House plan checklist: 40 things to check before you build

How to use this checklist

Print your floor plan at a known scale, get a pencil and a tape measure, and go through each group below. Mark anything you can't answer with confidence — those are the questions to take to your designer, builder or a professional plan review.

A good trick: walk through an ordinary day on paper. Wake up, get the kids out, come home with groceries, do laundry, host six people for dinner. Every time you bump into something, write it down.

Layout and flow (1–8)

• 1. Hallways are under about 10% of the total floor area.
• 2. The garage or side entry leads into a mudroom or drop zone, not straight into the kitchen.
• 3. Groceries can go from car to pantry without crossing the living room.
• 4. The primary suite is separated from secondary bedrooms if you want privacy.
• 5. Bathrooms don’t open directly onto the kitchen or dining area.
• 6. The front door opens to a real entry, not into the middle of the living room.
• 7. Laundry is close to where clothes are worn and stored.
• 8. You can see the main living and outdoor areas from the kitchen.

Room sizes and furniture fit (9–15)

• 9. Your actual bed fits with at least 24–30″ of walkway on each side.
• 10. The dining table fits with 36″ or more behind each chair.
• 11. Sofas and TV walls aren’t interrupted by doors or windows.
• 12. Closets are at least 24″ deep for hanging clothes.
• 13. Door swings don’t hit each other, furniture or cabinets.
• 14. The garage is deep enough for your largest vehicle plus walking room.
• 15. No room is oversized for how you’ll use it.

Kitchen and baths (16–22)

• 16. At least 42″ between island and counters (48″ with two cooks).
• 17. Landing counter beside the range, fridge and sink.
• 18. The dishwasher door doesn’t block a walkway or the fridge.
• 19. The pantry is near the kitchen and the entry from the car.
• 20. Toilets have about 15″ from center to walls or fixtures and 21″+ clear in front.
• 21. Showers are at least 30×30″ inside; 36×36″ or larger is more comfortable.
• 22. Plumbing walls are stacked or shared where possible to save cost.

Code red flags (23–28)

• 23. Every bedroom has an emergency escape window or door.
• 24. Stairs: risers no more than about 7¾″, treads at least 10″, headroom 6′8″, width 36″.
• 25. Hallways are at least 36″ wide.
• 26. Ceiling heights in habitable rooms are at least 7′.
• 27. The wall and door between garage and house are planned as a separation.
• 28. Landings are shown at exterior doors and at the top and bottom of stairs.

Common IRC escape opening minimums: 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening (5.0 sq ft at grade floor), at least 24″ high and 20″ wide, with the sill no more than 44″ above the floor.

Structure and cost drivers (29–34)

• 29. Upper-floor walls stack over lower-floor walls.
• 30. No unexplained long spans without a beam or bearing line.
• 31. The roof has as few valleys and intersections as the look allows.
• 32. The footprint has few corners and bump-outs (each adds foundation, framing and siding).
• 33. Window count and very large glass are intentional, not accidental.
• 34. The total square footage matches your budget — check with a cost estimate.

Windows, doors and long-term living (35–40)

• 35. Windows and doors are labeled in builder-standard sizes, e.g. (3) 2050 or 6080.
• 36. Window sill heights clear counters, tubs and furniture.
• 37. Matching windows on both sides of the front door where the elevation needs them.
• 38. West-facing glass is limited or shaded.
• 39. There is a place for the water heater, HVAC, panel and attic access.
• 40. A primary suite and full bath on the main floor if you plan to stay long term.

Checked all 40 and still unsure? That's normal. The hardest problems to spot are the ones you don't know to look for — which is why our plan review runs every plan through the same list, plus the judgment of a team that draws houses every week.