Do Stock House Plans Come with Lateral Engineering?

Stock house plans typically do not come with lateral engineering included.

Stock house plans are pre-designed architectural drawings that are sold to multiple customers, and they are generally created to meet standard building codes and regulations without site-specific engineering.

Lateral engineering, which involves the design and analysis of the structure's resistance to lateral forces such as wind and seismic loads, is typically a site-specific requirement. Lateral engineering considers the specific location, local building codes, site conditions, and other factors that can affect the structural performance of the building during a high wind or seismic event.

While stock house plans are often considered a more affordable option for those looking to build a home, it should be understood they are not custom designed for a specific location, and they might not account for site-specific factors, including the lateral engineering requirements.

If you purchase a stock house plan and intend to use it to build in an area prone to high winds or seismic events, you will need to hire a licensed engineer to provide site-specific lateral engineering. The engineer will assess the plan, the site, and local building codes and provide a structural design that meets the requirements for building code prescribed lateral loads.

It is essential to consider the specific requirements of your building site and local building codes when using a stock house plan. Working with a structural engineer can help ensure that the chosen plan is designed to meet the lateral engineering needs for your specific location will help ensure the safety and structural integrity of your home, especially in regions with high wind or seismic design loads.

Shearwall Pro Solves This Problem

If you have purchased a stock plan, or are considering purchasing a stock plan, Shearwall Pro can help you by providing lateral engineering for you in states where we are licensed. Our software allows us to perform lateral engineering quickly and efficiently while taking the local conditions for your site into consideration.

Shearwall Pro is designed to help fill the gap between finding an affordable house plan and providing lateral engineering that is often needed to obtain a building permit.