This is answered best by describing the reasons not to choose another company...
Why Southern Pine Design?
Sure. You can go to a website for blueprints, but what are you really getting? Most of these websites offer a stock plan at a great price. That is true. But there are so many things they hide from the client. If you read the fine print, these stock plan websites will tell you in the fine print... some states require an engineer, or architect, or surveyor, or this... or that... what are you really buying then... a pretty picture of a house you can't build? To make it worse, most of the time you will not even know this until you purchase their plans. These notes are typically on the plans you just invested in... and now you are not able to even use the plans to build your dream project.
How do we know this? We are often approached and asked if we are able to revise the plans so they can be submitted for permitting. The answer is yes, and we do this often.
At Southern Pine Design, we offer something different. We offer plans you or your contractor can actually build to. After you pay for their plans... take a closer look. Most of these plans show truss roof systems and floor systems that are more expensive than conventional lumber, and now you need to an engineer for the design. They do this because it's significantly less work in the design stage, or they just don't know how to design in accordance with any building code.
They silently leave these extra hidden costs on you as... it saves them money from designing a project that complies with modern building codes. Let us design your next project or take your existing plans and alter them the way you need. We're here for our clients, and are passionate about what we do.
If you start with Southern Pine Design, we do our best due diligence to provide you with the best product we can. Our plans are easy to read, and easy to build from.
* We are conscientious of the environment. We love trees and the environment, and we love designing with conservation of this renewable resource in mind. We're not talking about the fancy, expensive, and super "green" products that are out there... we just design our projects to make the best use of the materials.
* One thing that sets us apart is how we use "smart framing" design guidelines. The framing package for a building is usually the most expensive. By using smart framing, our designs can easily save you up to 30% of the framing package costs. We do not believe in continuing the old adage "I've done it this way for 20 years". While experience is a great thing, there is no reason to over-build and over-design the structure, which is what happens for those who have built or designed something a certain way for a long period of time. It adds labor costs, material, and decreases the insulation value, just as a few things.
* We also know that people have busy schedules. Most projects can be completed entirely through email, video calling, or just by sending some photos of your ideas. We've taken some pretty basic hand-drawn plans and cut-outs from a magazine, and produced a product that our clients have loved.
* We believe in forward thinking and the use of new technology. If it can save time and provide flexibility to our clients, we're in!!
* So about those stock plans from the internet you may be thinking about. Do you know they typically come with a fine print disclaimer stating "may not comply with the local building code"... or energy code, or you will need an additional this... or an additional that. When you buy stock plans, would you not expect the plans to meet the building code? The building code tells you what size rooms you will need, what size floor joists, how much clearance you will need in front of a shower, what kind of windows, how much insulation, and the list goes on.
Many times we are asked to help clients in this situation, where they bought plans from a designer who lives in California, where there building codes are completely different. They come to us for help to get their project approved by the local building department. Buying a set of stock plans that do not meet the building code... leaves a lot of room for costly errors. It also means your permit process will take longer. The person who reviews your plans at the permit stage will ask you to make changes to your plans so they at least meet the building code. Changes to the plans you paid for already are not free, and for a stock plan company, who already notes in the fine print that their plans may not meet the building code, would you really trust them to make accurate changes? Would it not be wiser to know what you are actually paying for, and would it not be wiser to work with a company who knows the building codes and how to navigate through the permit process?
* We're here to help everyone, no matter what size your project is or what your needs may be.
Are you in that place where you want to build your dream house or addition? Really, when you think about it, it's a dream. It's a custom dream because you can call it your own, and you designed it the way you wanted. It has the flow you want, it has the layout you want, and it is going to work for you just the way you want it to. We want to make sure you get what you want and get what you pay for.
At Southern Pine Design, we create custom designs and put our clients ideas onto paper. Give us your idea, and we will make it happen. We know the building codes for multiple states and local cities, towns, and counties. We know the permit processes as well. We know how to get you what you want with no surprises. And best of all, our plans are not just a pretty picture... you can take what we give you and actually build it. We note what floor joists to use, what beams to use, what rafters to use... no guesswork for you and your contractor doesn't have to provide these designs for you. Where we are not able to provide services for a specific project in-house, we work with professionals in all disciplines to get what you need, in one complete package. If a structural engineer is needed, we work with them. If an architect is needed, we work with them as well. Do you need a surveyor to create a site plan for the planning department? We work those as well. We are part of a tight knit community and we know when to seek the services of an associate. We work with you throughout the entire project. If you decide that you want to change a window, or move a wall, we will be there to make these changes for you. Production is not our goal; quality is. We believe that quality and attention to detail is what will keep our clients content throughout the life of the project. That's the Southern Pine Design difference.