2007-06-18 - What should be included in a set of plans?
Different project require different plans and drawings.  This is not a comprehensive list, because not every project will require all of these plans and some complicated project may require more plans. Read more on what should be included in a set of plans...

Different project require different plans and drawings.  This is not a comprehensive list, because not every project will require all of these plans and some complicated project may require more plans.  However, this list is a good starting  point:

Foundation Plan, Framing Plan, Floor Plans, Roof Plan, Interior elevation drawings, Exterior elevation drawings (showing all four sides of the home), Cross section drawings, Detail Drawings, Window and door schedules (showing sizes, quantities and sometimes their part numbers), Schematic drawings for electrical (showing suggested locations for fixtures, outlets, switches, and wiring runs), Schematic drawings for plumbing (showing locations for all plumbing fixtures), Basic specifications.
Additional plans may include a grading plan, and a landscape plan.

Why are some plans more expensive than others?
Because the designers' copyrights have been lifted, reproducible plans cost a bit more than regular blueprints. Without a copyright, unlimited copies can be made of the plans for construction of a single home. Vellums can be flipped over before copying to create a mirror-reverse set that can be used to build a home in the opposite orientation from the one shown in the original floor plan.