Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Are BGS plans ready for my building department?
All BGS plans are designed for specific environmental conditions such as wind speed, roof load and seismic zone, which can vary for some localities and states. The specific requirements a plan meets are noted. If your building department does not require engineered plans, and if these conditions meet your location requirements, then the plans are ready for your building department’s approval. If your conditions are different or require engineering then plans need to be updated locally.
Note: Site plans are not included and plumbing/electrical layout is filled in by you or your contractor on a base sheet provided by BGS.
How do I determine my building requirements?
First, call your local planning department. They will tell you what you are allowed to build: building size, height and set back requirements from your property line then contact the building department and determine if this project requires engineering. If it does your local engineer will deal with codes and specifics.
I found a plan that is close to what I need, but I’d like to make a few changes. Can I do that in the field?
Changes in the field are dependent on two main factors: the significance of the change, and the position the building department takes. Your contractor should have experience on both factors. If changes are more significant, however, they may require review by an engineer.
How do your plans compare to other plans on the internet?
You can find less expensive and more expensive plans but not better plans. Each plan covers all the pieces of the building, not just the picture, supplying you with much more information than other available plans. Making them the best value in terms of cost and content.
BGS Plans Overview
Foundation – All anchor bolts dimensions, footings and details.
Floor Plans – Full dimensioning, studs, posts and anchor bolts shown.
Wall Framing – All pieces shown – very informative to many.
Elevations – Looks like this when completed.
Section & Details – Ties previous information together.
Material List – Visually verifiable with plans, get out your hi-liter. Material list is included in each plans and a copy on 8″ x 11.5″ for easy forwarding.
The extra details our plans provide: additional wall framing views (elevations), specifications for anchor bolt/hold down locations, additional construction notes end up saving you much more money on your build that our plans’ initial cost. We think that makes them an excellent value.
Why do your plans cost less money than my local architect / engineer would charge?
The system we’ve developed over the past 40 years of specializing in barns, garages and shop buildings, and our extensive library of plans, enables us to provide a much more detailed, comprehensive and economical set of plans.
Our focus on barns, garage and shops exclusively has allowed us to provide an extensive inventory and pack each plan with more information for the owner.
Roof Styles for Plans 1000-4000 Explained
Basic Squares & Rectangles
- Roof Style A – This roof spans left to right and is most common on square and deep spaces. Aesthetically prominent is the gable end over the garage door. A more technical aspect to consider will be a header nonbearing over the garage door.
- Roof Style B – This roof spans from front to rear and is most common on square and wide spaces. Aesthetically prominent is the gable end over the sides of the building, not the garage door. A more technical aspect to consider will be the garage doors in a header(s) bearing section.
- Roof Style E – Similar to roof style A with no overhang. This economy style saves cost on material and construction but has less visual appeal.
- Roof Style HIP – All sides slope to ridge. Garage door header(s) are in a bearing position. This style has no gable ends.
Pop-Outs & Covered Areas
These styles offer function and a more dynamic visual appeal. The pop-out is popular with people who have boats and RVs. The covered area is great for outdoor furniture or storage, tools, fire wood, anything you want to keep dry and out of the sun. It’s also less expensive than increasing the building size.
- Roof Style AA – Roof style A with additional pop-out section. This roof spans left to right and is most common on square and deep spaces. Aesthetically prominent is the pop—out section over the garage door.
- Roof Style BA & BAA – Both are a roof style B with one and two additional pop-out section respectively.
- Roof Style HIP-A – Hip roof with Roof style A at pop-out section.
- Roof Style CA & CAA – Both are a roof style A with one and two additional pop-out section respectively.
- Roof Style CB – Roof style B with covered area on one side.
- Roof Style CBA – Roof style B with additional pop-out section roof and covered area on one side.
- Roof Style HIP-C – Hip roof with covered area on one side
Barn Style
ROOF STYLES FOR DUTCH BARNS
- Gambrel Style Roof – Some buildings have additional shed roof(s) on side(s) Dormer windows available on most buildings. All buildings are two story with loft or full second floor. If not present, dormer windows and can be added to buildings in this category.
ROOF STYLES FOR AGRICULTURAL BARNS
- Shed Style – Roof pitch from front to rear. Higher portion of roof at front of building.
- Double Shed – Roof pitch from front to middle. Additional roof pitch from middle to rear.
- B with walls on 3 sides – Front open.
- Shop – Roof style B with walls all 4 sides. Door(s) at front of building.
- Western Style Roof – Roof Style A with sheds on both sides.
ROOF STYLES FOR RANCHETTE BARNS
- Western Style Roof – Is an A style roof at middle of the building with additional shed roofs on the exterior walls. Some plans have additional shed roofs that create a covered area, this feature can be added if not on a desired plan.