ᐅ Building Plans for a Prefabricated House as a Template – Could This Cause Issues?

Created on: 16 Oct 2015 20:20
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NOUSEFORANAME
We are currently in the detailed preliminary planning phase before consulting an architect soon.

At the moment, we are wondering if there could be any legal issues if we use prefab house manufacturer plans as inspiration. For example, we really like the exterior dimensions, layout, etc. We would only want to change a few small details such as the arrangement and size of the windows and doors.

Legally, the plans are apparently protected as stated in the printed material...

The question is, what exactly can be protected in such a design? If we only change a small portion, it wouldn’t be an exact copy anymore, or am I mistaken?

Even if we were to implement it exactly as is, the chance that the prefab company would ever find out seems low, doesn’t it?
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NOUSEFORANAME
16 Oct 2015 21:08
What would be the alternative? Should I create the plans myself?
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Sebastian79
16 Oct 2015 21:20
You’re not allowed to — but having someone design it who does this professionally?

You can do whatever you want — I really don’t want to interfere. It’s just an unusual approach...
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NOUSEFORANAME
16 Oct 2015 21:22
That’s exactly my plan – an architect who works in road construction and has already prepared plans for dozens of houses in the area as a side job. Minor additional services included.
Costs are low.

I think that’s more than acceptable.
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Legurit
16 Oct 2015 21:28
Another Pandora’s box... (HOAI)
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Sebastian79
16 Oct 2015 21:30
It's not like the green forum where they describe the ideal world 😉

Are there still architects and engineers who bill straightforwardly according to that?
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Irgendwoabaier
16 Oct 2015 21:33
You can ask around – but first, find an independent consultant whom you will pay, to review the planner you intend to hire and verify whether they have correctly formulated the question you want and directed it to the right party.

And if the answer does not correspond to the question, then you simply had a poor consultant as well as a poor planner, and you should have initially hired an independent building consultant to help you find the right advisor…