My wife and I have been doing the eplans.com thing for the past couple of months and have located a floor plan and exterior design that we love.  I'm sure you all know that these plans are fairly expensive, upwards of $1,000 for the cheapest package.  I have spoken with a couple of different regional SIPs builders and they have requested a copy of the plans.  They make it sound like it's no big deal to modify an existing stick built design to incorporate SIPs.   My question is: Can you modify any stick-built plan to utilize SIPs? I don't want to waste my time and money buying a plan that the SIPs builder is going to take one look at and say 'impossible.'  In general are there some features/designs that are not possible?  Just wondering if any of you have opinions on this process. 

Thanks
Matt

Didn't you heard anything about 'copyright"? So you think you go to a website and print out layout and elevation, then take it to a builder to have it build it for you?? That's a no-no.

If you want the same layout, you must purchase the set of plan, then your builder can make changes to it one (1) time and according to your area zoning law.
...Or have somebody design a house for you.

Joe

No, Joe, that's not what I'm asking. I'm well versed in copyright law. My question is: Can you modify any stick-built plan to utilize SIPs? I don't want to waste my time and money buying a plan that the SIPs builder is going to take one look at and say 'impossible.' I'll edit my original post to hopefully make that more clear. 

Ok, no problem Matt. Sorry for the misunderstanding!

I think any SIP manufacturer able to modify to fit to they 'machine'. Naturally need small adjustment but should be no problem. But you have to check with them or if you have a luxury shop around.

Joe

Thanks for the info, I wish I had the luxury to shop around!  It's hard enough finding someone within 300 miles who is building with them!

Where you live?

Joe

Just outside Peoria, IL

How far is Cedar Rapids? I think there is a manufacturer in CR, IA.

Joe

Hi Matt, Yes, Depending on were you live.Builders and distributers of sip panels generaly have a architect and engineer handy to modify your plans and get them ready for approval for the building dept. Go to the local distributer for SIPS. Prices and types of sips vary. do your research. Most good sip builder can give you a price that is close for a SIP house with your plans from the internet. Exact price will come after your plans are engineered for sips. Courtney Cook

galnar,

Can any home design, originally designed to be stick-built, be converted to a SIP structure? The answer is yes, but some home designs are easier to convert than others. If high redesign/engineering costs are no object then choose any design you like. If you are on a budget, one should carefully choose a design that is SIP "friendly". SIP "friendly" means that the buildings envelope configuration and structure can easily be built with SIPs. Also, keep in mind if a design is difficult and costly to covert to SIPs it will probably be difficult and costly to build. Here are some characteristics/configurations that are difficult to convert and build. The first thing I look at in any design is the buildings "roof-line". Does it have curved roof planes, lots of dormers, lots of sky lights, many cascading/nested roofs, multi-faceted roofs, cross vaulted roofs, multiple pitch breaks and/or lots of hips and valleys. I then look at the buildings walls. Does it have curved walls, faceted walls, skewed walls, angular walls. Walls that are very high & wide without support, have embedded columns and/or cut up with many openings.

I would suggest having a plan or a number of plans evaluated by a knowledgeable "SIP" person prior to making a final choice. This will let you know which plan is most feasible and cost effective.

Excellent advice. Thanks again folks. I submitted a contact request on the sips.org site and have already gotten a number of responses. I'll reach out to a couple of them and see what they think of the plan that we're looking at.

90% of the plans i get are designed for stick built...its not a problem for us to convert them