ℹ️ Consumer Alert: Legal Risk Moderate

The "Free Design" Trap
(Intellectual Property Theft)

Executive Summary

  • THE RISK:Being sued for Copyright Infringement for building a house/deck using stolen plans.
  • THE CAUSE:Shopping a detailed design/bid to a cheaper competitor ("Chuck in a Truck").
  • THE FIX:Pay for the Design Phase separately. Own the plans.

The "High Stakes" Scenario

You ask a high-end Design-Build firm for a quote. They spend 40 hours creating beautiful 3D renderings and floor plans. Bid: $150,000. You take those plans to "Chuck in a Truck." Chuck says: "Nice plans. I can build this for $100k."

You hire Chuck. The Design Firm drives by, sees their unique design being built, and sues you for Intellectual Property Theft. You owe them design fees + damages.

Drawings are Instruments of Service

Unless you paid a "Design Fee" and have a release, the Architect/Designer owns the copyright to those drawings. Using them to get a lower price elsewhere is stealing their work.

⚖️ The Rule: An estimate is free. A Design is product. If it has dimensions or 3D views, it is IP.

Do It The Right Way.

Verified Design-Build firms will offer a "Design Agreement." You pay for the plans, you own them, and you can bid them out legally.