How to Choose a House Plan

The options are nearly endless. Stock house plans are filled with possibilities, individual options, and even the ability to customize the plan and make it your own. With such an array of possibilities, how does one decide which specific house to build? Or even start narrowing it down? Let us help with a simple guide…

Deciding on a House Plan

Here are just a few tips for narrowing down your options and selecting a plan:

• Start by confirming your lot size. Lot size will help determine which house actually fits into your existing lot.

• Continue by discussing local building codes with your general contractor or builder. They will be able to help you navigate this process. At times, building codes may restrict the number of feet from the property line you may build your house. Additionally, codes may have restrictions for your homes, such as the number of stories, certain features, etc.

• Once you’ve discovered your local building codes, lot size, and restrictions, start to explore house plans! As your journey begins, get a feel for how much square footage you would like and how many stories would fulfill your family’s needs. Explore the option of a basement. Is this something your family would want or need? Once you start to get an idea, try to find the minimum and maximum square footage you would prefer; this will help throughout your search. 

• Begin narrowing down your search by your desired layout. Some possible features may include the master bedroom remaining on the first floor, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms desired, the laundry room’s location, the number of garage bays desired, the existence of a porch—and even the type of porch—and many other features. Decide what is most important to you, and narrow your search as you see fit.

• Ponder what other features you may need in your home. Will you need a kitchen island? Do you prefer an open floor plan? Is a mudroom a must-have? Will a bonus room fit your layout? Would you need an elevator for accessibility? The options are endless; you can filter these features and more with our search filter tool, which is listed on the right-hand side of each collection page. 

• Continue narrowing it down by deciding upon the style of homes you most enjoy. Are you drawn to Craftsman homes? Modern Farmhouse? Do you live in a particular area of the country where certain styles are very popular? Deciding upon the style of home you want will help tremendously in your house plan search.

• Remember, as your search for your dream house plan continues, every house plan in our collection can be modified through our Modification Services. If you find the “perfect” house plan but it’s missing the final touch, such as a bonus room, additional square footage, a walk-in pantry, etc. you can request to make changes with our Modifications team! We want your home to be exactly what your family wants and needs. Find more information about how the customization process works here.

• Consider the neighborhood where you plan to build. Does your home fit into its surroundings? The look and feel should remain consistent, particularly if there is a chance you may need to sell eventually.

• Looking for additional help? Contact us! At America’s Best House Plans, we are here for you! We would love to help you decide on a plan from our site. Our website has over 20,000 high-quality plans, which can get overwhelming when deciding upon just one. We are here for you—give us a call, and we will help you with your search.