How to Get Old Home Blueprints

Ask the previous owner if he has plans. Some homes may be new enough that the builder or architect may have spare drawings available for reproduction or purchase. In some managed communities with homeowners associations, various home model plans may be on file as sales tools. Ask your neighborhood representative to refer you to the right person. Alternately, some historic planned communities may have accumulated documentation, including drawings, over the years. These collections are an invaluable resource.

Consult your local building authority. Cities, villages and counties typically have a custodian of records who will tell you where to turn and which procedures to follow for blueprint copies. Some municipalities are organized to include a Building and Building Permit division. These offices are responsible for building permit drawings and will likely have recent drawings or construction documents for your home. Be prepared to prove ownership with a copy of your deed, water bill, or notarized documentation as requested. If drawings are available on microfilm, electronically or as full-size originals, you may be charged reproduction fees.

Inquire with the Historic American Building Survey, a division of the National Park Service Heritage Documentation Service. This organization documents historic examples of architecture, planning and engineering graphically and in writing. The oldest homes may be significant to your local historical society or preservation group and as such, they may be of assistance in finding plans for your home.