Get Floor Plans for Your House: A Guide to Hiring Professionals, DIY, and Using Tools

Floor plans are a key part of any home renovation or building project. They provide a detailed layout of the home, including the location of walls, windows, doors, and other features. This information is essential for planning renovations, additions, or even just rearranging furniture.

There are a few different ways to get floor plans for a house. One option is to contact the architect or builder who originally designed and built the home. They may have copies of the original floor plans on file. Another option is to hire a professional draftsman or architect to create new floor plans. This can be a more expensive option, but it ensures that the floor plans are accurate and up-to-date.

In this article, we will discuss the different ways to get floor plans for a house and provide tips for choosing the best option for your needs.

Here are 10 important points to keep in mind when getting floor plans for a house:

Contact the architect or builder.
Hire a professional draftsman or architect.
Use online floor plan creation tools.
Measure and draw the floor plan yourself.
Consider the purpose of the floor plan.
Determine the level of detail required.
Check for accuracy and completeness.
Make sure the floor plan is up-to-date.
Consider the cost of getting floor plans.
Get multiple quotes before hiring a professional.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you get the best possible floor plans for your needs.

Contact the architect or builder.

If you are able to contact the architect or builder who originally designed and built your home, they may have copies of the original floor plans on file. This is the most direct way to obtain accurate and up-to-date floor plans for your home.

When contacting the architect or builder, be sure to provide them with as much information about your home as possible, including the address, year built, and any previous renovations or additions. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for them to locate the correct floor plans.

If the architect or builder does not have copies of the original floor plans, they may be able to recreate them for you. This can be a more expensive option, but it ensures that the floor plans are accurate and up-to-date.

In some cases, the architect or builder may not be able to provide you with floor plans. This could be because the plans have been lost or destroyed, or because the architect or builder is no longer in business.

If you are unable to obtain floor plans from the architect or builder, there are other options available, such as hiring a professional draftsman or architect to create new floor plans, using online floor plan creation tools, or measuring and drawing the floor plan yourself.

Hire a professional draftsman or architect.

If you are unable to obtain floor plans from the architect or builder, or if you need more detailed or accurate floor plans, you can hire a professional draftsman or architect to create them for you.

Experience and expertise. Professional draftsmen and architects have the experience and expertise to create accurate and detailed floor plans. They are also familiar with building codes and regulations, which can be important if you are planning to make any changes to your home.
Time-saving. Hiring a professional to create floor plans can save you a lot of time and effort. You won’t have to worry about measuring and drawing the floor plan yourself, and you can be sure that the floor plans will be accurate and up-to-date.
Peace of mind. When you hire a professional to create floor plans, you can have peace of mind knowing that the floor plans are accurate and up-to-date. This can be important if you are planning to make any changes to your home, or if you are selling your home.
Cost. Hiring a professional to create floor plans can be more expensive than other options, such as using online floor plan creation tools or measuring and drawing the floor plan yourself. However, the cost of hiring a professional may be worth it if you need accurate and detailed floor plans.

If you are considering hiring a professional to create floor plans for your home, be sure to get multiple quotes before making a decision. You should also ask about the draftsman’s or architect’s experience and expertise, as well as their fees.

Use online floor plan creation tools.

There are a number of online floor plan creation tools available, such as Floorplanner, SmartDraw, and AutoCAD 360. These tools allow you to create floor plans by dragging and dropping symbols and shapes onto a canvas. They also include a variety of features to help you create detailed and accurate floor plans, such as the ability to add walls, windows, doors, and furniture.

Ease of use. Online floor plan creation tools are easy to use, even for beginners. They have a user-friendly interface and do not require any special skills or training.
Cost-effective. Online floor plan creation tools are a cost-effective way to create floor plans. They are typically much cheaper than hiring a professional draftsman or architect.
Time-saving. Online floor plan creation tools can save you a lot of time. You can create a floor plan in a matter of minutes, compared to the hours or days it would take to draw a floor plan by hand.
Flexibility. Online floor plan creation tools are flexible and allow you to make changes to your floor plan easily. You can add or remove walls, windows, doors, and furniture with just a few clicks.

However, it is important to note that online floor plan creation tools are not as accurate as floor plans created by a professional draftsman or architect. They may also not be suitable for complex floor plans or for projects that require precise measurements.

Measure and draw the floor plan yourself.

If you are on a budget or if you are comfortable with DIY projects, you can measure and draw the floor plan yourself. This is a more time-consuming option, but it can be a good way to save money.

Measure the perimeter of each room. Use a measuring tape to measure the length and width of each room. Be sure to measure the distance between walls, windows, and doors.
Sketch the floor plan. Once you have measured the perimeter of each room, you can sketch the floor plan on a piece of paper. Be sure to include all of the walls, windows, doors, and other features of each room.
Add details. Once you have sketched the basic floor plan, you can add details such as furniture, appliances, and fixtures. This will help you to visualize the layout of your home and make any necessary changes.
Check for accuracy. Once you have finished drawing the floor plan, check it for accuracy. Measure the distances between walls, windows, and doors to make sure that they are correct. You should also check the overall layout of the floor plan to make sure that it makes sense.

Measuring and drawing the floor plan yourself can be a time-consuming process, but it can be a good way to save money. If you are comfortable with DIY projects and you have the time, this is a good option for getting floor plans for your home.

Consider the purpose of the floor plan.

The purpose of the floor plan will determine the level of detail and accuracy required. For example, if you are planning to remodel your kitchen, you will need a floor plan that shows the location of all of the walls, windows, doors, and appliances. However, if you are just trying to get a general idea of the layout of your home, a less detailed floor plan may be sufficient.

Remodeling or addition. If you are planning to remodel or add on to your home, you will need a detailed and accurate floor plan. This floor plan should show the location of all of the walls, windows, doors, and appliances. It should also include measurements and dimensions.
Furniture placement. If you are just trying to figure out how to arrange your furniture, a less detailed floor plan may be sufficient. This floor plan can be drawn to scale or it can be a simple sketch. It should include the location of all of the walls, windows, and doors.
Selling your home. If you are selling your home, you will need a floor plan that is accurate and up-to-date. This floor plan will be used by potential buyers to get a general idea of the layout of your home.
Other purposes. Floor plans can also be used for a variety of other purposes, such as insurance claims, estate planning, and property management.

Once you have considered the purpose of the floor plan, you can start to gather the information you need to create it. This may include measuring the rooms in your home, taking pictures of the existing layout, and gathering any other relevant information.

Determine the level of detail required.

The level of detail required for a floor plan will depend on the purpose of the plan. For example, a floor plan for a remodeling project will need to be much more detailed than a floor plan for a real estate listing. Here are some factors to consider when determining the level of detail required for your floor plan:

The purpose of the floor plan. As mentioned above, the purpose of the floor plan will determine the level of detail required. If the floor plan is for a remodeling project, it will need to be very detailed and accurate. It should include the location of all walls, windows, doors, and appliances. It should also include measurements and dimensions.

The complexity of the home. The complexity of the home will also affect the level of detail required for the floor plan. A simple home with a regular layout will require a less detailed floor plan than a complex home with an irregular layout. If the home has multiple levels, the floor plan will need to include a floor plan for each level.

The scale of the floor plan. The scale of the floor plan will also affect the level of detail required. A large-scale floor plan will show more detail than a small-scale floor plan. The scale of the floor plan should be appropriate for the purpose of the plan.

The intended audience. The intended audience for the floor plan will also affect the level of detail required. A floor plan for a contractor will need to be more detailed than a floor plan for a potential buyer. The floor plan should be designed to meet the needs of the intended audience.

Check for accuracy and completeness.

Once you have created a floor plan, it is important to check for accuracy and completeness. This means making sure that the floor plan correctly represents the layout of your home and that it includes all of the necessary information. Here are some things to look for when checking the accuracy and completeness of your floor plan:

Verify the measurements. Use a measuring tape to verify the measurements of the rooms and other features in your home. Make sure that the measurements on the floor plan match the actual measurements. If there are any discrepancies, correct the measurements on the floor plan.

Check the layout. Walk through your home and compare the layout of the floor plan to the actual layout of your home. Make sure that all of the rooms, walls, windows, doors, and other features are correctly represented on the floor plan. If there are any errors, correct them on the floor plan.

Include all of the necessary information. The floor plan should include all of the necessary information for the purpose of the plan. For example, if the floor plan is for a remodeling project, it should include the location of all of the walls, windows, doors, and appliances. It should also include measurements and dimensions.

Have someone else review the floor plan. Once you have checked the accuracy and completeness of the floor plan, have someone else review it. This could be a friend, family member, or colleague. They may be able to spot any errors or omissions that you missed.

Make sure the floor plan is up-to-date.

It is important to make sure that the floor plan is up-to-date, especially if you are planning to make any changes to your home. An up-to-date floor plan will reflect the current layout of your home, including any recent renovations or additions.

Check for changes. Walk through your home and compare the layout of the floor plan to the actual layout of your home. Make sure that all of the rooms, walls, windows, doors, and other features are correctly represented on the floor plan. If there are any changes, update the floor plan accordingly.
Add new features. If you have added any new features to your home, such as a deck, patio, or sunroom, be sure to add them to the floor plan. This will help you to visualize the new layout of your home and make any necessary changes.
Remove old features. If you have removed any features from your home, such as a wall or a door, be sure to remove them from the floor plan. This will help you to keep the floor plan accurate and up-to-date.
Check for code compliance. If you have made any changes to the structure of your home, such as adding a new room or moving a wall, be sure to check the local building codes to make sure that the changes are compliant. You may need to submit the updated floor plan to the local building department for approval.

Keeping your floor plan up-to-date is important for a number of reasons. It will help you to visualize the layout of your home, make any necessary changes, and ensure that your home is code compliant. It is also a good idea to keep a copy of the floor plan in a safe place in case of an emergency.

Consider the cost of getting floor plans.

The cost of getting floor plans will vary depending on the size of your home, the complexity of the floor plan, and the level of detail required. Here are some factors that will affect the cost of getting floor plans:

The size of your home. The larger your home, the more it will cost to get floor plans. This is because larger homes have more rooms and features to measure and draw.
The complexity of the floor plan. The more complex the floor plan, the more it will cost to get floor plans. This is because complex floor plans require more time and effort to measure and draw.
The level of detail required. The more detail required in the floor plans, the more it will cost to get them. This is because more detail requires more time and effort to measure and draw.
The type of floor plan. There are two main types of floor plans: 2D floor plans and 3D floor plans. 2D floor plans are flat drawings that show the layout of a home from above. 3D floor plans are more realistic drawings that show the layout of a home from all angles. 3D floor plans are more expensive than 2D floor plans.

The cost of getting floor plans can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. It is important to get quotes from several different contractors before hiring one to create floor plans for your home.

Get multiple quotes before hiring a professional.

Once you have found a few potential contractors, it is important to get multiple quotes before hiring one. This will help you to ensure that you are getting the best possible price for the job. Here are a few tips for getting multiple quotes:

1. Get quotes from at least three contractors. This will give you a good range of prices to compare.2. Be specific about what you want. When you are getting quotes, be sure to specify the level of detail you need in the floor plans. This will help the contractors to give you accurate quotes.3. Compare the quotes carefully. Once you have received quotes from several contractors, take the time to compare them carefully. Be sure to compare the price, the level of detail, and the turnaround time.

4. Ask about experience and references. When you are comparing quotes, be sure to ask the contractors about their experience and references. This will help you to choose a contractor who is qualified to do the job.

Getting multiple quotes is an important step in the process of hiring a professional to create floor plans for your home. By following these tips, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible price for the job.