You may need to modify your house plan for a variety of reasons. In most cases, this is significantly more cost-effective than hiring a professional to create an original house design. 

Depending on the changes, you may be able to avoid any additional design fees. Many minor modifications can be made by your builder without modifying the house plan. Minor to moderate changes range from $100 to $500. If you make extensive changes to a large house, you may spend a few thousand dollars. The average stock house plan cost is approximately $600. 

Custom house plans can cost as much as $3 per square foot of finished floor space. When you compare the total costs of modifying stock plans to creating original drawings, you're saving thousands of dollars. 

Avoiding Additional Design Fees

Many changes can be made during construction without modifying the house plan, saving you additional design fees. However, this is dependent on your local building codes and the flexibility of your local building department. Consult with your home builder to determine whether the changes you want to make are feasible without having the design modified. 

Available Options and Rates

Not all of our designers will make modifications. If they don't, however, they usually can provide a reproducible set or a CAD-file version so that a professional near you can make any modifications you need. 

To determine if a plan is modifiable, as well as what other plan set options are available, Click Power Search, go to the Search Results page of the house plan you're considering. Click View Plan Details. Go to the House Plan Options Available box on the right below the picture of the house. Each plan option is listed with its price. 

Our designers at House-plan.org charge $45 to $75 per hour to modify a house plan. Some charge a setup fee, but many do not. If you don't find the information you need, contact us, so we can discuss what options are available for the plan you want to purchase. In most cases, we can assist you with the modifications. 

The Average Costs of Modifications

Check with your builder and your building department for the common practices of your area. Discuss your changes with these professionals to determine whether your home can be built without modifying the house plan. 

No Fees

The following can often be changed without modifying the house plan, saving you additional design fees: 

Elimination of windows, fireplaces, false dormers 
Garage door locations 
Garage space from two stalls to three stalls 
Reconfiguration of kitchen cabinets and spaces for appliances 
Rearrangement of certain interior walls 
Ceiling heights 
Exterior surfaces (such as brick, siding, stucco) 
Exterior wall framing (for example, 2x4's to 2x 6's) 

Moderate Fees

The following can usually be changed for modest cost (approximately $100 to $500), depending on the total square footage, plus the cost of a reproducible plan set and designer setup fees (if any): 

Type of foundation 
Exterior wall framing 
Roof pitch 
Garage door locations 
Garage-stall elimination or addition 
Kitchen or bathroom layout 
Exterior surfaces (such as brick, siding, stucco) 
Ceiling heights 
Interior wall configuration 
Garage entrance from and/or to rear, front, or side 

Moderate to Expensive Fees

The following changes require additional design fees ranging from $500 to $3,000 or more, depending on the square footage of the house, plus the cost of a reproducible plan set: 

Exterior elevation style, that is, using the floor plan of one house and the exterior of another 
Elimination or addition of a room 
Extension of house width and/or depth 
Addition of bonus room over garage 
Expansion or reduction of usable square footage 

Quick and Easy Quotes

To obtain a quote for a specific modification, quickly and easily, print a copy of the floor plan from the Plan Details page. Mark the changes in black ink, and fax them to us at . Please indicate on the fax cover sheet whether to contact you by phone, fax, or e-mail. Please allow approximately five business days to receive your quote. 

NOTE: Modifications add delivery time and cost to the purchase of your stock house plan. 

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