Selling House Plans: Your Rights and Considerations
Welcome to our guide on the legality and practicalities of selling house plans that you have paid to have designed and engineered. This document aims to provide clarity for those in similar situations.
Legal Permission to Sell House Plans
Unless otherwise specified in your contract with the designer or engineer, the documents you have paid for are yours. However, it is important to understand the specific terms of your agreement. If the designer claims ownership of the plans, selling them without their consent may be illegal and can lead to legal issues.
Contractual Considerations
Check your contract with the architect or designer. Many such contracts explicitly state that the architect retains ownership of the plans, but grants you a non-transferable license to use them. This means that selling the plans without their permission could be a violation of your contract.
Engineering and Plan Verification
Even if you do have the right to sell the plans, selling them without the necessary verification could lead to complications. If you sell plans that have not been resealed by another engineer, it may be illegal and require a full recreation of the documents. When engineering firms change on a project, the CAD files and calculations are retained and reverified to ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations. Similarly, architects also follow a similar process.
Value of Old House Plan Blueprints
Old house plan blueprints have limited value for use as shopping materials for potential house buyers today. The advent of computer simulations has transformed the way buyers visualize houses. With 3D simulations, potential buyers can visualize the house in detail, a stark contrast to the limitations of old blueprints.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the legality and practicality of selling house plans depend heavily on the terms of your contract and local laws. Make sure to read your contract carefully and consult a legal expert if necessary. Understanding these complexities can help you navigate the process smoothly and avoid potential legal issues.