What Are Builders Set Plans?
Builders Set Plans represent an affordable, streamlined approach to custom home design in the Texas Hill Country. Created by our AIBD-certified professional building designer (CPBD) with over 40 years of experience, this professional plan package includes all the essential construction drawings you need—without the additional technical documentation of our full architectural sets.
The Builders Set of Plans is an excellent choice if you're working with an experienced contractor who can handle many construction details through direct communication and field decisions. This package includes approximately 8 to 10 pages of detailed CAD (Computer-Aided Design) drawings, providing fully-dimensioned floor plans, roof layouts, exterior elevations, furniture layouts, and plumbing plans.
Why Choose Builders Set Plans?
- Cost-effective solution - More affordable than full architectural sets
- Fully-dimensioned CAD drawings - Professional CPBD-designed plans ready for construction
- Clear layout information - All essential design elements clearly communicated
- Ideal for experienced contractors - Works best with builders comfortable making field decisions
- Perfect for Hill Country custom homes - Designed for Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne area building
What's Included vs. What's Not: The Builders Set includes floor plans, roof layouts, elevations, and plumbing plans. However, it does not include structural details, electrical plans, foundation engineering, or cross-sections. These items are part of our Full Architectural plan sets.
The Builders Set of Plans Includes the Following Professional Drawings:
1. Cover Page with Index and Scope of Work
Your plan set begins with a professional cover page that includes:
- Complete index of all drawings in your set
- Scope of work describing your entire project
- Symbol legend with all abbreviations and notations explained
- General notes applicable to the complete project
2. Graphic Representation Standards
All construction drawings from Riverside Home Designs meet professional architectural industry standards for clarity, accuracy, and compliance with building code requirements:
- Plan legend with comprehensive descriptions
- Area tabulation identifying all construction components
- All plans drawn to established, identifiable scales
- Appropriately dimensioned for construction accuracy
- Fully annotated with construction notes and specifications
- Professional line weights and line types for legibility
- Clear title blocks, scale indications, north arrows, and legends
- Logical drawing sequence following industry standards
3. Fully Dimensioned Floor Plans
The main floor plan is the foundation of your construction drawings. Your floor plan will include all of the following elements:
- Complete dimensions for all walls and openings (layout and framing)
- Clear labels for rooms, cabinets, countertops, and appliances
- Ceiling height identification for all spaces
- Attached structures (garages, carports, porches, decks, balconies)
- Location and swing direction of all doors (sizing details handled by contractors)
- Window and skylight locations (sizing handled by contractors)
- Fireplace locations and specifications
- Plumbing fixture locations and rough-in requirements
- All major appliance locations
- Cabinet, countertop, and built-in furnishing locations
- Stairways, access ladders, and pathways to other levels
- Comprehensive construction notes and specifications
- Minimum ¼" scale for professional clarity and contractor use
4. Second Floor and Bonus Room Plans (When Applicable)
Multi-level homes receive the same detailed treatment on upper floors and bonus areas as the main floor. These plans include:
- Complete dimensions for all walls and structural openings
- Room labels, ceiling heights, and space identification
- Door and window locations with swing directions
- Fireplace, plumbing fixture, and appliance locations
- Built-in cabinets and furnishing placement
- Stairway and access point locations to connecting levels
- Comprehensive construction notes specific to upper levels
- Minimum ¼" scale for construction accuracy
5. Roof Layout Plans and Framing Information
Professional roof plans are essential for proper framing and construction. Your roof plan will show:
- Shadow copy of floor plan overlaid for reference and accuracy
- Complete dimensions to walls, overhangs, and projections
- Roof crickets and saddles for water management
- All roof ridges, pitch breaks, valleys, and hips clearly marked
- Roof ridge dimensions and lengths
- Roof pitch specifications and changes in pitch (including bastard valleys)
- Chimney locations with roof saddles and flashing requirements
- Ventilation and soffit information
6. Exterior Elevations (All Four Sides)
Exterior elevations show the appearance and construction details of your home from all sides. Your elevation drawings will include:
- Complete elevations of all four sides of the structure (orthographic, not perspective)
- Grade lines and finished floor lines clearly marked
- Top plate and ceiling lines for reference
- Door and window locations and dimensions
- Exterior finish materials with detailed annotations and specifications
- Exterior trim details (fascia, soffit, rakes, eaves)
- Roof pitches, overhangs, and roofing material specifications
- Foundation vents where applicable
- Overall building height and elevation marks
- Minimum ¼" scale for clarity and contractor reference
7. Furniture Layout Plans
These optional but helpful plans show proposed furniture placement to verify adequate room sizes and spatial relationships:
- Bedroom bed and dresser placement
- Dining room table, hutch, and buffet layout
- Breakfast nook and porch furniture placement
- Living room furniture arrangements
- Special furniture or area rug placement
- Custom furnishings to verify space adequacy
8. Plumbing Plans and Layout
Detailed plumbing plans help your plumber and contractor understand the complete plumbing layout for your home:
- Location of all plumbing fixtures throughout the home
- Dimensioned to centerline of walls and fixture centers
- Special conditions clearly marked (in-slab plumbing, etc.)
- Piping specifications for in-slab and other special applications
- Rough-in requirements and access points for plumbing installation
9. HVAC Space Identification and Equipment Access
Riverside Home Designs reserves and identifies all necessary space for HVAC equipment and ductwork routing on your plans. This ensures:
- Equipment placement areas clearly identified
- Adequate clearance for installation and maintenance
- Ductwork routing paths established
- Access for future service and repairs
Note: Specific HVAC system design and engineering is provided by your HVAC contractor. We coordinate the space; they design the system.
10. Interior Elevations (Optional - Additional Fee)
Interior elevations showing kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, fireplaces, and built-in units provide detailed construction guidance for trades. These are not included in the standard Builders Set but are available as an upgrade:
- Kitchen cabinet elevation and dimensions
- Bathroom vanity details and specifications
- Fireplace design and construction details
- Custom built-in units and shelving
Pro Tip: Many cabinet and fireplace distributors provide interior elevations at no cost during their competitive bidding process. Check with local suppliers before upgrading with us.
What's NOT Included in the Builders Set Plans
The Builders Set package does NOT include:
- Cross sections and construction details
- Door and window schedules with sizing specifications
- Detailed framing plans and specifications
- Electrical plans and lighting design layouts
- Foundation plans and structural engineering
- Structural calculations and engineering seals
- Site plan and property surveys
- Detailed building section drawings
Recommendation: If your project requires any of these items, ask about our Full Architectural Plans or Full Architectural with Engineering plan sets. These comprehensive packages include all technical documentation needed for complex projects.
Helpful Options to Consider with Your Builders Set
Mirror-Reversed (Flipped) Plans
If you want to build your home in mirror-reverse of the designed floor plan, we offer mirror-reversed sets for a small additional one-time fee. We strongly recommend purchasing reversed plans if needed to avoid construction site confusion and errors.
Engineering Seals and Structural Review
For projects requiring structural engineering review—due to complex roof loads, beam design, or local building code requirements—professional engineering seals can be added. Our team coordinates with licensed engineers to review and seal your plans. Engineering fees depend on project complexity and scope.
Important Note: Engineering services are not automatically included and must be specified in your project scope. Contact us to discuss if your project requires engineering review and seals.
Additional Plan Sets and Reproductions
You can order additional copies of your plans for builders, lenders, inspectors, and trades. Riverside Home Designs handles all plan reproduction to ensure quality and accuracy.
Riverside Home Designs License Agreement and Intellectual Property Protection
The plans and designs created by Riverside Home Designs represent the intellectual property of the designer and are protected by international copyright law. Your plans are provided for personal use for construction of one single project only.
License Terms and Restrictions
When you purchase plans from Riverside Home Designs, you receive a personal, non-transferable license to use those specific plans for your project construction. This license:
- Is issued solely to you as the original purchaser
- Cannot be transferred, sold, or given to any other party
- Applies to construction of one project only
- Does not permit commercial use or reproduction
- Does not permit distribution or sharing with other builders
Restricted Uses: Use of the plans and related details for any commercial purpose, sale, distribution, transfer to other parties, reproduction, or any unauthorized use is expressly prohibited without prior written approval from Riverside Home Designs and payment of applicable licensing fees.
Copyright Notice: All designs and related details produced on these plans are copyrighted and become trademarks of Riverside Home Designs. You may not reproduce the plans yourself; all plan copies must be provided by Riverside Home Designs.