How To Find Original House Plans

How To Find Original House Plans: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you're a homeowner looking to renovate or a contractor planning an addition, having access to the original house plans is essential. These documents provide valuable information about the structure, layout, and systems of your home.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of finding original house plans, from checking with the local government to searching online.

1. Check with the Local Government

The first step in finding original house plans is to contact the local government office responsible for building permits. This is typically the city or county building department.

When you contact the building department, be prepared to provide the following information:

The address of the property
The year the house was built
The name of the original owner

The building department may have the original house plans on file. If they do, they may be able to provide you with copies for a fee.

2. Search Online

If the local government does not have the original house plans, you can try searching for them online. There are a number of websites that offer access to historical building plans.

Some popular websites for finding original house plans include:

The Library of Congress
The National Archives
The Historic American Buildings Survey

When searching online, be sure to use keywords that are specific to your house. This may include the address, the year it was built, and the name of the original owner.

3. Contact the Original Builder

If you are unable to find the original house plans through the local government or online, you can try contacting the original builder of the home.

The original builder may have a copy of the plans on file. If they do, they may be willing to provide you with copies for a fee.

4. Hire a Professional

If you are unable to find the original house plans through any of the above methods, you may need to hire a professional to help you.

A professional can help you research the history of your home and locate the original plans.

Conclusion

Finding original house plans can be a challenge, but it is possible. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of success.

Once you have found the original house plans, you will have a valuable resource that will help you with any renovation or addition projects you may have.