One question that seems to be quite common when buying house plans for the first time, is whether or not the plan package contains “everything” that you would need to build  the home in the state/location of "INSERT PLACE HERE"... As such, here is some additional information to clarify the subject.
The short answer to this question is...”Yes, in most cases...”
In most areas of the country, stock house plans will provide everything that you should need to build, but may not necessarily contain everything you need to obtain a building permit.
In addition to the house plans you order, you may also need a site plan that shows where the house is going to be located on the property. You might also need beams sized to accommodate roof loads specific to your region. Your home builder can usually help you with these type simple items. You may also need a septic design unless your lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. Many areas now have area-specific energy building codes that also have to be followed.
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REMEMBER: If your particular area should require additional information to obtain a building permit, you will usually still save money and time by purchasing stock house plans vs. custom...
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In some regions, there is a second step you will need to take to ensure your house plans are in compliance with local codes. For example, some areas of North America have very strict engineering requirements. An example of this would be earthquake-prone areas of California. If you are building in some states, it is most likely you will need to hire a state licensed structural engineer to analyze the design and provide additional drawings and calculations required by your building department. If you aren’t sure, building departments typically have a handout they will give you listing all of the items they require to submit for and obtain a building permit.
Another item to consider is that stock floor plans do not usually have a professional stamp attached. If your building department requires one, they may accept a stamp from a design professional in the state where you plan to build. In this case, its really just a simple task of taking your house plans to a local engineer or design professional for review and stamping.
NOTE: It is ALWAYS a good idea to check with your local city, county, township, and state building authorities to ensure that your home construction will meet all applicable building codes.
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Lets go to your next lesson, where you'll learn about "What are the most-popular and most-requested house plan features..."...
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