I purchased a brand new planset for one of the houses featured on this website. We need to make some site-specific changes, the biggest of which is the foundation type. The other changes are more modest.
I cannot get an architect to make the changes and seal the drawings. They all say the same thing, which is that the house design is a proprietary original, and AIA rules prevent one architect from working on another's completed work and then stamping it as one's own. They say they cannot even start with blank paper and redraw it, because it would look so essentially the same, that copying could be implied.
I thought that all these plans are sold by the sellers with the advice to hire a local architect to review them, make site-specific adaptive changes, other changes as may be required to address local building codes, plus whatever else the plans buyer might want.
I feel like we've a Catch 22 going on here. What's up?
What they are telling you is true - BUT - you can get this done by getting signed permission from the original designer. Many sites that sell plans offer an option that includes this. If it doesn't show in your peperwork, call them. Also, a licensed architect can only sign and seal their own work or work done under their direct supervision. However, each state has different rules about when home plans need to be sealed. With only a few exceptions, single family homes do not need to be sealed. That means that another architect can work on plans, with permission from the original author. I do "internet rescue" drawings, and have compiled a list of state rules to ensure compliance. What state are you in?
Wendy Welton, AIA Art Form Architecture, Inc. www.artform.biz
Wendy, I am in New York, way upstate in Lake Placid. We are considering relocating to either Wimberly, NC, or Flat Rock, NC.
We would like to have built, in either place we choose, a "version" of the Susanka 2004V showhouse. My reason for wanting to hire an architect was to have the professional adapt the plan to local building customs, and give the outside and inside details that represent the best look of regional style, in materials and workmanship.
We would want the shape, windows, and floorplan all the same as the original, and only the trimschemes changed. For Texas, the house would need to be changed to a no-basement model and the mechanicals all relocated.
My reason for wanting an architect to advise and assist, is that I think an architect is better at doing what I want done (changes mostly aesthetic) than a "building designer" or builder.
BTW, I am a builder and just completed a copy (and I do mean copy) of the original 2004V for some clients here. My clients were one of the first to buy the planset when it became available. We visited the original prototype in Stowe, VT, and the three hours we spent there convinced my clients they wanted it exactly the same.
It was the fourth NSBH I built from plans available right here through this site. When I got the plans (as I always do) I completely proofed the design by modeling it in great detail in 3D CAD. I found a dozen or so errors on Susanka's original drawings (three of them would have, and did, caused a builder some grief) and fed back the changes to Susanka Studios through the planseller.
I read your cost summaries in another thread here and you are fairly accurate. The 2004V has 2972 sf of finished conditioned living space, plus another 1400 sf of under-roof paved terraces and porches, all with foundation under. The garage has 743 sf. The roof area is quite large, with 6240 sf of roofing.
Cost to owners originally ('98 completion) was just under $200/sf of conditioned living space. This copy here, just completed, cost the owners about $230/sf. Another almost-exact copy is finishing now in NE Ohio for about $190 sf.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I talked to John Dunnihoo at Healthy Home Plans, and he said:
"We include a signed (by us) Construction License with all of our plan sales, except for Study Plans which are stamped “Not For Construction”. This document explains that it is OK to modify the home, that the design is copyrighted, that they can only build one home, etc. This same info is also on every page of the plan as well. We have never had an architect refuse to modify a plan based on copyright, after seeing this document."
Sarah's experience as well has been that when an architect agrees to sell their plans, they are automatically granting permission for the buyer to modify them to fit the site and as necessary to suit their lifestyle. The whole idea of selling the plans is to reduce the amount of time spent on the design process, while still getting a great home in the end. You are, in effect, purchasing the labor that went into the original by the architect and original homeowner, but nobody expects that you would want exactly the same home for yourself. So permissions are granted for modification.
If you have not already done so, please retreive one of the above-mentioned documents from Healthy Home Plans and bring it with you on your next meeting with an architect. That should take care of the issue. If not, please let me know.
Im an architect in Malone NY, we work in your area andd would be willing to discuss your plan modification requests with you. If certain procedures, such as conducting a code and structural review are followed the plans may be modified/amended by another architect.
