Adapting Plans to Local Codes
Southern Cottages house plans were designed to meet coastal conditions and codes in the state of North Carolina at the time they were designed. Houses on piling foundations were designed to meet coastal and flood plain and high wind zone construction in the State of North Carolina at the time they were designed. Because codes and requirements can change and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, we cannot warrant compliance with any specific code or regulation. Your plans may need to be modified to comply with local building conditions, energy codes, seismic and soil conditions, snow loads, zoning regulations and other ordinances or requirements. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and /or builder of each plan to see that the structure is built in strict compliance with the governing building codes and municipal codes (city, county, state and federal). We recommend the use of the services of a local architect or residential design professional to verify compliance with local codes and requirements in your area.
Copyright Protection
All of the Southern Cottages plans are copyright protected under federal copyright laws. This means that the designs and plans can not be reproduced without our permission. Purchase of a home plan allows you, the licensee, to build only one home from the plans and does not transfer the copyright or ownership of the plans in any way.
The designs depicted on this web site or in any of our plan books are protected also. It is not legal to adapt, change or redraw the designs. These would be considered “derivative works” of the original which retain the copyright protection. To be safe, purchase the plan/license. With the license you can then modify the plan for your use in the construction of one home.
The Copyright Law exists to protect all parties and supports the intellectual property of the designer. It has been strengthened in the past few years. It allows for statutory damages up to $100,000 plus attorney fees, damages and loss of profit. To learn more, visit the US Copyright Office at http:/lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/
Compensation for Plan Changes Requested by Purchaser
When the Purchaser requests changes to a Standard Plan Package, it is agreed that Southern Cottages will be compensated for the time expended by it’s architect and draftsmen to make the changes to the Study Plans for Purchaser review, even if the Purchaser later decides not to proceed with the changes to the Construction Drawings.
Plans are sold as-is
All construction plans ordered through Southern Cottages are provided as-is and Southern Cottages disclaims all other warranties, express or implied including merchantability or fitness of purpose. Our drawings and specifications may contain errors, omissions, typographical errors, or other inaccuracies. The purchaser and/or his contractor must therefore carefully inspect all notations, dimensions and details in these drawings and assume responsibility for the accuracy of the same. The Southern Cottages house plans company and its employees, architect or consulting engineers are not liable for incidental, special, consequential, or indirect damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, business opportunity or other economic loss arising out of the use of services or any construction plans received from Southern Cottages even if Southern Cottages has been advised of the possibility of such damage.
It is the purchaser’s and/or his contractor’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy, compliance with applicable statute or regulation, and fitness of purpose of any plans or construction information received from Southern Cottages prior to use thereof. In the event that any liability is imposed upon Southern Cottages, its liability to you or any third party shall not exceed the price paid for the Southern Cottages house plan company’s product.
