Guides
Guides for planning your house and home
From zoning and building permits to furniture in real measurements. Read, then try it on your own drawing.
Permits & zoning
Zoning and setbacks explained
What your zoning district allows on your lot: setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, easements and HOA rules in plain English.
Read the guide · 6 minBuilding permit checklist – step by step
From zoning check to certificate of occupancy: drawings, plan review, fees, inspections and how long permits last.
Read the guide · 6 minDrawing your own permit drawings – what is required
Site plan, floor plans, elevations and sections at 1/4" = 1'-0" – what US building departments normally expect.
Read the guide · 6 minBackyard ADUs – size, height and permits
Accessory dwelling unit basics: typical size and height limits, setbacks, utilities and when a backyard studio becomes an ADU.
Read the guide · 5 minCalifornia ADU requirements – size, setbacks and permit plans
California ADU rules in plain English: sizes, 4 ft setbacks, height limits, JADUs, parking and the drawings your city needs for a permit.
Read the guide · 7 minGarage conversion ADU – requirements and floor plans
Turn a garage into an ADU: what California allows, egress windows, kitchen and bath layout, and the drawings you need.
Read the guide · 6 minLayout & furnishing
Furniture clearance guide – walkways and free space
How much space around the dining table, bed and sofa? Practical clearances in inches for comfortable rooms.
Read the guide · 4 minPlanning a bathroom – sizes and accessibility
Turning circle, toilet clearances, shower sizes and ADA-inspired guidance for home bathrooms.
Read the guide · 4 minRenovating a condo: how to plan it right
Remodeling a condo or co-op? How to plan the layout, bathroom, electrical and noise – and what to check with your HOA or board before work starts.
Read the guide · 8 minBuilding a house: how to plan it right from the start
Building a new home? Choose the lot, house type and floor plan in the right order, understand permits and avoid costly mistakes.
Read the guide · 10 minPlanning a backyard: what to think about first
How to plan a backyard in the right order: map sun and shade, divide it into zones, place the patio by the sun and build in phases without costly mistakes.
Read the guide · 9 minFloor plan ideas for 320, 860 and 1,500 sq ft homes
Floor plan ideas for ADUs, cabins and family homes. See how rooms are usually laid out, then draw your own floor plan online for free.
Read the guide · 5 minConstruction
Wood framing basics – studs at 16 inches on center
Sill plate, studs, top plates and headers: how a typical US stick-framed wall is built.
Read the guide · 4 minBuilding a mountain cabin – layout, permits and common mistakes
Planning a mountain cabin in Colorado or the Rockies? How to design for snow, mudrooms, ski storage and sleeping space – and what to check with the county first.
Read the guide · 8 minBuilding a vacation home – permits, layout and mistakes
Planning a lake house or beach cottage? How to think about the lot, permits, septic, moisture, the porch and guest beds – and what to check first.
Read the guide · 8 minBuilding a home addition: what to think about first
Planning a home addition? How to choose between building out or up, connect the new floor plan to the old one and avoid the most expensive mistakes.
Read the guide · 9 min