License to Build / Construction Drawings

• Copyright License allowing construction one time at the specified address, and supporting activities. (unless otherwise specified on a multi-use license)
• Construction drawings and other documents.

• Allows construction one time at the specified address, and supporting activities, unless otherwise specified on a multi-use license. when purchased by a builder on a Builder Subscription, is also restricted to construction by or for that builder.
• Modifications by an architect or engineer licensed in your state, or an AIBD Certified Professional Building Designer within the Artform Home Plans network.
• Construction drawings by Modular, SIPS or Panelized manufacturer - In most cases we will work with your component home manufacturer.
• All release of cad files will require a copyright respect agreement signed by the receiving professional or buiness. We reserve the right to refuse access to any person or company. Please call to discuss prior to purchasing a home design.

FAQ - License to Build - Copyright License

What if I want my builder or a local designer to make changes? Or I want to make them myself? Can I get a CAD file? Can I get copyright license allowing these changes?

We only release cad files to licensed professionals. We only allow changes by licensed professionals and those within our network. You're welcome to include others in your design decisions.

If you need or want to have a professional licensed in your state on your team, we will gladly provide them with either the Chief Architect file or export the plans and elevations to the more common dwg format. Just put us in touch with them and we'll take care of the rest.

Customization included with your License to Build

• Your choice of slab, crawl space or full foundation (most plans, see Structural Notes for your design).
• Updating of plans to show any adjustments needed to the the foundation or footings to accommodate a sloping lot (requires participation of your builder).
• Updating of plans to reflect your chosen window brand. We send you preliminary drawings. You go shopping. You provide the quote list for your chosen brand from the store or sales rep. We update the plans.
• Minor interior changes, such as door types (pocket vs hinged etc) or showing a gas fireplace.

Required additional services

• If your construction site regularly has more snow than our base designs (50 psf), recalculating the beams and other members is a required upgrade.

FAQ - 50 psf? What does that mean?

It means the people who measure things have determined that your house needs to support 50 pounds per square foot of soggy snow. 50 psf is typical of Southern NH. Areas to the North may have more.

FAQ - How do I know if I need that?

We can look you up on published maps. Your code enforcement officer can also tell you.

Construction Documents

• Floor Plans at 1/4"=1'-0"- with dimensions, room square footages, and door & window symbols.
• Exterior Elevatons at 1/4"=1'-0" - with dimensions, material and detail keys, and door & window symbols.
• Roof configuration may be shown as a 3D with pitches noted, on the elevations, or a combination.
• Building Sections at 1/4"=1'-0", showing key heights and the relationship of parts, and showing typical components like insulation, sheathing etc (required by most building departments). Please note that materials may be called out by either their generic name or a brand name (ie "Tyvek", a brand name, or "Housewrap", the generic name). Both availability and suitability vary regionally. It is your responsibility to make final materials decisions, hence our recommendation to have a quality builder to advise you.
• Details at various scales, showing eave profiles and other exterior conditions. Where appropriate to the design, typical stair details, and attachment and railing details for decks will be included.
• Electrical Plans - showing smoke detectors, outlets, lights and switching in our typical configuration are provided upon request. These do not show detailed circuiting, which is normally done by the electrical contractor.
• Foundation Plan at 1/4"=1'-0" with dimensions, footings, posts, and masonry openings noted. Our designs have full foundations, unless it's noted otherwise in the description. Alternate foundation designs can be provided - call us to discuss options.
• Floor Framing Plans at 1/4"=1'-0" with beam and joist sizes.
• Roof Framing Plans at 1/4"=1'-0" with beam and rafter sizes for "stick framed" designs or portions of designs. Most of our designs are for 40 or 50 psf ground snow loads. Alternate framing can be provided - call us to discuss options. A few designs, or portions of designs, are for truss roofs, which are generally engineered by the truss manufacturer. In those cases the drawings will indicate that, and have schematic truss elevations showing height required at eave, pitch, etc.
• Plans are delivered as reproducible PDF file - allowing you to print what you need when you need it.

FAQ - License to Build - Construction Drawings

What's a PDF?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It's a type of computer file that virtually every blueprinter can use to print nice clean prints. You can also read the plans on your computer using the free Adobe® Reader

What if I just want paper prints?

We also send this same PDF file to our blueprinter. You call them up, tell them how many you want, they print and UPS your plans to you. You pay the printer directly at their standard rates.

I need the drawings "signed and sealed" by a licensed architect or engineer...

See Additional Services at right.