Today you’ll find a wide variety of “off the shelf” or stock house plans on the market in almost any style of residential architecture. While not a true custom home, such plans do offer many advantages at a big savings in design fees. First, these plans can be modified to a certain degree to meet individual family needs, such as an additional bedroom, larger garage or master suite. Such changes can often be made by the company selling the plans or by a local architect in your area, but will incur extra time and expenses to make those changes. An off-the-shelf plan also can offer a high-end custom look, depending on the quality of the design, materials used and construction methods. We advise our clients to find a quality, detailed plan that fits their needs and/or site requirements and to hire a builder that has a good reputation for quality in their area. Clients who do not wish to spend the time or the expense on custom home design often are delighted with a plan from a portfolio of plans, such as the ones I offer through my website. We receive countless photos from clients who are thrilled with the home they purchased from us. Not all house plans are created equal, so find a company that sells detailed plans with clear instructions so that contractors can execute the home you and your architect imagined.