Frequently Asked Questions
All you need to know about our self build house designs.
Can I make changes to your designs?
Yes, of course. We understand that every client may wish to customise their preferred design – whether that means simply changing the external materials (from brick to stone, or cladding, for example) or something more complex. We regularly amend designs to suit customer requirements, and are happy to discuss any changes with you before you commit to a particular house design.
How do I make changes to a design once I’ve chosen which one I want?
Purchase the design you like and add your requested amendments during the checkout process, or contact us with to discuss your required alterations beforehand. We will also personalise the plans with your details. We offer free amendments for non-structural changes such as the relocation of doors, windows, internal walls etc. under our ‘Free Amendments’ promotion (more information here). If in doubt, or for a no-obligation quote, please contact us before purchasing.
Why should I use your ready-made house plans instead of hiring a local architect?
All of our plans have previously been drawn up for private clients and submitted with planning applications. You benefit by not paying for our designers to start from scratch – it’s much quicker, and therefore cheaper, for us to amend an existing design than reinvent the wheel.
What do other people think of your designs?
We are proud that we have so many satisfied customers, dating back to 2008. You can read testimonials from some of them here, or check out our Trustpilot reviews here.
What’s included in your Full Planning Application package?
You get a full set of house plans, consisting of elevations, floor plans and section drawings, in PDF format. The plans are drawn to a scale of 1:50 or 1:100 on A3 paper for easy printing. The house plans cover everything the planners will need to know about the design – you just need to add site and location plans. Click here for a sample of what our house plans include.
Can I make further copies of the plans?
Yes. The plans are supplied in electronic format so you may print as many copies as you wish. Please note that you may only use your purchased plans for one project unless agreed otherwise in writing, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.
What does the ‘internal area’ measurement cover?
This is the habitable space within the house, so will include all bedrooms, living areas, kitchen, dining room etc. but will not include garages, porches and the like.
What if I change my mind or am dissatisfied with my plans?
We offer a 14-day Money Back Guarantee – You can access our Refunds & Returns policy here.
Who owns copyright of the design?
Houseplansdirect retains copyright for all of our self build house designs at all times, and our work may not be reproduced or distributed without prior permission. Each purchase entitles the customer to construct one single dwelling using the plans provided. Should you wish to construct more than one dwelling of the same design, please contact us first.
How can I work out the cost of building a specific design?
We have provided estimated building costs here which show variations by UK region and internal area. These figures are provided by PropertyData and are updated constantly. We can also recommend independent estimators should you wish to go into greater depth – see our Links page for further information.
Do the downloadable plans include everything needed to build the house?
Unfortunately, we can’t offer off-the-shelf plans for Building Regulations applications, as at this stage the package of drawings and documents have to be site specific, and the regulations will vary depending on which UK nation you are building in. We do, however, offer a fixed price service to help you satisfy Building Control – click here to find out more.
Do I need planning permission for my house build?
In most cases, yes – building a new house requires full planning permission from your local planning authority. This is different from permitted development rights, which only cover certain extensions and alterations to existing properties. Even if you’re replacing an existing building, you’ll typically need planning permission unless you’re rebuilding exactly the same structure.
At Houseplansdirect, our ready-made designs are specifically created to comply with UK Building Regulations and planning requirements, giving you a strong foundation for your planning application.
What’s the difference between planning permission and building regulations?
Planning permission focuses on whether your proposed development is acceptable in terms of land use, design, and impact on the local area. Building regulations ensure your construction meets safety, energy efficiency, and structural standards.
You need both approvals to legally build your house. Our house plans comply with current Building Regulations requirements, and we offer both planning application services and building regulations services to support you through both processes.
How long does planning permission take?
Local planning authorities have 8 weeks to decide on standard planning applications, though this can extend to 13 weeks for major applications. However, the actual timeline often depends on factors like:
– Completeness of your initial application
– Whether additional information is requested
– Local authority workload
– Consultation responses from neighbours and statutory bodies
Our pre-planning drawings (available for £5.99) are perfect for early discussions with your local planning authority, helping identify potential issues before you submit your full application.
What documents do I need for a planning application?
A complete planning application typically requires:
– Completed application forms
– Site location plan (1:1250 or 1:2500 scale)
– Block plan (1:500 scale minimum)
– Existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, and sections
– Design and access statement
– Planning application fee
Our Planning Application Drawings packages include all the technical drawings you need, professionally prepared and ready for submission. We can also handle the entire planning application process for you if you prefer professional support.
Do I need an architect, or can I use your ready-made plans?
You don’t legally need an architect for planning permission – our ready-made plans are professionally prepared and suitable for planning applications. This approach offers several advantages:
– Significant cost savings compared to custom architectural services
– Faster start to your project
– Proven designs that comply with current regulations
– Free cosmetic amendments to personalize the design
However, for complex sites, listed buildings, or conservation areas, you might benefit from custom architectural input. We offer custom house plan services for situations where ready-made designs aren’t suitable.
What if my planning application is refused?
Planning refusal isn’t the end of your project. You have several options:
– Submit a revised application addressing the refusal reasons (most common approach)
– Appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate (must be done within 6 months)
– Seek pre-application advice to understand what would be acceptable
Many refusals are due to design issues that can be resolved with amendments. Since our designs include cosmetic amendments at no extra cost, we can often modify plans to address planning concerns about materials, window positions, or other design elements.
How do I know what I can build on my land?
Several factors determine what’s buildable on your site:
– Local planning policies and zoning
– Site constraints (flooding, trees, utilities)
– Neighbouring properties and privacy requirements
– Access and parking requirements
– Local design guidelines
We recommend starting with our pre-planning drawings to test your proposal with the local planning authority before committing to full plans.
What about building in conservation areas or near listed buildings?
These locations have additional planning requirements:
– Design must preserve or enhance the area’s character
– Materials and architectural details face closer scrutiny
– Consultation periods may be extended
– Some permitted development rights are removed
Our designs can be adapted for sensitive locations, and our planning application service includes experience with conservation area requirements.
How do your services help with planning permission?
We support you through the entire planning process:
– Pre-planning drawings (£5.99) for early local authority discussions
– Complete planning application drawing packages
– Free cosmetic amendments to address planning feedback
– Full planning application service handling submission and liaison
– Free 15-minute consultations to discuss your specific situation
Our 4.72-star rating from 92 reviews* reflects our customers’ success with planning applications using our services.
* Correct at the time of writing.