Where to find original building plans

How to search 4. How to search for the plans and drawings of specific architects 5. Key records series 6. Architectural furnishings and fittings 7. Architectural drawings held elsewhere 8. Further reading and resources. Architectural drawings held elsewhere Numerous institutions around the world hold collections of architectural drawings and related records.

Large numbers of plans and drawings created by local government and other bodies are held in local authority record offices. Historic England Archive — substantial collections of drawings created or collected by government departments are held by the Historic England Archive. Records shed light on the history of specific buildings built for or occupied by government departments, among other things.

National Records of Scotland — holdings include government records relating to public works, and some records of former or present public utilities. National Library of Wales — holdings include government records relating to public works, and some records of former or present public utilities. Public Record Office of Northern Ireland — holds some records relating to British government in Ireland before as well as specifically Northern Irish records.

The National Archives of Ireland — holds some records relating to British government in Ireland before Research and Special Collections Available Locally — a hub for research resources relating to Ireland, including EHS: Built Heritage , which It aims to identify, record and protect the built, buried and underwater remains of human activity from prehistoric times to the present day.

Material on buildings or architects, in the public or private sector, from the Renaissance to the present day. Royal Institute of British Architects — home to one of the largest and most diverse architectural collections in the world. Further reading and resources All of the publications listed here are available for consultation at The National Archives library in Kew. Contact us for advice. Still need help? Live chat For quick pointers Tuesday to Saturday to Email For more detailed research enquiries.

Related research guides. Architectural history records held by other archives. Overseas maps and plans. Search our catalogue. AT BD HLG 5. HLG 6. HLG LRRO 1. MEPO 9.

MH PRO T WO WORK AN If they built or commissioned the property themselves, they may have a copy of the blueprints. The original owners may also be able to direct you to their lender; if they secured a construction loan to finance the construction of the house, the original lender may also have the blueprints on file. Locate the company that developed your house, if it is a prefabricated home.

Prefabricated construction companies build hundreds of properties using the same blueprints, and will likely have the blueprint for your house in their records. If you are not the original owner of the property and you do not know who built it, contact the previous owner or real estate agent for more assistance.

This is a costly way to get the blueprints to your house, and you should reserve this method as the last resort. Carrie Ferland is a practicing civil litigation defense attorney in the Philadelphia Area. As an author, her work has been featured in various legal publications for over 10 years.

Other names for stock plans include catalog plans, stock building plans, stock house plans, mail-order plans, and pattern book houses. Builders and developers would customize "off-the-shelf" stock plans, changing details to meet a client's needs, although a customized stock plan is not a custom home.

Your realtor is likely to know the difference. At times in American history when single-family housing was in great demand, using stock plans could save time and money—costs escalate with changes. Many stock plans began as customized building plans for an architect's client, which is why you may see a modified Biltmore Mansion in your neighborhood. Quiz your realtor on the town's history and not just house styles. Along with talking to realtors, explore what your neighbors know.

There's a reason why that house across the street looks familiar. It may have been designed by the same person and built by the same developer. Perhaps it is a mirror image, with minor differences in finishing details. Walking your neighbor's halls can be a good way to learn about the original floor plan of your own home. Stock plans are associated with production home builders, but anyone can buy stock plans and build on a plot of land. Planned and gated communities usually limit the available house styles, which are stock plans for that community.

As you drive through your neighborhood, you may notice many variations on the same essential plan. Although they are not unique, houses built from stock plans can be quite lovely. Public officials should also know something about the building history of your town or city, so check in with the building inspector or assessor's office at the town hall. In most cities and towns around the world, builders must file for a permit before beginning new construction or remodeling an older home.

This process ensures some standards of safety for occupants and for the fire company that protects your home. Permits, often with floor plans and elevation drawings, are usually filed in the Building Inspector's office at your local city or town hall. These documents may not date very far back, but they can be useful for learning about modifications made to your house in the past 20 years or so. While you are in City Hall, ask where you can see the fire insurance maps for your area.

In the United States, many fire insurance maps date back to the s. At the very least, these maps will indicate the original construction material e. A good bird's-eye view map will also provide a three-dimensional drawing of houses in your neighborhood. Sometimes there is enough detail to show the shape of the buildings and the placement of doors, windows, and porches. Compare your findings with Google Maps. Local archives can exist by records retention laws—or not.

Many communities maintain archives with old photographs, building plans, and maps. These records may be heaped in disorganized piles in the town hall attic—or they may be cataloged and shelved at your local library, museum, or historic commission.