Richardson TX: looking for copy of building plans (Dallas: 2015, houses)

[zeromaster]

Greetings all,

New member of the forum. I'm wondering if anyone in the Dallas area of the forums knows how to go about getting a copy of the plans for the home I'm in (second owner, University Estates, Jupiter/Arapaho area). I've contacted the city secretary with a formal request, but not expecting much traction. Some of my colleagues at work have suggested avenues like the appraisal district (suspect it's only tract/building outlines) and even the dig test companies.

Any idea who would have been building homes in that area in the mid-70s? Contemporaries of people like Fox & Jacobs are what I'm thinking of. While they're unlikely to still be in business, I'm wondering if construction plans are required to be maintained from a records perspective. I'd like to get a copy if it's possible and not outrageously expensive.

Any and all constructive ideas welcomed.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by zeromaster

Greetings all,

New member of the forum. I'm wondering if anyone in the Dallas area of the forums knows how to go about getting a copy of the plans for the home I'm in (second owner, University Estates, Jupiter/Arapaho area). I've contacted the city secretary with a formal request, but not expecting much traction. Some of my colleagues at work have suggested avenues like the appraisal district (suspect it's only tract/building outlines) and even the dig test companies.

Any idea who would have been building homes in that area in the mid-70s? Contemporaries of people like Fox & Jacobs are what I'm thinking of. While they're unlikely to still be in business, I'm wondering if construction plans are required to be maintained from a records perspective. I'd like to get a copy if it's possible and not outrageously expensive.

Any and all constructive ideas welcomed.

My survey has details of the plot and the house's footprint, but I do not have any detailed architectural plans of my house. I wouldn't know where to go to get them either.

I would assume that at some point in the past, plans would have had to be provided to the City of Richardson in order for a construction permit to be issued to build the house.

Honestly, that is where I would begin. Don't just assume they won't help you. They may not get it to you right this second and it might not be free, but they are the most likely people to have what you're looking for.

[Rakin]

Building plans are copyrighted and seldom give to a buyer. If they are given to the buyer, they tend to get lost over the years.

There really is no place to get old plans.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Building plans are copyrighted and seldom give to a buyer. If they are given to the buyer, they tend to get lost over the years.

There really is no place to get old plans.

Could an architect draw them?

[zeromaster]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Just to clarify: (a) I am hoping for some sort of answer from the city secretary, but won't be surprised if they have nothing after 40 years, and (b) there is no urgency to the request; being the second owner, I would not expect to get anything for free.

Having an architect reverse engineer the structure is not an option I'd consider in any case (guaranteed $$$). I've been gradually building up a CAD drawing of the property myself over time. Knowing where the drain and water lines are supposed to be is one of my primary motivations; I can work out most of the rest. Regarding the city, this code department is the same one that overlooked the original Federal Pacific load box (long since replaced), a floor p-trap in the laundry room, and the substandard joists in the garage (both being fixed). Granted that was mid-50s building codes back then, but still.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Could an architect draw them?

There are companies that can measure and draw up a rough set of plans.

The OP needs to get a tape measure and a sheet of graphic paper. In 30 minutes they could draw up the basic floor plan.

It's very simple in a small 1 story Fox & Jacobs style house.

[TheOverdog]

There are also Iphone apps which will measure your rooms and build a rough floorplan of your house. Never used them myself, but I've heard they work ok.

this code department is the same one that overlooked the original Federal Pacific load box (long since replaced), a floor p-trap in the laundry room, and the substandard joists in the garage

Building codes were way weaker back then. These were all legal. My house built in 1970 has a p-trap in the cement slab for the laundry. It's very common.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by zeromaster

Thanks for the feedback so far. Just to clarify: (a) I am hoping for some sort of answer from the city secretary, but won't be surprised if they have nothing after 40 years, and (b) there is no urgency to the request; being the second owner, I would not expect to get anything for free.

Having an architect reverse engineer the structure is not an option I'd consider in any case (guaranteed $$$). I've been gradually building up a CAD drawing of the property myself over time. Knowing where the drain and water lines are supposed to be is one of my primary motivations; I can work out most of the rest. Regarding the city, this code department is the same one that overlooked the original Federal Pacific load box (long since replaced), a floor p-trap in the laundry room, and the substandard joists in the garage (both being fixed). Granted that was mid-50s building codes back then, but still.

Yeah...building codes were different back when your house was built.

Houses built back then are grandfathered in because it would be very expensive for owners of older homes to continuously bring them entirely up to code over the decades. It would put people off buying them and the inner ring suburbs would simply die off. It makes no sense. (I bet you you'd find building code violations in brand-new builds, too.)

My house had a Federal Pacific stab-lok box when I bought it. I had it changed out before I moved in. The hot water heater wasn't up to current code, the wiring wasn't up to current code (2-wire copper, no ground wire), plumbing wasn't up to current code, etc. There's even asbestos in the attic. The city can't make me change all of that at once.

I had my hot water heater replaced in 2009 prior to moving into the house. I had to have that one replaced again in early 2015, and codes had changed between '09 and '15. So, the new one is up to current code because that is required by the city.

The city didn't "overlook" anything. And your inspector highlighted those deficiencies in your inspection report, I'm sure. It doesn't mean your house is about to fall down or blow up.

[Rakin]

Besides being copyrighted, one of the reasons builders do not give out plans on new construction is because they make changes as homes are being built. It prevents lawsuits when plans don't exactly match the construction.

I've only seen true blueprints of homes on Custom Built homes or when the owner has picked up a loose copy on the jobsite.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Besides being copyrighted, one of the reasons builders do not give out plans on new construction is because they make changes as homes are being built. It prevents lawsuits when plans don't exactly match the construction.

I've only seen true blueprints of homes on Custom Built homes or when the owner has picked up a loose copy on the jobsite.

I understand that. But it would be pretty neat to have a blueprint of my own house.