How to Make a Plot Plan of Your House

Step 1

Set the measuring wheel at one corner of your lot. Walk behind the wheel as you roll it forward. Walk up the side of your lot, following property lines.

Step 2

Stop when you reach a corner. Mark down the measurement. Turn the wheel to the right or left continuing along the next side of the property. Continue this process until you have returned to the point of origin.

Step 3

List each measurement to help when drawing the plan.

Step 4

Repeat the entire measuring process for each structure on the property.

Step 1

Make a scale rule at one corner of the graph paper. A scale rule is a diagram showing the representation of a measured foot converted to smaller measurements. An example would be 1 inch equals 10 feet. Draw a line 1-inch long. Mark underneath it the conversion of feet to inches.

Step 2

Draw the outline of the lot to scale on the graph paper.

Step 3

Determine the location of any buildings or structures on your plan using the scale rule to keep uniformity. Draw the structures onto the lot.

Step 1

Contact the zoning and utility offices for your community. Determine where the utilities, pipes, easements and right-of-way are in relation to your property.

Step 2

Draw dotted lines for the locations of boundaries and utilities.

Step 3

Draw your walkways and drives onto the plan.

Step 1

Locate drain fields, septic tanks and fields, underground storage tanks or other unseen structures on the plan. If you don’t have these in place yet, you will need to follow local ordinances for setback requirements. Structures may need easements or may have to be moved if changes to the plot plan are required.

Step 2

Draw these unseen structures into the plan.

Step 3

Place swimming pools and surface water such as ponds or streams on the plan.