Summary
Finding a floor plan for a property can be essential for various reasons, from renovations to purchasing a home. There are several methods to track down an existing floor plan, each involving different resources, tools, or professionals. By exploring these options, you can locate the layout you need for your property or home search.
How to Find Floor Plans of a Property
Finding a floor plan for a house or property can be helpful for renovations, buying, selling, or just understanding the layout. Here are the best ways to locate existing floor plans in the United States:
1. Check Local Building Departments and Permits
Many city or county building departments keep records of construction permits, which may include floor plans, especially for newer homes. Contact your local building department or visit their website to see if these records are available online.
2. Search Online Property Listings
Real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com often include floor plans in property listings. If your home was recently listed for sale or rent, you might find an old listing that includes the layout. Searching with the exact property address will yield the best results.
3. Contact the County Assessor or Tax Office
Some county assessor’s offices have property records that include floor plans or detailed property descriptions. You can check your local tax office website or visit in person to request documents related to your home.
4. Check with the Original Builder or Developer
If your home is part of a planned development or built by a large homebuilder, they may still have original blueprints or floor plans on file. Look up the builder’s name (often found in county records or old listings) and contact them to request a copy.
5. Look at Neighbors’ Online Listings
If your home is in a subdivision or a multi-unit building, neighboring properties may have similar or identical floor plans. Search for past and present listings of similar homes in your area on real estate sites to find a comparable layout.
Additional Tips for Finding Floor Plans
- Historical Records & Archives:Â If your home is older, local historical societies, archives, or even libraries may have original blueprints or architectural drawings.
- Public Records Requests:Â Some city planning or zoning offices allow public requests for building plans.
- Real Estate Agents:Â If your home was recently on the market, a real estate agent who handled the listing may have a floor plan available.
Whether you need a floor plan for remodeling, selling, or curiosity, these methods can help you track one down. If no existing floor plan is available, hiring a professional to create a new one is always an option.