The Real Cost of Plan Books and Online House Plans: What 40 Years Has Taught Us
In today’s world, you can download a set of house plans faster than you can order a coffee. Thousands of websites promise “ready-to-build” plans for a few hundred dollars — complete with glossy renderings, square footage, and a tagline that says “Build your dream home for less.”
After forty years and over 400 built projects, Facet Architecture has witnessed the real costs that follow these shortcuts — costs that rarely appear in the price tag.
The Myth of the “Ready-to-Build” Plan
Plan-book drawings are designed to look good on paper, but they are not intended for your property, your budget, or your local building codes.
Every site is different — the slope, soils, setbacks, zoning, and utilities all affect what can actually be built. What looks perfect for a flat suburban lot in Texas can be unbuildable on a Carolina hillside or a coastal flood zone.
When homeowners or builders try to adapt these plans, the “savings” disappear fast:
Engineers must redesign the foundations.
Contractors must redraw details to comply with the code.
Permitting officials require revised documents.
And when construction begins, change orders pile up — each one a costly surprise.
What Full-Service Architecture Actually Saves You
A full set of documents from Facet Architecture goes far beyond drawings — it’s a coordinated roadmap.
We design for you, not just at you. That means:
Site analysis, grading, and code compliance are built into the design.
Energy efficiency, material selections, and detailing suited to the local climate.
Integrated MEP coordination that prevents field conflicts before they happen.
A realistic budget aligned with real construction costs, not internet wishful thinking.
What clients discover is that a tailored, permit-ready design doesn’t cost more — it prevents costly mistakes.
The Facet Difference: Four Decades of Building Reality
With over four decades of practice across the Southeast, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Our experience allows us to create modern, efficient homes and retreats that fit the land, the code, and the people who live there — not a “universal” plan that fits no one perfectly.
Ultimately, your home is not a download. It’s one of the most significant investments of your life.
The real savings come from getting it right the first time.
Facet Retreat - Fishing Cabin - Horse Shoe Creek, Ashe Co. NC
