Aug 11

Added:
8/11/2010 4:14 PM 

Many times when we meet with customers to design a home they come prepared with designs from magazines. This is very helpful when Watts Homes is designing a home from the beginning because it gives us an idea of what you want in a new home. However, if you want us to build the exact home from a magazine we are unable to do so.

Floor plans and designs are copyrighted by the designer and many but not all will state on the drawing the design is copyrighted. In order to build the home exactly as it is drawn in the magazine you would have to get permission from the designer. Most will have you sign a contract stating you are only allowed to build the design one time for a fee. Builders may also purchase floor plans from a designer for a larger fee with the ability to reproduce the home over and over. Prices range by floor plan and by designer so plan accordingly.

If you do not purchase the rights to reproduce the floor plan the designer or owner of the copyright can and will file a lawsuit against you and your builder if they become aware of the situation which will cost so much more than just purchasing the rights to build the home (attorney fees, court costs, judgments, etc).

However, if you have several designs you like we can create a custom design for you taking what you like from each floor plan. This does take time and you will need to pay for this design service. If you do decide to build the home after we custom design a house for you we will include the design fee in the total purchase price.

Keep in mind that building a floor plan from another builder or designer without permission is like plagiarizing someone else’s publication and it may have very expensive consequences.

http://www.mywattshome.com/StepsToOwnership/BuyingProcess.aspx

Posted by Joy Watts