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Arcanna Homes - Panelized New Home Construction in NY, NJ, CT (914) 962-0700
Frequently Asked Questions
  What is a panelized home?
1. Where should I start?
2. Should I buy a lot first?
3. Should I hire an architect to design my home or buy from a plan service?
4. How do I go about picking a design?
5. What is the difference between a 1-story and 2-story home?
6. What is my new home going to cost per square foot?
7. What determines the cost of a new home?
8. What if I want to make changes to the design?
9. What is a 'vellum' as opposed to a 'blueprint' of a design?
10. Looking at a floor plan, how can I get a feel for how large a room will be?
11.
 Does the shown square footage include the garage?
12.
 Can I take a design from a plan book to a local draftsman and have him re-draft the entire plan?
13.
 Should I purchase the plan or should I let Arcanna Homes purchase the plan?
14.
 Is anyone who designs a home an architect?
15.
 What are building codes?
16. What are covenants?
17.
 What do I receive when I order a set of plans?
   
1.
Where should I start? [TOP]
 
Contact Arcanna Homes, pick a design and choose a lot. However, if you know little about the process of building a home, and feel nervous because it is your first time, it would be wise to first do some general research. Bookstores and libraries are also good places to find information on new construction. In addition, new home buyer seminars are very beneficial to consumers. And many metropolitan areas have home shows where the latest in home products are featured. Television programs such as "Home Time" or "This Old House" (found on public television stations or cable stations such as The Learning Channel) give a lot of basic consumer-oriented information on the construction process.
 
2.
Should I buy a lot first? [TOP]
 
If you find a specific lot that you are interested in and able to afford, it's probably best to buy it first. Then, you are guaranteed of the location of where you want to live.
 
3.
Should I hire an architect to design my home or buy from a plan service? [TOP]
 
Both provide the opportunity to get the dream home you desire. An architect designs the home "from scratch" to fit your specific needs. For many consumers, however,hiring an architect is too expensive. Plan services offer a wide variety of plans to choose from for a relatively low cost. And these plans can often be modified to fit buyers' needs. Arcanna Homes can supply you with a complete set of plans on many different home styles.
 
4.
How do I go about picking a design? [TOP]
 
First you have to analyze your situation - what you are looking for in a design and why. A good way to find out what you want, is to ask yourself questions about your needs, wants and desires in a new home. Also, visit local model homes to get a feel for room sizes, appliances, traffic flow from room to room, etc. Second, look through plan books or magazines to find a design that best suits you. There are a number of places to look for plan books. Arcanna Homes has a wide variety of plan books featuring unique designs, as well as other related products and services. Other places to look for plan books are bookstores, libraries and consumer publications, such as those found in supermarket newsstands. Local builders, real estate agents and lumberyards also have plan books available.
 
5.
What is the difference between a 1-story* and 2-story home? [TOP]
 

One-story homes (also called ranch and garden-level homes) are generally defined as homes with all living areas and bedrooms on one level (excluding basement). The definition of 1-story* home tends to differ, but Arcanna Homes defines them as having two levels, with at least one bedroom, usually the master suite, on the main level and the other bedrooms on the second level. Two-story homes are generally defined as homes with all the bedrooms located on the second level.

[*Note: Some designers and architects label any home with a second level as a "two-story" home.]
 
6.
What is my new home going to cost per square foot? [TOP]
 

Based on 2007 averages in our local area (Westchester), generally a new home with a moderate level of finish (including garage, porches and decks etc.) is going to cost about $125 - 150 per square foot depending on location plus the cost of the lot.

[*Note: The price of a new home in your area may be slightly or radically different. Check with Arcanna Homes for specifics.]
 
7.
What determines the cost of a new home? [TOP]
 
While there are many individual components that go into the cost of a new home, the three driving factors in the cost of a new home are the land costs, the material costs and labor costs. According to a recent article in Building Smart magazine, Jim Irvine, the 1995 president of the National Association of Home Builders said that a recent study estimates that of every dollar that goes into the cost of a new home, 41 cents is material and labor costs, 30 cents is the builder's profit, the bank loan and land fees, and 29 cents is the fees to local government and regulation costs.
 
8.
What if I want to make changes to the design? [TOP]
 

Arcanna Homes offers custom changes to plan designs for an additional fee. Consumers can also take their plans to a local draftsman to have changes made.

[*Note: 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 of derivative works. Any Attempt by others to claim copyright in derivative works would be a violation of federal copyright law.]
 
9.
What is a 'vellum' as opposed to a 'blueprint' of a design? [TOP]
 
Most people are familiar with blueprint paper which is a standard type of light-sensitive photographic paper (called diazo paper) that architectural plans are commonly printed on. Vellum is a type of transparent paper that home plans are more recently being printed on. A vellum's advantages are that it allows the lines of the floor plan to be erasable with an electric eraser, so changes can easily be made to the plan. Another benefit is that extra blueprint copies can be made directly from it.
 
10.
Looking at a floor plan, how can I get a feel for how large a room will be? [TOP]
 
One way, is to measure the rooms in your own home or apartment to understand approximate dimensions. This is also a good way to determine whether or not your current furnishings will fit in the home you want to build. Visiting model homes or other newly-built homes, is also a good way to get a feel for room sizes. Arcanna Homes will provide layouts of homes with the dimensions listed. In addition, Arcanna Homes offers a Study Print and Furniture Layout Guide for all home plan designs. This product has a complete 1/4"-scale floor plan (specific for each design #), with over 100 self-adhesive, reusable furniture pieces, also at 1/4"scale, to help buyers determine room sizes and plan furniture placement.
 
11.
Does the shown square footage include the garage? [TOP]
 
No. Generally, square footage is calculated as finished (dry-walled, painted, carpeted), "walkable" square footage. It would include footage from outside framed wall to outside framed wall (not including brick, siding, stucco etc.) and anywhere the floor joists would project, such as in a cantilevered (overhanging) bay window. A boxed (square projecting) window, however, would not be included. (Difference: The floor ends at the wall in a boxed window, but extends out in a cantilevered bay window.) Other things that are typically not included in a home's square footage are front, side or back porches, courtyards, patio, etc. Basements are also not included in the square footage unless they are finished. Bonus rooms over the garage are also typically not included in the square footage, although on many plans, such as Design Basics plans, that square footage is calculated and listed as optional.
 
12.
Can I take a design from a plan book to a local draftsman and have him re-draft the entire plan? [TOP]
 
No. It is a violation of federal copyright law to draft a plan based on the design ideas of a plan service. The copyright protection in each plan, for example, covers the design of the home as well as the plan itself. The consumer must purchase the design if they wish to legally build that home or make any changes to the design.
 
13.
Should I purchase the plan or should I let my Arcanna Homes purchase the plan? [TOP]
 
No matter who buys the plan, the home buyer will, in the end, probably pay for it. If Arcanna Homes buys the plan, we will include it in the price of your new home. The only difference between the consumer buying the plan and the Arcanna Homes buying the plan, is that whomever physically buys the plan has the licensed right to re-build the home as many times as they choose. If the consumer buys the plan, the consumer owns that right. Arcanna Homes would then not have the right to re-build that home unless we purchased another set of blueprints for that design.
 
14.
Is anyone who designs a home an architect? [TOP]
 
No. An architect is a licensed professional in the field of architecture. It is not a requirement in the United States that everyone who designs a home be an architect. However, many states require as a part of their local building codes, that before a home can be built, the blueprint must be stamped by an architect or engineer licensed in that state. There are many excellent home plan designers that are not architects. And all home plans, whether designed by an architect or not, must conform to local building codes before they are built.
 
15.
What are building codes? [TOP]
 
Building codes are safety regulations pertaining to how a building (commercial or residential) should be built. They are intended to protect both builders and consumers from building an unsafe structure. They deal with everything from nail spacing to handicap accessibility. Many restrictions, regulations and inspections are regionally required due to soil conditions, weather conditions, etc. There are three major nationally-recognized model building codes that are all very similar in content in the United States: UBC (Uniform Building Code); BOCA (Building Officials & Code Administrators); and CABO (Council of American Building Officials). Every state, county and local municipality has adopted some form of one, any or all of these standard building codes. Design Basics plans all conform to the Uniform Building Code.
 
16.
What are covenants? [TOP]
 
Covenants are rules and regulations set up by committees for certain subdivisions or areas of land development. These regulations are intended to protect property values of the homes built there. Examples of covenants might include regulations on how close homes can be to one another, lawn maintenance, or other rules such as, no satellite dishes, no cars parked in the yard, all brick elevations, etc.
 
17.
What do I receive when I order a set of plans? [TOP]
 

You receive a complete set of plans. Each set of plans includes the following:

COVER PAGE: Each home plan features the rendered elevation and floor plans, as well as informative reference sections, including general notes and design criteria, abbreviations and symbols for the plan.

ELEVATIONS: The elevations are drafted at 1/2" scale for the front and 1/8" scale for the rear and sides. All elevations are fully detailed showing materials used on the elevation. An aerial view of the roof plan is provided showing all hips, valleys and ridges for a more thorough understanding. Facia and railing sections are included when applicable.

FOUNDATIONS: Drafted at 1/4" scale, block foundations and basements are standard. Also shown are the suggested HVAC layout, structural information, steel beam and pole locations and the direction and spacing of the floor system.

MAIN LEVEL FLOOR PLAN: At 1/4" scale, the main level is fully dimensioned from stud to stud for ease of framing and is designed with standard 2 x 4 walls. The detailed drawings include such things as ceiling treatments, structural header locations,* flooring materials, framing layout, supply air locations and kitchen layout.

SECOND LEVEL FLOOR PLAN: At 1/4" scale, The second level is also dimensioned from stud to stud to the same degree of detail as the main level floor plan.*

INTERIOR ELEVATIONS: Useful during the bidding process, this page shows all the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as any other cabinet elevations. Also shown is the elevation of the fireplace face, designed to compliment the overall theme of the house.

SECTIONS & ELECTRICAL: Typical wall, cantilever, stair, brick and fireplace sections are provided to further explain the construction of these areas. The electrical plan shows suggested electrical layout for the foundation, main and second level floor plans.

Additional details and sections are referenced on the drawings. Though we note door and generic window sizes, plans do not specify manufacturer's products, allowing for individual preferences and local product availability.
Quality you can trust
• "We looked for 3 years before we found the perfect property for our family. Richie was so knowledgeable about all the regulations and we could not have done it without him. Thanks to Ralph too for supervising the construction process so professionally. I would recommend Arcanna Homes anytime!"
- Steven Craig, Fishkill, NY
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