What a house plan review actually is
A house plan review is a second set of trained eyes on your drawings before they become a building. A reviewer goes through the floor plan (and, in a deeper review, the elevations and roof) and flags anything that will cost you money, comfort or time once construction starts.
It sits between two things most people already know about. It is more than a friend glancing at your plan, because it follows a fixed checklist and ends in written, specific fixes. It is less than hiring an architect to redesign the house, because the goal is to improve the plan you already have — not start over.
What a professional review checks
A useful review is systematic. Ours runs every plan through 40+ checks grouped into eight areas:
| Area | Typical questions |
|---|---|
| Layout & flow | How much square footage is hallway? Does the entry make sense? Can you get groceries from the garage to the pantry without crossing the living room? |
| Room sizes & furniture fit | Does a king bed fit with walkway on both sides? Is the dining table blocking a door swing? Is the garage deep enough for a full-size truck? |
| Kitchen & baths | Is there at least 42″ between island and counters? Landing space beside the range and fridge? Toilet and shower clearances? |
| Code red flags | Does every bedroom have an escape-size window? Do the stairs, halls and doors meet common minimums? |
| Structure & buildability | Are there long spans with no bearing line? Do upper walls stack over lower ones? Will the roof be hard to frame? |
| Cost drivers | How many corners and roof intersections? Is there square footage you pay for but won't use? |
| Windows, doors & schedule | Are openings labeled in builder-standard sizes like (3) 2050 or 6080? Do sill heights clear counters and tubs? |
| Comfort & long-term living | West-facing glass, space for HVAC and water heater, main-floor living later in life. |
The full list is on our plan review page. If you want to run a first pass yourself, use our house plan checklist.
What you get back
A review is only as good as what it hands you. Ours delivers:
- A marked-up PDF of your plan with every issue circled and numbered on the drawing.
- Prioritized findings — each labeled Critical, Recommended or Cost-saver, with a specific fix.
- A Plan Review Summary rating six areas at a glance: space efficiency, construction complexity, cost efficiency, natural light, storage and builder clarity.
- Top 5 changes to make before construction, on one page.
- Builder-ready window and door callouts, so framers and suppliers order the right sizes.
The Complete Review adds elevations and exterior, roof and structural red flags, cost-saving alternatives, an approximate cost impact for each change, and written follow-up Q&A by email.
When to order a review
The best time is after you've picked a plan and before anyone prices it. In practice, people order one at five moments:
- Right after buying a stock plan — before paying for modifications. See stock house plan review.
- When a drafter delivers the first set — while revisions are still included.
- Before sending plans to builders, so every bid prices the same, clearly drawn house.
- Before submitting for permit, to catch red flags that trigger plan-check comments.
- When something feels off but you can't say what — a long hallway, a cramped kitchen, a garage that looks small.
Get a 14-category, state-adjusted construction cost estimate for your plan — total range free, full breakdown $19.99.
Estimate my build costWhat a house plan review costs
Pricing depends on how many sheets are reviewed and how deep the review goes.
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Our Quick Review | $99 | Floor plan, 10–15 annotated comments, summary and Top 5 changes |
| Our Complete Review | $249 | Floor plans + elevations, 25+ comments, roof and structural red flags, cost impact, written Q&A |
| Hourly consultation with a local design professional | Varies widely by market | Verbal feedback; written markup often extra |
| Redesign by an architect | Often a percentage of construction cost | New drawings, not a review of yours |
Compare that with the cost of fixing the same problem later. A single change order on site often costs more than the review. If you decide to have us fix what we find, the review fee is credited toward a plan revision or custom plan within 14 days.
What a plan review is not
A design review is not a permit approval, a structural engineering calculation or a stamped code review. Local codes vary, and your building department — and a locally licensed engineer or architect where required — has the final say. Read more in do house plans need an architect stamp?
What a review does is catch the problems that are obvious to someone who draws houses every week and invisible to someone seeing their first plan set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a house plan review take?
Our reviews are delivered within 3 business days of your order, or within 2 business days with Rush (+$79).
What files do I need?
A PDF or clear photos of your floor plans. For a Complete Review, include the elevations too. Up to 6 files, 25 MB each.
Can you review plans from any source?
Yes — stock plans from online stores, Etsy sellers, independent drafters, designers and builders.
Is a plan review the same as a permit review?
No. It is an advisory design review. It flags common code red flags based on the International Residential Code, but it does not replace your local plan check or a stamped review.
What if the review finds nothing?
If we cannot identify at least 5 actionable recommendations for your plan, we refund your review fee in full.