Category: Uncategorized

Building a Home? Discover Why Frank Betz Associates is the Best Choice for Your House Plan Needs

Uncategorized

Expertly Crafted House Plans to Meet Your Unique Needs

Here at Frank Betz Associates, Inc., we have been specializing in custom and stock house plans since 1980. Our team of experts are dedicated to provide trendsetting, award-winning house plans that meet the highest standards in residential design. Our goal is to create home plans that not only meet the needs and expectations of our clients but exceed them. Whether you are looking for a traditional Craftsman-style home or a modern farmhouse, we can help you find the perfect house plan to fit your needs.

Innovation in Residential Design: Staying Ahead of the Curve

We take pride in staying ahead of the curve when it comes to design trends. Our team is constantly researching new materials, technologies, and design concepts to ensure our house plans are innovative and unique. Our commitment to innovation has resulted in numerous awards and accolades over the years. When you choose Frank Betz, you can trust that you’re getting a house plan that’s not only functional but also high quality and straightforward to build.

The Importance of a Well-Designed House Plan for Your Home Investment

We understand that building a home is a significant investment, and at the foundation of that asset is the home plan. A good floor plan is essential to the whole building process, as it sets the stage for everything that follows. It determines the layout, flow, and functionality of the home, and it can have a significant impact on the final product.

A well-designed house plan can ensure that the home meets the needs and expectations of the occupants, and it can even add value to the property. Conversely, a poorly designed house plan can lead to a host of problems, from cramped spaces and inefficient layouts to costly construction mistakes and delays.

Enhance Your Living Space with Thoughtful Floor Plan Features

Our attention to detail is a key factor in our success. We take pride in creating home plans that are both beautiful and practical, with floor plan features that enhance the comfort and convenience of the home. We believe every detail matters and recognize that each client has unique needs and preferences. This is why we strive to ensure that our house plans are designed to accommodate many different lifestyles. In addition, we also offer modification services allowing for additional customization when needed. Every detail matters to us, and we work tirelessly to ensure that our clients end up with the perfect plan.

Unmatched Customer Service: Guiding You Through the House Plan Process

Finally, our commitment to customer service is second to none. We understand that choosing the perfect house plan can be daunting, and we are here to help. If you have specific requirements for your home plan, you can email them to cs@frankbetz.com, and our team will carefully select and reply with a list of house plans that meet your needs. We are always available to answer any questions you may have and to provide guidance and support throughout the entire process.

In conclusion, when it comes to building a home, the importance of a good house plan cannot be overstated. It is the foundation of the investment, and it can make all the difference in the final product. If you are looking for a provider of custom and stock house plans that is committed to quality, innovation, and customer service, look no further than Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create the home of your dreams.

Which Are Better: Custom Home Plans or Stock Home Plans?

Uncategorized

While there’s no place like home, the truth is, there’s no place like YOUR home. Which begs the question: What is YOUR home? More specifically, what’s in your home? Are you satisfied to take an existing plan and tweak it a little or do you have a wish list that will only be fulfilled by a custom design? Let’s have a little tutorial about custom home plans and stock home plans.

what are stock home plans

What Are Stock Home Plans?

Stock home plans are pre-designed plans that have been developed by professional designers/architects/engineers to appeal to a wide variety of homebuyers. Rest assured that pre-designed plans are produced with equal care and expertise as custom plans. These plans usually include the most requested features sought in a new home. Such features include common room sizes, traditional layouts, and in-demand amenities.

The benefits of purchasing stock house plans include:

Saving Time. Designing a custom home takes time. Compared to the process of designing a custom home, sifting through stock floor plans is a breeze. Before you even look at them, you can rest assured that the plans have already been reviewed to ensure they are structurally sound and safe. Consequently, you can begin construction more quickly.

Cost-Effectiveness. No two ways about it: building a custom home is expensive. Many homebuyers don’t know that thousands of dollars go into design and development. With stock house plans, however, the design and development process is already complete. While stock plans may not meet all your requirements, the lower pricing allows some wiggle room for modifications or customization. Thus, stock home plans are an incredibly cost-effective way to build a new home.

Variety. Stock house plans are available in a variety of styles, from Craftsman to Country to Cape Cod, and are designed to meet many different specifications. With such a broad selection to choose from, you can really get a feel for what you like and don’t like before making any final decisions.

Personalization. Our designers are able to make frequently requested modifications without a lot of extra fuss. This means if you can’t find plans that are exactly what you want, you can easily customize your home plans to meet your family’s needs.

Long-term value. Homes built using stock house plans feature room arrangements and other amenities that appeal to the general population, which can make the home easier to sell. These plans have proven value since they have been purchased, built, and resold throughout the country.

custom vs stock house plans

A Comparison of the Two Floor Plans

At Frank Betz Associates, our goal is to help you find a home you’ll love for years to come. In order to do that, you need to find the perfect floor plan. As you compare plans, you’ll want to consider square footage, style, and layout. Finding the plan that fits your needs may involve comparing stock plans and custom plans. Here are some of the essentials of stock plans vs. custom plans.

CUSTOM HOUSE PLANS

Get exactly what you want. Working with Frank Betz Associates, you help decide on the size and style of your home. You can request specific features and personal touches, too.

Design to suit your land. The home can be designed to accommodate specific elements or features on the property such as a sloping lot or rocky ground.

Consider the expense. Custom-drawn plans are costly when compared to stock house plans. The larger the home plan, the more design time it will take, resulting in more expense.

Timeframe. If you have a strict timeline or have a projected move-in date, think about how much time it will take to design and develop your plan. Starting from scratch can be a rather lengthy process. Do you have time to wait?

Communication skills. You need to communicate well. It is vital that you can express thoughts and ideas easily to your designer. You do not want to waste time and money due to miscommunications.

Ensure your new home meets code. Drawing a plan from scratch allows us to include all structural elements to meet building codes.

Many decisions & choices. If making decisions is not your cup of tea, you may find this process tedious. You will have to answer seemingly endless questions about the layout, room sizes, exterior details and trim, special features, design elements, etc.

STOCK HOUSE PLAN

Quality & variety. The varied designs offered in stock plans have already been approved by many builders and/or homebuyers. There’s something to be said for that kind of peace of mind.

The same but different. Because they are stock plans, it is almost certain someone else has already built that house. While you may never see this same home, you’ll always know your home is not unique.

Budget-friendly. From selection and quality to convenience, stock plans mean you can get what you want without paying too much. Local laws may not require an architect’s seal on house plans, therefore the costs can be less than fees for “sealed plans”. Check with your local building department to verify whether or not your plans require an architect’s or engineer’s seal.

Flexibility. Even if it’s a ready-made design, some minor modifications can still be made fairly easily to a stock plan. Note that while you can make minor changes to a stock plan, they are not extensively customizable. The plan may work now, but it may not address what you need in the future.

Timeline. Since there is no development and design time, your stock home plans will be available quickly.

Local building codes. Every time a stock plan is built, it may need to be adjusted to local building codes. Stock plans may need to be modified accordingly.

Easy & straightforward. Since the designs are already done, there are fewer meetings and decisions to worry about. Easier on the budget – and the blood pressure!

Connect with Frank Betz Associates Today!

Whether you choose a stock home plan or a custom home plan, a Frank Betz plan is a good investment. Frank Betz Associates is an excellent resource for house plans that appeal to all kinds of homebuyers. Call, email, or visit us online for questions and information about our house plans.

Tour These Popular House Plans Virtually

Uncategorized

Our 3D Walkthroughs are interactive videos that allow you to “walk” through our house plans virtually. You control the tour and can visit every room, view every angle, even peer into bathrooms and out of windows. Zoom in and out to see rooms from the exact view you’d like, and quickly jump from room to room. You can even take measurements to determine if your furniture will fit in the space. If you have access to a VR headset, you can even see these homes in virtual reality.

We know how much time it takes to shop for a house plan and find one that you love, but we understand that life is incredibly busy. These 3D walkthroughs go a step beyond normal renderings or 2D illustrations and allow you to see every aspect of a home completely on your terms. They are the next best thing to a physical walk-through.

Here are three of our most popular house plans that you view virtually, right now!

Blantons Trace

4 BEDROOMS | 3.5 BATHS | 2,073 SQ FT

2-Car Garage

Vaulted Porch + Outdoor Dining Area

2nd Floor Bonus Room with Built-Ins

Chelsea Walk

5 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHS | 3,008 SQ FT

Wide, covered front porch

Optional 2nd floor bonus room

Formal dining room

Vaulted covered back porch

Covered outdoor dining area

Embry Hills

4 BEDROOMS | 3.5 BATHS | 2,601 SQ FT

1st Floor Guest Suite

Vaulted Screened Back Porch

Optional 2nd Floor Bonus Room

Walk-in Closets in All Upstairs Bedrooms

If you’re interested in seeing more virtual 3D Walkthroughs like these, or you’re interested in learning about customization options for any of the homes you’ve seen, please contact us and we’d be happy to send you more information!

Single-Use License House Plans Now Offered in Digital Format

Uncategorized

At Frank Betz Associates, we strive to provide the best service to our customers, and seek to save them time and resources by delivering trend-setting, award-winning house plans that meet or exceed end users’ expectations. To that end, we are making a change from printed to digital single-use license house plans that will create more efficiencies in our customers’ building processes.

What’s Changing?

For single-use license house plans, we currently offer customers 5 to 8 printed copies of the plan that cannot be reproduced. The customers can only build one house from that plan.

Going forward, we will offer single-use license house plans as PDF documents that come with a single-use license.

Why the Change?

Many counties now require house plans to be submitted digitally for building approval. Previously, customers could submit a paper copy, which they would not receive back.

With single-use license PDF documents, customers can submit a digital copy of the plan to the county, making that part of the building process easier and quicker. If a customer needs printed sets from the PDF, they can order them from Frank Betz Associates, or have copies made at their local print shop. Only one house can be built, no matter how many sets of copies are made.

What’s NOT changing?

Usage of multi-use PDF house plans and CADD files will remain the same. If a customer purchases a multi-use PDF or CADD file, they can build the house as many times as they like.

We believe this change to digital-only house plans will result in easier management of house plans for our customers, creating more efficiencies, saving them time and money.

If you have any questions about house plan formats, please contact us.

Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in Your New Home

Uncategorized

Before long, family and friends will gather to share laughs, recount stories, and of course, indulge in Thanksgiving fare. With an abundance of room to relax, a new Frank Betz Associates home is the perfect space to host the big meal. Can you smell those festive flavors floating through your gourmet kitchen yet?

If this is your first time hosting Thanksgiving in your beautiful new home, all you need is a little preparation and you’re on your way to your best holiday yet. Take a look at our recipe for a smooth, easy dinner party:

Plan Out the Meal

We all know that organization is key, so a concrete plan will help you visualize your evening. Grab your computer or a notebook and make notes about the following:

How many people will you be serving?
Are there any dietary restrictions?
Which recipes can you make ahead?
Which recipes should be prepared the day of?
Which dishes will family members or friends prepare?
Is there something new you particularly want to serve?

Pro Tip: If you’re a first-timer, start off slow (especially if you’re not a veteran chef). Enlist your family and friends to help out with cooking and choose easy-to-follow recipes. By the way, there’s nothing wrong with buying components of your dinner from a restaurant or market. If this is the best option for you, you can always bake a simple dessert or put together a cheese board appetizer.

Getting a clear idea of what you want your meal to be like helps to alleviate stress. After all, Thanksgiving is about family, graciousness, and relaxing, so take the time to enjoy it!

Freshen Up Your Home

From seasonal table settings and a beautiful, festive centerpiece, to flowers and hors d’oeuvres in your spacious living room before the meal, there are so many ways to get creative. Freshen up your open interior by dusting, vacuuming, polishing silverware, fluffing cushions and pillows, and wiping down tables.

Most importantly, you don’t have to bend over backwards to fill your abundant space with festive flair. In fact, little touches (like painted pumpkins on your front step or entryway table) sometimes make the biggest impact. Scented candles are a timeless go-to — whether you opt for aromas like pumpkin chai or cedarwood and mahogany, this simple addition spreads happiness throughout your entire home.

Prepare For Post-Dinner

Of course, your focus will be on the fun of the big meal, but a few simple touches here and there will ensure that post-dinner will be just as easy and enjoyable as the dinner itself. Empty the dishwasher and trash bins to prepare for cleanup, and line your trash bins with more than one bag so that you have a fresh one ready to go when the first becomes full. Finally, stow any fragile items that children might get to.

Start the Party in a New Home

Last but not least, give your guests something to smile about as soon as they walk in with a festive drink. Whether you love warm, cider-based drinks, something fruity and fizzy, or classic wine with a kick, there’s a holiday cocktail out there to start the fun.

This Cranberry Champagne Cocktail is easy to make, fun to sip, and absolutely beautiful. All you need is cranberry juice, lime wedges, frozen cranberries, and Champagne or sparkling wine. Chill the flutes, add a squeeze of lime and cranberry juice, fill the flutes with your desired amount of alcohol, and finish off with 3-4 cranberries. Prepare these drinks ahead of time so everyone receives a “party favor” when they walk in.

From all of us at Frank Betz Associates, happy early Thanksgiving!

Trend Spotlight: Laundry Access From Master Bathroom

Have you ever browsed a house plan that seemed contemporary and stylish… but not quite the right fit for you? At Frank Betz Associates, we don’t just hold our new home design plans to the highest standards of construction and design — we hold our knowledge of what you want to the highest standards as well.

No matter how small, a desirable home trend can make all the difference in the look and feel of a living space. This week, we want to highlight a home feature that we’re proud to incorporate into our plans: laundry access from the master bathroom. Take a look at how this unique shift in design enhances the way you live every day:

In a house plan like Lavista Park, you and your partner don’t have to lug laundry up the stairs to get it done. With a laundry room conveniently placed off of your gorgeous master bathroom, you can simply throw your clothes into the wash in the morning after getting ready or in the evenings while unwinding. Imagine: after soaking in that luxurious tub, you would only have to walk a few steps to get your laundry… not up the stairs.

Having your laundry close to your bedroom, as opposed to on a separate floor or near the kitchen, makes a lot of sense. Easy access means less hassle — and who wouldn’t want to take the hassle out of doing laundry? After a load is finished, all you have to do is fold is up and take it right into your bedroom. And if you’re not a fan of laundry baskets, no problem; taking “trips” to and from your laundry room is as easy as can be.

If you have a growing family or are planning to start one, laundry days become more frequent than ever before. With your laundry room an entire floor away from your children’s rooms upstairs, you never have to worry about a late-night load of laundry waking anyone up. Especially when you have a newborn, you’ll want as much sleep as possible, which means keeping them far from your washer and dryer will work wonders for everyone.

At Frank Betz Associates, we pride ourselves on creating house plans that live the way that you do. If you’re ready to move into a home that caters to your modern design preferences and personal needs, we’re right behind you. For more information about our house plans, please call 888-717-3003. We can’t wait to meet you!

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING YOUR MASTER SUITE

Besides the kitchen, the master suite is considered one of the most important areas of a home. It’s where you’ll be spending a good portion of your life, not only because it’s where you and your significant other sleep, but where you get ready for the day ahead. Taking the time to design a master suite that best fits your needs is well worth the effort. With a few design tips outlined in this article, you’ll be on the right path to creating a well-planned master suite.

The matter of privacy
Because your master suite will act as a retreat from the hectic world, a sense of privacy should be woven into the design. Positioning these rooms near the back of the home and/or on the upper story is recommended. The privacy issue also comes in to play when locating windows and doors. Yes, you can add curtains or blinds, but it’s comforting to be able to dress and undress freely without having to worry about putting on a show for the neighbors.

The size is right
The master suite most commonly consists of the largest bedroom and bathroom in the house.
Larger walk-in closets and sitting rooms are also popular features for these areas. When designing your home’s floorplan, assigning a generous percentage of the square footage for the master suite is advised. One should also consider the furniture that will go in these rooms. The size of the bed, dressers and sitting room chairs can help determine the amount of space needed.

Closet space. More is more.
One of the most attractive features of a well-designed master suite is ample closet space. If the square footage is available, including two walk-in closets is the best course. This allows enough room for both occupants to keep their individual wardrobes. A master suite with two walk-in closets is also a huge advantage when selling your home.

Bathroom zen
While the rest of your home’s bathrooms are purely functional in nature, the master suite bathroom can be extraordinary. Beyond function, this bathroom can be a place of relaxation.
Double sink vanities, spa tubs and steam showers are just a few examples of luxurious master suite amenities.

Laundry convenience
Since the master suite is usually inhabited by two people, it will generate a significant amount of clothing and bedding. To conveniently handle the cleaning and upkeep of these items, designing easy access to the laundry is suggested. If the master suite is on the second floor and the laundry room on the first, a laundry shoot is a feature that can aid the accessibility and save time.

Every great home should have a master suite to match. As your own personal escape from the busy world, it should include the space and amenities that will enable both functionality and relaxation. As much if not more than any room in your home, the master suite should be a reflection of your style with the space and features that will complement the home as a whole.