How to obtain the blueprints? (house, plan, addition, architects)

[PokerMunkee]

I'm closing on a house next month. I'd like to have the blueprints for some remodels I have planned. Current owner doesn't have them and said the county doesn't either (she works for the county). Current owner also does not know who built/designed the house (she is second owner). The house was built in 1985.

Any other ideas on how to find the original blueprints? My realtor is going to ask his parents, who have lived in our town forever and are also realtors, to see if they remember who built it.

Looking for some fresh ideas....

[2bindenver]

was it a production built or a custom?

[Narfcake]

Architects and builders are even less likely to have had copies from that long ago, so if the municipal doesn't have them on paper or microfilm, I would have to say that the only solution is to recreate them.

Unless you're remodeling every single aspect, it's not like it has to be in perfect detail to get a permit.

[MMichelle]

I've never known a case where one needs the orginal blueprints to do remodel or additions. I understand they would be handy but not needed. You could always get a draftman to draw something up for you.

You might check the tax records to determine who the orginal builder was. Then, try to contact the builder, etc. I have to say it's a long shot.

[stevep]

Check with the building permits department. The original builder would have needed a permit to build the house.

[chet everett]

Long shot, but a few areas have multiple layers of government -- local municipality might have copies in building dept or even fire protection district, as well as assesor.