Providing Exceptional & Timeless House Plans for Generations
All house plans, images, and content on this site are protected under United States copyright laws. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of these materials in any form without expressly written permission is strictly prohibited.
When selecting a house plan, understanding your reproduction and modification rights is crucial. We recommend purchasing PDF, CAD, or our Most Popular All-inclusive house plan package. These formats come with a license allowing you to print unlimited copies for your personal use including sharing with builders and contractors, making your home-building process more efficient. Printed sets are also available; however, they typically limit the number of physical copies. For projects requiring customization, the CAD purchase or our All-Inclusive packages are ideal, as they allow licensed modifications.
Every house plan, image, and piece of content on our website is protected under United States copyright law. These rights are enforced by the House Plan Marketing Association and prohibit reproduction, distribution, or modification without written permission. Just like books, songs, or movies, these works cannot be copied or altered unlawfully.
Redrawing or tracing a floor plan from a website, publication, or even an existing home is illegal. Making changes to a copyrighted design does not void the designer’s rights. To legally use a plan, you must purchase it from an authorized source. The right to modify is exclusive to the copyright holder unless explicitly licensed to you.
Most house plan purchases include a license to build one home. Purchasing multiple printed sets does not grant permission to build multiple houses. If you wish to build the design more than once, inquire about purchasing an unlimited-use license (available on select plans) or paying a re-use fee, which varies by designer. Always confirm the allowed use before proceeding.
Hard copies such as blueprints or black-line prints may not be copied or reproduced without express written consent from the copyright owner. Copy shops and print services are prohibited from duplicating them. To legally print more sets, purchase a PDF plan with an included print license or request additional sets from the designer.
Plans may only be redrawn or structurally altered if you’ve purchased a license that allows such
modifications, typically available through CAD, PDF, our All-inclusive house plan packages. Redlining (minor
handwritten markups) is usually acceptable. However, structural changes or redrawing from
scratch without proper licensing is a violation of copyright. Modified plans cannot be reused or
resold.
Even if you’re licensed to modify a plan, your new version remains protected under the original designer’s copyright. You may not resell, distribute, or build more than one home from a modified design unless explicitly allowed. Also, once modified, all warranties and liabilities from the original designer are voided.
Anyone involved in a violation: homeowners, designers, builders, contractors, copy shops, or developers–may be held liable. Lack of knowledge is not a defense. Each party has a responsibility to verify licensing before using, sharing, or reproducing plans.
Contact our office or the plan’s copyright holder before proceeding. If you’re unsure about usage rights or need help understanding your license, ask. In some cases, rewards may be offered for reporting copyright infringement.
Violations can lead to severe consequences: statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, actual damages, loss of profits, and responsibility for legal fees. Don’t risk it, follow the law, honor the designer’s work, and purchase only from authorized sources such as our site.
These policies exist to protect both the homeowner and the designer. Choosing the correct plan package and following copyright law ensures a smooth, legal, and ethical homebuilding experience.
