We Give you the details you need

Q. Why follow a Building Code?

A. Well, it's really for your protection. You see, following a recognized building code ensures that certain proven standards are followed. Those standards were designed to protect you, the owner. Sometimes, builders complain about codes and standards that seem to be unnecessary or burdensome. We want you to consider that the Building Codes are there to protect you. If it were not for standards, some corner-cutting builders would render many projects unsafe.


Plan Standards & Specifications

Riverside Designs strives to provide blueprints that are detailed, and that provide a clear and concise representation of the project at hand. Our plans are designed to meet the Uniform Building Code. In addition, if your project is located within a municipality that has enacted other local or city building codes those guidelines will also be followed.

Riverside Plans Include the Following Elements:

• Exterior Elevations: show the rear and both sides of the house, including a sample or notes representing the exterior siding materials
• Foundation Plans: include drawings for a standard concrete slab foundation. All necessary notations for plumbing, electrical, and dimensions are included. Foundation requirements will vary from plan to plan. If the home you want to construct is not well suited to a concrete slab foundation we can custom design a foundation to fit your needs.
• Interior Elevations: we do not customarily draw any interior elevations showing the specifics of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, fireplaces, built-in units, and other special interior features. Note: The reason for this is to save money. If you desire Riverside to draw and elaborate on these interior details this can be done at an extra cost. We suggest contacting the local cabinet and fireplace distributors for sizes and styles. They will generally draw and represent these items for you at no cost during the bidding process.
• Roof Details: show slope, pitch and location of dormers, gables and other roof elements, including clearstory windows and skylights. These details may be shown on the elevations or on separate diagrams.
• Schematic Electrical Layouts: show the locations for light switches, fixtures and duplex outlets as well as any other necessary mechanical feature. These details may be shown on the floor plan or on a separate diagram.
• Detailed Floor Plans: show the placement of interior walls and the dimensions for rooms, doors, windows, stairways, etc., of each level of the house. We provide enough information for an experienced builder to complete the project at hand.
• Cross Sections: show details of the house as though it were cut in slices from the roof to the foundation. The cross sections specify the home's construction, insulation, flooring, roofing and other details.
• General information: provide general instructions and information regarding structure, excavating and grading, masonry and concrete work, carpentry and wood, thermal and moisture protection, and specifications about drywall, and flooring.

Other Helpful Building Items

For an additional fee, we can produce shop drawings, additional details, and sections that will further explain the scope of the project. Listed below are other services we offer our customers.

• Reproducible Set: is useful if you plan to make changes to the stock home plan you've chosen. This set consists of inked line drawings produced on velum paper for the purpose of modification. When alterations are complete, working copies can be made.
  *Bonus: this includes free working set of bluelines!
• Mirror-Reversed Plans: (available on all plans) are used when building the home in reverse of the illustrated or designed floor plan. Reversed plans are available for an additional one-time surcharge. It is imperative that you purchase reversed plans in order to avoid confusion on the job site during construction.
• Itemized List of Materials: details the quantity, type and size of basic materials needed to build your home. This list is helpful in acquiring accurate construction estimates.
• Description of Materials: describes the type and quality of materials suggested for the home. This form may be required for obtaining FHA or VA financing.

Special Requirements

• Engineering Seals: The concern over energy costs, building design, and structural integrity of certain components occasionally prompt the need for an engineer to review and "seal" a plan prior to construction. There will be an additional fee for this service. The fees depend on the complexity of the services required; as well as the amount of work involved. Riverside will oversee the engineering and all other requirements for the plans and will submit to the customer a complete set of plans with the seals as required.
• Revisions, Modifications and Customizing: The tremendous variety of designs available from Riverside allows you to choose the home that best suits your lifestyle, budget, and building site. Through your choice of siding, roof, trim, decorating, color, etc., your home can be customized easily.

Most professional builders can make minor changes and some basic material substitutions without the need for expensive plan revisions. However, if you will be making major changes, we strongly recommend that you purchase a complete set of working drawings that include the changes you wish to make.

Riverside Designs and Drafting Services License Agreement

The plans and designs created by Riverside Designs are the intellectual property of the designer and are protected by international copyright. As such, the plans and other details are provided for personal use for the construction of one (1) House only. Use of the plans and other details for commercial purposes, for sale, distribution, transfer to any other party other than the original purchaser, or reproduction in any way is expressly prohibited without Riverside Designs written approval. No other commercial use or reproduction will be allowed without additional license and fees. When you purchase plans from Riverside Designs you will be provided with a permission to use the plans. This license is issued solely to you, and you agree to the terms and conditions as stated on the plans. The license is not transferable to anyone under any circumstances.

All designs and related details produced on the plans are copyrighted, and become trademarks of Riverside Designs and Drafting Services.

Buyer Beware

Riverside Designs makes no representation whatsoever of being a licensed architectural or engineering firm. The services provided by Riverside Designs are simply to represent the ideas of the Customer/Owner on paper as per their directions. We hold no responsibility whatsoever in any design or engineering work relating to the drawings provided to the Customer/Owner. All deposits and or retainers made by the customer are non refundable. Be sure you want to hire us prior to making the first payment.

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