Frequently Asked Questions What is Copyright Protection? The plans/designs displayed on this website are to assist you in purchasing the right plan for your new home and are not to be used as design ideas for others from which to work. Federal laws protect the property of the original designer. The copyright protection covers the design of the home as well as the plan itself. Either the builder or the homebuyer MUST purchase the design if they wish to legally build that home or make any changes to that design. Violating a copyright can present severe penalties. What if I want to make changes to the plan design? Modifications may require a plan redraw or can be considered a new design. Larger modification requests need to be submitted and reviewed by York Home Design for a price quote for the modifications. A local architect in your area can make minor modifications once the plan(s) have been purchased; however, York Home Design cannot be held responsible for these changes. Please note that changes made to any home plan are legally considered to be "derivative works" of the plan. As the owner of the copyright of the home plan, only the original designer is entitled to copyright the derivative works. Any attempt by others to claim copyright in derivative works would be a violation of federal copyright law. Violating a copyright can present severe penalties. How many plan sets will I need? It is best to check with your local inspections department and builder to see how many sets each will require. We recommend a minimum purchase of five sets. If you plan on making or are considering making modifications, you may consider purchasing the reproducible vellums or the CAD file. What are reproducible vellums? Reproducible vellums are ideal if you intend to make changes to your plan. Reproducible vellums allow your local architect, designer, or engineer to make changes without having to completely redraw the plan. With the vellum purchase it allows you to reproduce up to 15 copied sets. The purchaser is allowed to use the plans to build one house only. Can I return a plan? All sales are final and plans may not be returned for credit and/or refund under any circumstance. We recommend you consult with your local builder and determine what you will need to build the home and meet local building codes. You need to make sure of your order before placing it. It is extremely important that you check the dimensions of your lot or land before selecting a home plan. Can I order additional plan sets? Prices for additional black lines or vellums apply only if ordered within 30 days of initial order. Additional shipping charges apply if ordered separately. Can I build a home multiple times with a single license? Whether you purchase a 5 Plan Set, 8 Plan Set, reproducible vellum or a CAD file, you can only build the plan one time. If you are planning to build the home multiple times, you need to purchase a reproducible vellum or CAD file along with a multiple use license. Please contact us for additional information. Do my plans require an architectural and/or engineer’s seal? Most coastal regions will require your plans be reviewed & sealed by a local engineer or architect. This ensures that your plans meet local and state codes and requirements specific to your area. We recommend that prior to application for a building permit, or the start of construction, that you consult with your local building official who can tell you if certification is required. Will the plans I order contain all of the information needed by my local building codes department? Along with your home plans, you will need a site plan that shows where the home is going to be located on the lot. Your builder or contractor can usually help you with this. You may also need a septic system design. There are some areas of the country that have very strict engineering codes. Examples of this would be earthquake-prone areas of California or hurricane risk areas along the Gulf Coast. If you are building in the type of area, it is possible that you will need to hire a local engineer to analyze the home design and provide additional drawings and calculations required by your building department. Your local building code departments should have a handout they provide you with listing all requirements for building permit submittal.