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New House Plans
We've been thinking about building for the last 6 months or so. It's starting to look like this may be our only option. We've met with a builder a while ago, to see if this was even something we can afford (which we can), but have been working with this builder since. We have NOT signed anything with them yet, but have met with him a handful of times and have been emailing back and forth. Anyways we brought in some house plans we liked, and told him what we wanted changed on it. He changed it and then emailed those plans back to us. This house is perfect. I love it. But now I'm wondering, obviously I want to get the best price and bid this out with other builders..... Can I take this floor plan and house design to other people without getting in to trouble?
I'm not saying we wouldn't go with this builder that we've been working with, I just want to make sure that the prices are actually comparable to other builders in the area.
Thanks for any help!
Re: New House Plans
This is a fine line. Even if ALL the ideas he entered into the plans were ALL yours, he still did the work. Also, he could claim that his work is his property and you taking it to another builder is using his work and therefore illegal. Builders/designers/architects have what's called intellectual property. You are toing a fine line here. Also, it isn't fair of you to essentially waste this man's time and then turn around and walk away. Either be up front and don't build at all or pony up and sign an agreement with him.
Were the original plans that you brought him (before he made the changes) his or from another source?
If the original plans were not his, I would take them to other builders explain the changes you would like. This will give you what other builders are pricing things out as and what their perspective is. The ideas are yours. The work he did on the new drawing is his. I wouldn't show off his work as your own. I would be upfront to the current builder to let him know your intentions. He may want to negotiate price if he knows you're looking at another builder.