Our office has noted an uptick in house plans purchased from various American companies that essentially mass-produce house plans.

Do be cautious: there are a number of issues that can arise as a result of either differences between U.S. codes and the National Building Code, or as a result of climactic differences. In many cases, plans designed to U.S. codes will be rejected outright.

Examples include:

• Insufficient foundation sizing
• Incorrect post (column) sizing
• Insufficient rafter strength
• Missing earthquake bracing panels
• Missing energy efficiency calculatons.

New Brunswick does not require a professional designer to create house plans, but if you are seeking aid of a designer, make sure the designer is familiar with – and able to design to – Canadian codes.