Is Your House Design or Home Plan Legal?

If you are planning to build a new home please, by all means be sure that your house design or home plan is legal for YOU to build. When I say “legal” I’m referring to the fact that a “home plan license” or “license to build” is required….just like a license to drive or license to hunt. How did you get your house plan? Did you have a local draftsperson or architect design for you? It is a common misunderstanding that it is okay to redraw a plan or make changes on a plan you find in a book, website or even from a constructed home. If you find a home plan that you like, you must purchase a set of plans from the original plan designer or an authorized source. It is crucial that you have a legal set of plans, so be sure to learn the facts before you begin the planning process. For more info search Federal Copyright Law or contact us if you have questions at 870-931-5777 or info@nelsondesigngroup.com.

Include the Cost of Window Coverings in Your New Home Mortgage!

Most folks don’t consider the cost of window coverings until they move into their new home. This cost can be included into a monthly mortgage payment, from what we understand.

Imagine moving in to your new home complete with custom coverings; instead of living in a fish bowl until you have the extra money to order your new blinds. Including the price of a typical window and door covering package into a new mortgage may increase a typical monthly mortgage payment by about $4 - $9 per month, depending on the type you choose. Now doesn’t it make more sense to include this necessity into your house payment?

Remember to shop online for your window coverings to save the most dollars. We have a ton of resources and are happy to hold your hand during this wonderful new home venture! Call us for more info - 870-931-5777 or email info@nelsondesigngroup.com!

Home Design House Plan Search…

Are your eyes burning from going through house plans galore on your computer? Don’t give up if you aren’t finding the right home plan. Remember, if you enter too much information in the boxes on our NDG plan search page you may be limited to fewer designs. For example, if you want a 3rd car garage bay just leave that box blank because we can always expand a garage size. Although we have one of the most user-friendly home design search pages it’s still a little tricky. Call us and we’re happy to assist you in finding The Perfect Home Plan ! 800-590-2423 or email info@nelsondesigngroup.com.

Your Window Choice is Vital!

Be sure that you spend as much time choosing your windows as you do picking out countertops and paint colors. These will NOT save you money nor give you a monthly savings. Invest more on the front end on things that really matter such as products that WILL save you dollars each month. What brand you choose is vital especially if your plan has a lot of windows such as NDG-606 Take time to research and ask a whole lot of questions about different types and brands. There are tax credits available which can help you upgrade to a better product for energy efficiency. Ask your friends that have recently built a new home what windows they chose and why. They’ll rave about them or complain and possibly get a little upset…then apologize for bringing up a sore subject. Hey, what are friends for?

I Need a House With a Mud Room!

Wow! I’ve never seen so much snow! It’s not a problem leaving the house but it is when you return. Chances are your entry is a mess right now like mine! One thing I hear so often when I’m assisting someone with their new homeplan is “I need a mud room!” I hear ya sister! This really isn’t a big deal to achieve but takes a little bit of creativity. We have more than 1,000 house plans and many of them have adequate space in the garage-to-house entry area. This can give a homeowner many options for “unloading” such as our new house design NDG-1339  (from our Heritage Collection of craftsman-style). In this particular design, you’ll see a larger entry and storage room that can easily transform to a “wet” or “mud” room (be sure to plan for a drain). Of course, we can make changes to our plans so be sure to call us if you have ideas or need direction– 800-590-2423. We’re always available!

A home plan purchase gives you a “license to build” that design.

Tell me what happens when a hunter is caught without a valid hunting license. This is widely known as unlawful and the consquences can be extremely severe. The same goes for building a new house without a “home plan license” which is unlawful and protected by U.S. Copyright Law. A home plan purchase gives you a “license to build” that design. There MUST be a house plan license in place before the new construction begins. This license should be considered a very important element for that construction project.

Many builders and individuals take a plan book or internet print out to a local draftsman or architect to have it “redrawn” with minor or major changes. Some folks believe that if a plan is changed a certain percentage it isn’t infringement. WRONG! We still don’t know where this idea originated. THIS IS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. There are parties throughout the US that go from city to city, town to town and one permit department to another checking home plans on file; past and present This is all public record and easily accessible. They also drive around new subdivisions to locate new construction; from small homes to high-end custom. A phone call is made and when there is no “license” in place they proceed with collection. Believe me, they have an interest and are paid very well for finding “infringements”. FYI -Willful infringement court penalties are up to $150,000 plus loss of profits and attorney fees.One infringement can put a builder out of business and if applicable affect the homeowner and possibly other institutions related to that project. The last thing we want to see is one of our builders sued for Federal Copyright Infringement because he or she built a house without a home plan “license to build”. This is the case throughout the country with builders who build from a surplus set of house plans, from a book, an internet print or simply walking through a house with no plans at all. You don’t want to be involved in a U.S. Copyright lawsuit; which is a very serious situation. If you have questions feel free to contact us at 870.931.5777.

Good Morning Laundry!

Builders - are you aware that millions of women are waking up each morning and going straight to the laundry room to finish some business? Seriously, when I get up each morning, even before I start my coffee (top priority) I take the clothes out of the dryer and load the next to dry. What’s my point? Well, no matter what size home you build as a spec, please try to add just a couple of feet for a folding counter or closet storage; for obvious reasons. This can actually be the tie-breaker between your home and another when someone is comparing other new or existing homes with the same criteria. There are many modest house plans that have great laundry rooms such as NDG 282.

Now ladies - If you are looking for a home design with an elaborate laundry room check out NDG 403 or NDG 265 with a laundry chute.

by Steph Nelson

Free Ground Shipping And $100 Instant Savings

We are happy to offer free ground shipping on house plan orders for a limited time!  You can also receive $100 instant savings by completing the survey on our home page.  Since 1985 when we began sketching floor plans and creating custom  blueprints for home buyers, it has been our mission to continually improve our home plan design products and our growing menu of services for both the consumer and the builder. You can search over 1000 house plans online at our website www.nelsondesigngroup.com, where your dream home is waiting!

New House Plan NDG-1281

New House Plan NDG-1281 features a beautiful brick exterior, with an entry foyer, 10’ Boxed Ceilings on several rooms, spacious master suite and master bath, kitchen with breakfast room, and my favorite a rear grilling porch.  This house also features a 22 x 24-10 front entry garage.

NDG Real Estate Agent Program

Once you are our Real Estate Agent Partner (REAP), you will be listed as a Preferred Real Estate Professional on our NDG website under “Find A Real Estate Agent”. You’ll soon R.E.A.P. the Rewards!

Any Questions? Contact one of our Home Plan Specialists by calling 870.931.5777 or via email - info@nelsondesigngroup.com.