Choosing the right level of architectural plans is one of the most important decisions you'll make when building a custom home in the Texas Hill Country. At Riverside Home Designs, we offer three distinct plan levels to match your project's scope, budget, and permitting requirements. Whether you're building in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, or anywhere in the surrounding Hill Country, our Certified Professional Building Designer James Kenalty will help you select the architectural drafting package that's right for your needs. Use the comparison table below to understand exactly what's included in each plan level.
| Feature / Item | Builders Set | Full Architectural (No Engineering) |
Full Architectural (With Engineering) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Documentation | |||
| Cover Page with Index of Drawings & Scope of Work | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Floor Plans & Elevations | |||
| Floor Plans (Fully Dimensioned) | ✓ Fully dimensioned | ✓ Fully dimensioned | ✓ Fully dimensioned |
| Second Floor & Bonus Room (Fully Dimensioned) | ✓ Fully dimensioned | ✓ Fully dimensioned | ✓ Fully dimensioned |
| Exterior Elevations (4 sides) | ✓ Complete | ✓ Complete | ✓ Complete + additional |
| Interior Elevations | Optional (add'l fee) | Optional (add'l fee) | Optional (add'l fee) |
| Furniture Layout | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Technical Drawings | |||
| Cross Sections & Details | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ Expanded |
| Roof Plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Door & Window Schedules | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Systems (MEP) | |||
| Electrical Plans | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing Plans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Framing Plans | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HVAC (Space & Access Only) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Structural & Engineering | |||
| Foundation Plan | ✗ | ✓ Unsealed | ✓ With engineering seal |
| Structural Plans | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Load paths, bracing |
| Engineering Seal | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Site & Compliance | |||
| Site Plan | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Requires survey |
| Specifications (Materials & Codes) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accessibility Compliance | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ If required |
| Best Used For | |||
| Recommended Use | Experienced builder or contractor homeowner | Budgeting, HOA review, permitting, Construction | Permit-ready, build-ready package |
Understanding Your Options
Builders Set of Plans
The Builders Set is designed for use by an experienced contractor or a homeowner who plans to rely on direct communication with their builder to clarify many of the construction details. This package includes all essential layout information, fully-dimensioned floor plans, and a basic plumbing plan—providing the key elements needed to explore your design and convey the overall intent of the project. However, it does not include the full technical documentation typically required to build a home, such as foundation plans, structural details, electrical plans, framing plans, roof framing, or cross sections.
Typical page count: 8 to 10 architectural pages
Full Architectural – No Engineering
Our Full Architectural package provides a comprehensive set of construction drawings suitable for advanced budgeting, HOA architectural review, and permitting in most jurisdictions. This package includes complete, fully-dimensioned floor plans, roof plans, furniture layout, exterior elevations on all four sides, cross sections and construction details, electrical plans, plumbing plans, framing plans, door and window schedules, and detailed material and building-code specifications. This package also includes an unsealed concrete foundation plan prepared specifically for engineer review. Pier-and-beam foundation design is not included but can be added for an additional fee. Interior elevations may also be added as an optional upgrade. While the Full Architectural package does not include an engineering seal or a site plan, it provides the detailed architectural documentation needed for most planning, design-review, and construction purposes. Color renderings can also be provided to help visualize the finished home and its exterior appearance with landscaping. Not included but can be added for an additional fee.
Typical page count: 10 to 15 architectural pages
Full Architectural – With Engineering
Our Full Architectural With Engineering package is our most comprehensive offering, providing everything included in the Full Architectural package plus full structural engineering services. This is a complete, permit-ready and build-ready package for custom home construction in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, and throughout the Texas Hill Country. This package includes complete, fully-dimensioned floor plans, roof plans, furniture layout, exterior elevations on all four sides (with additional elevations for courtyards or concealed areas as needed), expanded cross sections and construction details, electrical plans, plumbing plans, framing plans, door and window schedules, and detailed material and building-code specifications. Engineering services include a structurally sealed concrete foundation plan, a complete site plan (owner-provided survey required), and full structural plans including load paths, bracing requirements, and any additional engineering notes required for permitting. No pier-and-beam foundation design is included in this package; however, pier-and-beam design can be added for an additional fee. Color renderings can also be provided to help visualize the finished home and its exterior appearance with landscaping. Not included but can be added for an additional fee
Typical page count: 18 to 22 architectural pages
Which Plan Level Is Right for You?
The right plan level depends on where you are in your building journey and the requirements of your local permitting authority. If you're an experienced builder or homeowner who plans to work closely with your builder on details, the Builders Set provides the essential layout information needed to explore your design and convey your intent. If you're ready to move forward with detailed planning, budgeting, and HOA review but don't yet need engineering, the Full Architectural package provides comprehensive documentation. When you're ready to pull permits and break ground, the Full Architectural with Engineering package delivers everything you need—engineered plans, site plan, and structural details—for a smooth permitting process and construction start.
Not sure which level you need? Contact Riverside Home Designs for a free consultation. With over 40 years of experience designing custom homes in the Texas Hill Country, we'll help you choose the right architectural drafting package for your project.