What's Included in a Set of Residential Plans?

More Than Just a Floor Plan

When people think about “house plans,” they usually picture a floor plan — a bird’s-eye view showing rooms and dimensions. That’s part of it, but a complete residential plan set includes a lot more. Here’s what I deliver on every project.

Construction Drawings

These are the documents your builder works from every day on the job site:

• Floor plans — dimensioned layouts showing every room, wall, door, window, and fixture
• Exterior elevations — views of all four sides of the building showing rooflines, siding, windows, trim, and finished grade
• Building sections — cut-through views showing how the building goes together from foundation to roof
• Construction details — close-up drawings of specific connections, flashing, insulation assemblies, and other critical points
• Wall sections — detailed views showing wall composition from inside to outside

I structure my drawings so they’re clean, well-organized, and easy for builders and framers to read on the job site. Builders have told me they prefer my plans because everything is where you’d expect it — clear dimensions, thorough notes, no clutter.

3D Renderings

Every project includes 3D views at no extra charge:

• Interior camera shots — see inside your home from different angles before it’s built
• Exterior renderings — see the finished home from the outside
• Full-color renderings — we can add landscaping, trees, and context to show the home on its site

Most lumber yards and some designers charge extra for 3D views, or don’t offer them at all. I include them because they help you make better decisions during the design process. It’s a lot easier to evaluate a kitchen layout when you can see it in 3D than when you’re looking at a flat floor plan.

Heat Calculations & Energy Compliance

Wisconsin has specific energy code requirements. Every project I deliver includes:

• Heat loss/gain calculations — sizing your heating and cooling system based on the actual design
• Energy compliance documentation — showing your home meets Wisconsin’s energy code
• Window and insulation specifications — U-factors, R-values, and performance ratings

This is paperwork that’s required for a building permit. A lot of individual designers skip this and tell the homeowner to get it done at the lumber yard — which means another cost and another delay. I include it in every project.

Wall Bracing Plans

Wisconsin building code requires wall bracing documentation. I provide wall bracing plans showing how the structure resists lateral forces (wind, for example). Again, this is something some designers push off to others. I handle it.

Permit-Ready Documentation

When I say “permit-ready,” I mean you can take my plan set to your local building department and submit it for permit without anything missing. No scrambling for additional paperwork. No going back to a lumber yard for the heat calc. It’s all there.

What This Means for You

The difference between getting a basic set of floor plans and getting a complete plan set is the difference between having more work to do and being ready to build. My deliverables are designed to get you from design to permit to construction without gaps.

If you’re wondering what a plan set would look like for your project, reach out. I’m happy to talk through the specifics.