Disclaimer: We are continually striving to improve and update our Website. Information displayed on this site is subject to change and may or may not be up To date, or applicable to every customer. The information on this Website should be considered as conceptual only (except for disclaimers). Emails or communication from us to potential customers is also not binding and should be considered informative only. If you are a client of ours, for drafting and design services, Refer to our written agreement with you for the pricing, plan items and design items that are included in our service to you (as an individual customer.)Information on this Website is not to be considered a warranty or guarantee of services given to every customer. In all cases and situations, the drafting and design service customer’s written agreement with Griffith Plans (approved by us) is the only determining factor as to services rendered by Griffith Plans to that customer.
Copyright 2009 by Griffith Plans. All Rights Reserved. Publication or copying of any of this site's content, is prohibited.
ALL FREE CALCULATORS BELOW ARE BASED ON
Microsoft Excel spreadsheets or Microsoft Works spreadsheets.. (Excel or Works software is required) These calculators are ALL FREE and have no time limit. All information obtained (from the spreadsheet calculators) should be verified for accuracy before use. All calculations and information should be considered approximate. User retains all liability for use. Griffithplans.com makes no representations as to accuracy or suitability of purpose for any of the calculators.
CALCULATOR INSTRUCTIONS:
Enter data into yellow shaded cells. Info in bold print contains formulas and should not be changed. The calculators contain sample data in yellow shaded cells. Save a backup copy in case you accidentally delete a formula. As you use the calculators you will learn the way each one works. We do not recommend changing any of the cell formulas. The formulas are interlinked and changing formulas may yield incorrect results. You may freely copy these calculators for your own personal use. Please refer your friends to our website Griffithplans.com if they would like to download a copy of any of our free calculators. We hope you find these useful.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS:
These are small files and will download quickly, even on dialup.
RIGHT CLICK AND SELECT “SAVE LINK OR TARGET” TO DOWNLOAD (LEFT CLICKING MAY NOT WORK)
ADA RAMP LENGTH CALCULATOR
Calculates handicap ramp length and height. User inputs ramp height needed and length is calculated automatically. Shows ramp segment length. Performs 34 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
ANCHOR BOLT CALCULATOR for metal buildings
Calculates bolt size needed based on steel strength, wind load, conc edge distance, cone size and bolt embedment length. Intended for bigger buildings including metal storage type buildings. Also calculates concrete column pad sizes based on wind loading.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
BUILDING WEIGHT CALCULATOR
Calculates building weight based on many types of structures and sizes. Can separate wall weights, roof weights and floor weights or add them all together. Over 51 weights of building materials are included. User inputs wall height and length. Weights are calculated based on wall, roof or floor type chosen. Performs 214 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
CONSTRUCTION COST CALCULATOR block building
Calculates basic building cost, cost plus profit total, and over 60 other cost items. Also calculates approximate quantities for drywall, concrete slab, block walls, shingle roof, tile, fill dirt, and sod and other valuable info. Breaks down the estimate into real world totals. Pricing shown can be adjusted up or down and modified to suit area prices. Performs 429 calculations instantly as user inputs data. Also includes a section that separates contract checklist items like allowances and items to be included and excluded. A recommended draw schedule is attached for the contractors benefit. Also comes with an estimate for the Lender that gives the total cost and builder proceeds. We should charge for this one, but we don’t!!
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
DECK WEIGHT AND COST CALCULATOR
Calculates deck building costs and weights for cast in place concrete floors, floor truss and floor joists. Performs 44 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
FRAME WALL FOOTING & anchor bolt calculator
Calculates bolt size needed and footing size based on wall weight and wall area and wind loading. Intended for typical wood frame construction. Also calculates bolt embedment and strength. User inputs wall sizes, soil bearing psf etc. Performs 68 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
LOG WALL FOOTING and anchor bolt calculator
Calculates weights of log walls based on height and length. Uses log wall weight to calculate footing sizes. Also calculates weight of solid concrete basement walls. Also calculates bolt embedment and strength. User inputs wall sizes, soil bearing psf etc. Performs 68 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
OVERTURN CALCULATOR
Uses wind loading and building height to calculate overturning load. Also calculates footing sizes and weights and concrete quantity to prevent building over turning in high wind load. Calculates soil resistance, and other factors. Performs 54 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
SITE PLAN AREA CALCULATOR
Calculates pervious and impervious areas by deducting building and pavement from total site area. Vegetated islands can be added separately. Gives all relevant sf calculations and percents of each area.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
SITE PLAN SLOPE CALCULATOR
Calculates slopes for site plan paving based on user input. Enter low points and slope lengths and percent of slope needed. Gives elevations for proper drainage and lowest finished floor elevations for structures and other valuable info. Performs 131 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
WINDLOAD CALCULATOR
Calculates windloads on building roof and walls. Roof input can be adjusted for most roof slopes. It can convert basic wind speed to ASCE wind speed. There is also a degrees to radians converter, also a chart that converts roof pitches to degrees. If you enter footing sizes it will calculate concrete weight and cubic yards. Performs 26 calculations instantly as user inputs data.
Download Microsoft Excel version
Download Microsoft Works version
CALCULATOR DOWNLOADS/ INSTRUCTIONS
We can design custom plans for your project.
ABC’S of Construction Financing
Step by Step Hints
from Griffithplans.com
FIRST
Get with a local lender and find out how much financing you can pre-qualify for. Unless you are extremely strong financially don’t take on any new debt (like buying a new car) until your loan is closed.
SECOND
Purchase or get a contract to purchase the land you want to build on. Get at least 60 days to close and make sure the contract is contingent on you qualifying for financing. Make sure the property is buildable, is not wetlands, or otherwise unsuitable for what you want to do (put those contingencies in the contract too.). Check with local zoning and building departments to be sure.
THIRD
Have a house plan designed for your property. Make sure the plan meets local code requirements. It should also comply with setbacks, zoning, septic requirements. (contact your local building and zoning dept to be sure) Griffithplans.com can help you with all these items.
FOURTH
Get pricing for your plan from area builders with good references. Make sure the builder you select is on your lenders list of approved builders before you sign a contract or make any deposits. If any of the builders you talk to don’t promptly return your calls or can’t give you good local references look elsewhere.
FIFTH
See if your lender has a construction loan that rolls over into your permanent mortgage after construction is completed. This saves you having to have two separate closings (and double closing costs).
SIXTH
Check with more than one lender. Your may find a better package and rate at one lender than the other. Don’t sign any applications until you have analyzed all the different programs offered.
SEVENTH
Once you have determined which lender is offering you the best rates and closing costs, lock in the deal and make your formal application. The lender will require your financial statement, building plans (they will need an appraisal of the completed project done by their appraiser), a recent lot survey, a builder cost breakdown, and other information.
EIGHTH
Most lenders like to structure the loans so no construction money is disbursed until certain stages of construction are complete. Usually it’s lot payoff at closing (1st draw), then slab (2nd draw), then house shell and roof structure including rough electrical and plumbing in place (3rd draw) and the final draw when the house is 100% complete. This system puts a heavy financial burden on the borrower to pay off the bills until the draw is disbursed. If you don’t have plenty of cash available you may have to max out your credit cards (cash advances) or get a short term loan to cover the bills until the draw is disbursed.
BEST ADVICE
Don’t go wild on extras. A few hundred here and there can add up to a lot of money in the end. Make sure the builders contract allowances will cover the items you want for your house, then don’t go over the allowances. You can always upgrade in the future.
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Griffithplans.com are left in place