Can you send us a brochure on the plans that you offer?
We do not have printed materials, but rather rely on our website to do our marketing and explain our cottage communities and stock house plans.  We feel it is a better way to communicate our product and will save a few trees in the process. Periodically, we will be adding new plans, so please keep an eye on our website.

How much does it cost to build your homes?
Construction costs vary greatly from region to region.  We figure the cost is somewhere just above the mid-range of local construction estimates. Being smaller does not necessarily make them less expensive to build. The building site, finish materials, as well as competition and contractor availability are also factors. Those elements all translate into very different costs per square foot. We suggest you print up the floor plans of the home and ask local builders to review the floor plans, photos from the website, and your desired finishes to get their estimates. You may also get an up-to-date assessment of construction costs by consulting with personnel at local building supply stores or your city/county building department.

Do you have model homes that we may visit or is it possible to contact the owners of the houses shown on your web site?
We do not have model homes. As far as contacting any owners of our homes, it is our policy to protect the privacy of our customers, so we do not give out their addresses even for drive bys.  Likewise, should you purchase a set of our plans, we will not give out your address. We do our best to give you enough information to make an educated decision about purchasing our plans, sharing the floor plans and photographs of the homes.

May the plans be modified?
At this time, we are unable to to take on modification work other than mirroring (flipping) the plans and possibly adding an attached garage. Our fee for mirroring is $150. You are welcome to take the set of plans (or a print of the floor plan from our website) to a designer, architect, or engineer in your area to discuss modifications. Modifications allow you to customize your home design. Limitations may include structural feasibility, construction cost, and design integrity. You will need to have a local architect or engineer review the plans to assure they adhere to all local codes and structural requirements (such as seismic or hurricane resistance), so that is a good time to discuss modifications.

How do we find a qualified designer or architect in our area to help us modify the plans?
The American Institute of Building Designers http://aibd.org will assist you with finding designers in your locale. Your local trade organization of builders or your building supply center may have suggestions as well. In addition, the web site www.notsobighouse.com has a list of architects who subscribe to the values of thoughtfully-designed, right-sized houses.

What is included when purchasing the stock house plans?
You are purchasing a license to build one structure. Our GoodFit home plans are very complete and include all the information needed by a qualified contractor to build the home. They include the following: Foundation Plan, Floor Plans, Framing Plans, Sections, Building Systems, Elevations, Electrical Plans, Details, Specifications, and Window and Door Schedules.

Are CAD files of the plans available?
It’s our policy to send only the printed plans for copyright and reproduction reasons.  You are free to take our plans to a copy house such as Kinkos and make copies for subcontractors. Non-structural changes to the plans may simply be drawn or indicated on the plans, just as the engineer will do when adjusting the plans for your site.

What type of heating and air conditioning do the plans call for?
Part of the not-so-big idea is to devote minimal space to utilities. When it comes to an HVAC system, here in the Pacific NW where the climate is moderate, we typically install a fireplace in the living room as the main heat source with electric wall heaters to supplement the fireplace. There is no need for air conditioning in this part of the country. If you and your builder are considering something more substantial, such as radiant floor or central heating, you should discuss these possibilities with the engineer who is reviewing your plans, who will ensure that the floors have structural strength to support the system and/or that mechanical ducts are placed appropriately so as not to compromise the structural integrity.

Do the plans have an architect stamp?
Our plans are not stamped and approved for your locale. They go out as GoodFit house plans, GoodFit being a division of Ross Chapin Architects. When you purchase a set of our house plans, you will find them complete but not site specific.  Our license agreement requires that purchasers have a structural engineer review the drawings to make sure they comply with local building codes and conditions relevant to your site – as is the case with all stock plans.

Any pointers to help me begin a building project, or a book that might help with the process?
We usually suggest starting with a visit to the Taunton Press www.taunton.com website. They have the widest selection of books and magazines to help with every aspect of creating your home, including Creating the Not So Big House, Home By Design, and Patterns of Home. In addition, Christopher Alexander's seminal book, A Pattern Language, provides inspiring guidance.

Do you offer developer consultation services?
Yes, we offer a range of services to assist developers with neighborhood residential projects. Feel free to contact us to discuss the extent of services appropriate to or required for your project.

What are my payment options for purchasing a set of house plans?
1) Pay by credit card through our office. Give us a call at 360.221.2373, M - Th, 10:00 - 5:30 PDT.
2) Pay by check accompanied by your completed downloadable order form.

What is your refund policy?
We do not offer refunds or exchanges. You need to make sure of your order before placing it. We also suggest you discuss with your builder, engineer, or local building inspector any site specific requirements that should be taken into consideration, for example height restrictions and set backs.

Are there copyright restrictions for these designs?
Yes. It is a common misunderstanding that it is permissible to copy, adapt or change a floor plan or design found in any media. It is not. Unauthorized reproduction, sale, or transfer of plans contained on this site is a violation of copyright laws, with liability of up to $100,000 per offense. Any profits pocketed from selling plans or houses made from the original may also be confiscated.

What is your photo policy?
All of the images are copyrighted and are the exclusive intellectual property of Ross Chapin Architects. We encourage sharing them with friends and family for inspiration, but they shall not be reproduced for commercial or promotional use without explicit approval. Contact us for more information.