Perpetual Work in Progress

This is by no means a substitute for a professionally measured plan if you are having work done on your home as this is more a graphic representation of what your home looks like, but it will allow you to provide a floor plan for schematic design, insurance purposes (when combined with photos), or as a vehicle to help you sell your house (or if you’re an agent, your clients house).

If you are an out of work Architect, you can always offer floor plans to real estate agents or home sellers.  If there are enough people offering floor plans of their homes for sale, the real estate floor plan industry will build itself.

in the near future, the fire department could have this info in their computer so when there is a fire in the home, they will have the current floor plans for reference.  I previously had similar information on my forsalefloorplans.com website but thought to bring it over here for cross referencing and tailor it for someone who wants to make their own (and the other website is a really bad Publisher site that I made almost 2 yrs ago). So without further ado…

Creating Residential Floor Plans

With What?

Architects typically use a CAD program that allows them to draw with lines, walls, doors, windows, and other features that make it quick and efficient for them, but Jack and Jane Homeowner typically don’t have this software at their disposal.  Before you run out and buy it, I would suggest you try out the following sources for free online software.  Each has its own positive and negative aspects, but all of them will allow you to get some sort plan down so you can then output to paper, PDF, or jpeg. (more on that later)

Autodesk Dragonfly

Smartdraw

Floorplanner

Sketchup (Added 4/13)

Otherwise you can always use graph paper.  I have some I created online HERE- and then saved to PDF.  If you want to just go to the PDF you can click here to download mine.  Each square represents a square dimension, you just count off the boxes after you measure to get the distance you need.  Typically the most accurate you could be on a plan like this is 1/2 or 1/3 of a box which is 3″, 6″, or 9″- write down the dimension afterwards along the wall so you know the exact dimension if you need it.  Sometimes its easier to get everything written down in sketch form on graph paper and then going back to a CAD or online floor plan program to transfer the information to the computer.  If you choose to take this route, dimension everything on the sketched plan that you can so you can reference it later.

Starting the drawing:  The Shell

Measure the overall footprint of the residence from the outside.  Include all angles, bays, etc.  If this is an apartment or condo, this step can be skipped.  You may want to include driveway dimensions, patio dimensions, and any porches, stoops or adjacent walkways or other residences within 10′ of your home.  I typically assume a thickness for exterior walls just to generalize.  6″ for frame, 10″ for masonry/frame, and 16″ for solid masonry.  This is just for representational purposes and you are more than welcome to measure the wall thickness at a door opening if you wish.

The Basic Interior Layout

Begin to locate rooms on your sheet starting at the front door working in a counterclockwise fashion.  Get the overall dimension of the rooms first, then go back and add any detail like bumpouts, closets, dormers, fireplaces, or other unique features.  I typically show interior walls at 4 or 5″ but if you want to be more exact you can measure them.  Curved and angled walls are more difficult so if possible save those until last.

Locating Doors and Windows

Sketch the window, door, or other opening onto the plan in its approximate location and dimension from the edge of the opening to the nearest corner of the room. Then inside the opening or just above it state its overall dimension edge to edge of the opening. Note that interior doors are typically 32″ or 34″. This is from hinge plate to latch plate. It helps to indicate bifold or other unique doors, but in some floor plans doors are left out all together and openings are just shown in their place.

Fixtures and Equipment

Show kitchen and bath fixtures as they exist in the space. Width and depth are important to get the footprint so you know how much area they take up in the space. Locate any HVAC, water heaters, washer/dryers or other equipment that you want to shown on the plan.

Vanities and countertops

Since this isn’t an exact representation of the floor plan, I typically draw vanities at 22″ deep with kitchen counters and other worksurfaces at 24″ deep. Dimension any kitchen islands or other shelving you would like to see in the plan. If its an island, dimension in two directions its distance from an adjacent wall or countertop.

Other unique features

If you have more than one story, you will definitely be showing the stairs.  Locate and draw them on all floors.  If there is something else of importance you would like to note on the drawing please do so.  I have shown radiators, trees, and shelving for some homes.  The more information you provide the better others will be able to understand the space.  I have even located skylights or overhead ceiling plan changes where I thought it would help.

Output

Once you are satisfied you have a good drawing, you will want to output it to some sort of file to be viewed by others.  The two primary file types are PDF and jpeg.  Most people dont have the ability to print to PDF, but almost anyone can save a jpeg.  Figure out what format the website will let you output to and do it.  If there is no opportunity to output you can always use Ctl/Alt/Printscreen and copy the topmost window you have open.  Once you do that you can take it into a photo editing program and crop it down and save it as a jpeg.  The main drawback is that the image quality is not as good.

If this is too much for you, there are many people out there that will be more than happy to draw the floor plan for you.  If this is the only plan you will be doing, consistency is not a huge issue, but if you are a real estate agent, you will probably want to choose someone who will have consistent measurements and graphics across multiple homes.  I am always available for comments or questions, feel free to contact me HERE.  As a floor plan provider I can offer much more than just a 2 dimensional plan of your home.

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Tags: asbuilt floor plans, floor plan measuring, for sale floor plans, real estate agent floor plan