What's included in a plan package, return policy questions, how to make changes to a plan and more are covered in this issue of Ask the Architect.

At Home with Donald A. Gardner is excited to bring you our newest column, Ask the Architect. Senior Architect/Portfolio Manager, Lex Stapleton AIA, answers your most commonly asked questions regarding home plans.

PLAN PACKAGE

What do I receive when I purchase a plan package?

Depending on which plan package you have purchased, you will receive a license to build—either a one-time use for bond (paper) set purchases or a multi-use license for vellum and CD purchases (this will be labeled on the outside of your package) — in addition to the construction drawings. The construction drawings include the front rendering, exterior and interior elevations, door and window schedules, necessary wall section/details, structural plan and one specifications outline. Heating/Air Conditioning layouts are not included. Consult a local mechanical contractor for systems suitable for local climate conditions.

RETURN POLICY

What if I want to return the plans?

Because plans are printed especially for you at the time you place your order, returns and refunds are not acceptable. If for some reason you find that the plan you purchased does not meet your needs, then you may exchange your plan within 60 days of the date of purchase. At the time of exchange, you will be charged a processing fee of 20 percent of the total amount of the original order plus the difference in price between the plans (if applicable) and shipping costs for the new plan. Reproducible vellums and AutoCAD CD’s cannot be exchanged. All original sets must be returned to us and authorization given before an exchange can take place. Please double-check your selection before ordering. We encourage you to learn the building codes for your area. If you have a builder in mind, show him the plan and determine what he will need to build the home and meet local building codes. Feel free to call our offices to discuss any concerns you may have before ordering.

BEST VALUE

What is a reproducible vellum and why do I want it?

It is your best value. Reproducible vellums are ideal if you intend to make changes to a plan or build it more than once. They allow qualified architects and engineers to modify the design without having to completely redraw the plans. We recommend you consult the professional making changes before purchasing. The purchaser is permitted to reproduce as many sets of plans as needed from the vellums.

HOW TO

How do I make changes to reproducible vellums?

1. Xerographic eradicator fluid such as Michlin film eradicating fluid applied per manufacturer directions.

2. A dark gray ink eraser in an electric eraser.

In some cases, depending on your building department’s policies, you may be able to modify the plans simply by adding notes on the drawings describing the changes or substitutions to be made. Doing this on the vellum set saves time, as opposed to marking up multiple sets, and guarantees that all your copies are the same. Where necessary, moderate erasures can be done on the vellums with an electric eraser using a gray ink eraser, or with Michlin film eradicating fluid. However, it can be difficult to completely remove the image from the vellum without damaging the paper surface, so this approach should be reserved for fairly small areas. For more extensive changes, a “cut and paste” method is usually a better approach, using an “intermediate” print in the process. For instance, if an area is to be substantially redrawn, you might tape a piece of white paper over it, or use white correction fluid, and have a new set of drawings created from that, providing a blank area with a fresh drafting surface. Or, you may be able to draw the changes on a separate opaque sheet, tape it over the affected area, and run your final set of drawings from that. In some cases, to make a “stretch,” it might make sense to literally cut the plan apart and move one part by the desired amount, taping it to a backup sheet, then connect the lines and create the final set of drawings. The approach that works best will depend on the nature of the change to be made.