Do stock houseplans contain everything I need to build in the state of "INSERT HERE"?Written by Mark Mathis
One question that we receive almost every day is whether or not plan package for plan 1234 contains everything that a person would need to build home in state of "INSERT STATE/LOCATION HERE"... As such, we wanted to provide some additional information to clarify subject.
In most areas of country, these stock house plans will be everything you need to build, but not necessarily everything you need to obtain a building permit. In addition to house plans you order, you may also need a site plan that shows where house is going to be located on property. You might also need beams sized to accommodate roof loads specific to your region. Your home builder can usually help you with this. You may also need a septic design unless your lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. Many areas now have area-specific energy codes that also have to be followed. This normally involves filling out a simple form providing documentation that your house plans are in compliance. To find out what documents you should expect with your house plans, see WhatÂ’s Included? In some regions, there is a second step you will need to take to insure your house plans are in compliance with local codes. Some areas of North America have very strict engineering requirements. Examples of this would be earthquake-prone areas of California and Pacific Coast, hurricane risk areas of Florida, Gulf & Carolina Coasts. New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and parts of Illinois require review by a local professional as well. If you are building in these areas, it is most likely you will need to hire a state licensed structural engineer to analyze design and provide additional drawings and calculations required by your building department. If you arenÂ’t sure, building departments typically have a handout they will give you listing all of items they require to submit for and obtain a building permit.
| | Get Your RebatesWritten by David Catt
Publishing Guidelines: Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print as long as it is unedited and bylines at end are included. If published on web, url in resource box must be hyperlinked. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Thanks!The Litter Box by David Catt Get Your Rebates! ©2005 - David B. Catt - all rights reserved Why rebates? Why not just temporary reduced price like a sale? I am sure you have asked yourself this question many times. The answer is quite simple really. Some companies offering a rebate do not want to give you anything. They just want to lure you like a fish to bait. The bait is an imaginary price you will pay for product. The ad usually shows in BIG numbers this price and actual price in tiny numbers. Once you get their product home, they hope you will happy with price you think you paid and forget about it. Did you remember to pick up a rebate form? They hope not. Would you go back to get one - probably not. Some places are printing out rebate form with your sales receipt (applause!). Some companies put rebate form in with product. Watch rebate expiration date. Sometimes a product will sit on shelf too long and enclosed rebate will have expired. Ok, you have rebate form. READ IT! Read all of it - normal print, fine print, front and back. Look at offer expiration and "purchased between" dates. I got burned once buying an advertised rebate product a few days before rebate actually started. What you are required to send? My favorite is original sales receipt. What if you have purchased two items with rebates? What is processing time and a point of contact should you not receive your rebate check within that period? I suggest putting contact on calendar on last day as a reminder. If rebate does not have a phone number contact you stand a chance of getting burned. I have on three separate occasions. I suggest you go to rebate center at store and picking up rebate form and read it before making purchase.
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