I have been in the homebuilding industry for 15 years and built over 180 homes.  I have seen my share of “Home-Owner-Designed House Plans.”  It is simply amazing what people think might work.  A home is an incredible investment and I recommend getting a house plan that has been built before.  I have to laugh at some of the plans that people bring to me.  Some of them are like Crayola drawings on a paper napkin.  They want to know how much it will cost to build it.  I can tell you I automatically shoot high, really high.  No builder likes to work with unorganized people.  However, if the people come to me with a house plan they have purchased, I can tell they are serious and have done a lot of research.  It is simple to get bids and I am so much more comfortable working with them.