Our Price $165.00

This classic 20' wide farm house style home is built with simple platform frame construction on your choice of nine different foundation types to adapt to your specific soils, budget and site. The home feels spacious and open but is efficient with it's use of space.

As designed it has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a utility hall and a full sized wrap around stair. The stair can go down to a basement or on up to the attic should you need to expand up there in the future. Because of the simple framing system much of the interior layout can be adjusted by the owner or builder (interior walls carry no weight).

For instance, if you have a steep slope you could come in on the upper floor and redesign that as the main living floor.

View the floorplans and elevations below (click for larger image).

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Front Elevation

Side Elevation

Upper Floor Plan

Main Floor Plan

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For a Study Plan, please download and print the 20x34 Universal Cottage PDF file. (You need the free Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. This is probably already loaded on your computer.)

The members forum is also available when you want help or suggestions on your project from other members. See "Membership has its Advantages" for more information on how to join.

The Universal Cottage is a good starting platform for a custom home building project. Additional wings can be added in the future and the plans include some options you might choose to build now such as an add-on window seat and wrap around porch.

The 16 page plan set includes all the drawings and information normally needed by builders and the building department:

• Full structural floor plans (main, upper and basement)
• Structural cross section with basement, crawlspace, slab and pier and beam foundation options.
• Roof and attic framing plans and details for both truss and rafter & joist framing.
• Optional truss diagrams for flat or cathedral ceiling in the upper story.
• Basement plans with details for your choice of poured concrete, concrete block or the stud and plywood All weather wood foundation system.
• Foundation details for two types of concrete slab on grade floors and two types of pier and beam systems.
• Framing plans for floors using both I-joists for full width spans, or 2x8 joists and an exposed interior beam and post support system.
• Porch framing plans and details for the shed roof porch as in the photo, plus an extendable wrap around porch that can run down either or both sides.
• Four elevations including trim and siding details
• Electrical plans and plumbing layout notes
• A bonus sheet with complete plans and details for a pop-out bed and sitting alcove that can be added to any outside wall (it needs no foundation).
• Update: Now includes details for an open cathedral ceiling at the upper floor w/ timber style rafter ties @ 4'. These can be used for hanging lighting fixtures or ceiling fans. Makes for a dramatic high ceiling and works very well on sloping sites where you might want the upper floor to be the main living area (just reverse the floor plans).

Also included in the set is a booklet of helpful planning information and construction details including:

• Superinsulation techniques for cold climates (a detail you add to your plans)
• Hot water and heating system design notes
• A code checklist for going to the building department
• A diagram and glossary of standard building terms
• How to Read Plans (symbols and labels explained)
• Trim, Siding and Money Saving Ideas.

These plans are ready to submit to your building inspector - you decide which foundation plan sheet to include in your set (you will not need the others).

The plans come with free reprinting rights. This means you can make as many sets as needed to build your project (but not to sell or give away). Since the plans are on 11x17 format you can do this at any local copy shop.