What’s included
in the plan?
What you get when you buy a LifeStage Home Design
LifeStage Home Plans are designed to be ready to build as they are. You simply find the plan that fits your needs, purchase it online, and download your PDF of the plans. Your designs are then ready for a builder to turn into your dream home* (and if you have modifications, we can help with that too – learn about modifications).
Your LifeStage Home Plan will include all the information and details a builder* would need to take the project from beginning to completion. All of our plans include:
- Floor Plans: The floor plan sheets show the layout of the house, which includes wall sizes, room dimensions, ceiling heights, window and door sizes and locations, fireplace location, kitchen cabinets, built-in shelves, desks, vanities and other design features.
- Exterior Elevations: Front, rear, right and left side elevations show the finishes for the building materials, such as siding, brick, stone, etc. This sheet also shows the type of roofing materials and decorative elements such as trim, columns and window shutters. Roof pitches and ceiling heights are also shown on the elevation sheet.
- Foundation Plan: This sheet shows the foundation wall location, footings, elevator shaft, etc. Please note: structural components will need to be sized and verified by a local engineer in your area.
- Roof Plan: This sheet shows a top view of the roof design, noting pitches, slopes, ridges, valleys, etc.
- Detail Sheet(s): These pages show typical methods for construction and our in-house details that explain LifeStage features of the home. For example, we’ll provide framing details for Curbless Showers, Stepless Garage Entry, Elevators, etc.
*PLEASE NOTE: Since we market and sell our house plans to a national audience, you will need to have your purchased plans reviewed by a licensed engineer, in your local area, who is familiar with the building codes and standard building practices in the location you intend to build your home.
If you have any questions about what’s included in a home design, feel free to contact us for more information.
Universal Design Features In LifeStage Home Plans
Home plans designed by LifeStage feature some or all of these features of universal design:
Barrier-Free Layouts
Open and spacious floor plans allow for easy living throughout the entire home, ensuring full usage by anyone, with any ability. View Plans
Main Level Master Bedroom
With the master bedroom on the first floor, you can comfortably live and age in place. View Plans
Curbless Shower
All of our plans specify a zero-entry shower. Which not only look great, but are safer and easier to access for everyone in the family. View Plans
Stacked Closets
Aligning closets now provides spacious, deep closets, as well as a simple way to add an elevator to the house later, if needed. View Plans
Stepless Entry
Forget handrails, wheelchair ramps or steps that prevent visitors. A house designed with a stepless entry ensures anyone can safely live in or visit your home. View Plans
Ease of Use
Whether you’re pushing a stroller, using a wheelchair, or moving furniture, you'll be free to navigate inside your home unobstructed. View Plans
The main tenant of universal design is access for everyone. LifeStage homes work for multiple generations, varying abilities and all ages. Build a home that’s practical and welcoming. Shop the home plans now.
Universal Design
The Financial Case for Universal Design Construction vs. Renovation
For many people, cost and value are top of mind when considering their next move. Build new or buy an existing home? Move or stay where you are and renovate? Building universal design homes aren’t appreciably more expensive than non-universal design new homes, but renovating later costs more than incorporating universal design into the construction of a new home. Read more to find out how incorporating universal design principles is both smart planning and smart financially.
Universal Design
The Financial Case for Universal Design Construction vs. Renovation
For many people, cost and value are top of mind when considering their next move. Build new or buy an existing home? Move or stay where you are and renovate? Building universal design homes aren’t appreciably more expensive than non-universal design new homes, but renovating later costs more than incorporating universal design into the construction of a new home. Read more to find out how incorporating universal design principles is both smart planning and smart financially.
Universal Design
Designing a home to serve big families
While multi-generational living is ingrained in many cultures and parts of the world, its rise in the United States is, by comparison, a new phenomenon. And while many single-family residences have enough square footage to accommodate extended families, most families discover they don’t work well for their needs unless they were designed (or renovated) with multi-generational living in mind. Find out more about the design choices that can make multi-generational living more comfortable.
Universal Design
Designing a home to serve big families
While multi-generational living is ingrained in many cultures and parts of the world, its rise in the United States is, by comparison, a new phenomenon. And while many single-family residences have enough square footage to accommodate extended families, most families discover they don’t work well for their needs unless they were designed (or renovated) with multi-generational living in mind. Find out more about the design choices that can make multi-generational living more comfortable.
Universal Design
What Today's Homeowners Want: Larger, Accessible Bathrooms
As homebuilders and contractors can tell you, demand is going up nationally for bathroom renovations—and the requests are usually that the bathrooms be bigger and more accessible. In other words, the rising trend in bathroom renovations is to use Universal Design principles—making large bathrooms that remain functional now and as homeowners age. With LifeStage Home Designs, you can build an accessible home now instead of renovating later.
Universal Design
What Today's Homeowners Want: Larger, Accessible Bathrooms
As homebuilders and contractors can tell you, demand is going up nationally for bathroom renovations—and the requests are usually that the bathrooms be bigger and more accessible. In other words, the rising trend in bathroom renovations is to use Universal Design principles—making large bathrooms that remain functional now and as homeowners age. With LifeStage Home Designs, you can build an accessible home now instead of renovating later.
