cabinetry, counter tops, paint color and fixtures! We think that’s just the way it should be.