Plan Licence

What you are buying

When you buy a Planbarn plan you are buying a single-build licence: the right to construct the design once, for yourself or your client. The drawings themselves remain the intellectual property of the original designer or other rights holder; your purchase gives you the right to use them as described here, not ownership of the copyright.

What the licence allows

• Build the design one time.
• Print as many copies of the plan set as your build needs, for your builder, your trades, your lender and your permit office.
• Modify the design to suit your site, your budget or your local code, either yourself, through your own designer or draftsperson, or by asking us for a modification quote.
• Have the plans stamped or sealed by a licensed engineer or architect in your jurisdiction where that is required.

What it does not allow

• Building the design more than once without a further licence.
• Reselling, redistributing or republishing the drawings, modified or not, or sharing them beyond the people working on your licensed project.
• Using the drawings to create a competing plan for sale.

Building more than once

Developers and builders often need to build the same plan repeatedly. That is fine, but it needs a multi-build licence. Tell us how many homes you intend to build and we will quote it.

Modifications and the licence

Modifying a plan does not change its licence and does not grant permission to resell, redistribute or republish the drawings. A modified design is still covered by the same single-build terms, and the modified drawings cannot be resold or reused for a second build.

What is not included

Plan sets are construction drawings, not site-specific engineering. Unless a plan page expressly lists them, the following are not included and are the purchaser’s responsibility: structural engineering and any professional stamps or seals, energy calculations, soil reports and site-specific foundation design, septic design, site, grading and survey plans, and mechanical or plumbing design where your jurisdiction requires it. Arrange these with appropriately qualified professionals. Our modification quotes cover changes to the drawings themselves, not these site-specific services.

Permit requirements depend on your location, site and proposed construction. Your building department determines which drawings, calculations and professional approvals are required, and local review may identify changes needed to the plans.

Refunds and the licence

Refunds are handled under our Returns and Refunds Policy. Where a plan is replaced or an order is cancelled because of a fault on our side, the original licence ends with it and those drawings may no longer be used.

Not sure which licence you need?

Ask before you buy. Email support@planbarn.com or use the contact form and describe what you are building.