By all means, ask the builder that you want a full set (hard copy / blueprints) and an electronic copy (PDF files).

Definitely do what Naf Naf said. You'll need them as you go about looking at flooring, cabinets, etc.

And legally, they do belong to you if you commissioned and paid for the design, so a copy should already be in your hands.

If the architect (?) was under the employ of the builder - the builder likely owns the plans.

"And legally, they do belong to you"

Drawings legally belong to the house owner only if that was stipulated in the contract with the builder which is rare but the drawings most likely belong to the architect instead of the builder and you have no contract with him. But it can't hurt to ask the builder for a copy.

You can usually scan the drawings that are on file at the building department.

The term "blueprint" is archaic builder jargon for plain paper copies or diazo black line prints. Real blueprints have been out of use for 40 years. It would be very rare for them to give you digital files.

You state that you "paid for the blueprints". If it was explicitly spelled out that you get a copy of the construction drawings. If you are assuming that you get a copy of the construction drawings without anything in writing, you probably will not get them unless you ask.

Ask your builder for a copy of the construction drawings. He will most likely supply you with a set for a nominal printing fee.

JDS's right.

How are you reviewing the design of your home and providing input without having a copy of the blueprints? Our architect gave us one initial set of large scale drawings to get our input on the overall layout, and then finally created the first set of 1/4" scale plans to use as a mark-up copy. On the mark-up copy we made our input/corrections to switch plate locations, light locations, doorway sizes, door swings, etc., and then returned them to the architect.

IIRC we had two rounds with the mark-up drawings before we went to the final drawings that were used for the contract with the builder. Any change after the final contract drawings required a change order (with cost and scope), which had to be signed by both us and the builder.

Bruce

I don't see why the architect wouldn't provide them to you. The worst that would typically happen is you'd pay a nominal charge to have them printed/duplicated (my architect sends the large format stuff out, my builder, on the other hand, has a large format copier/scanner that he has let me use).

Just about every local copy/mailbox place can print them these days.

The OP doesn't even know who the architect is and the builder apparently didn't give the OP a set of the contract documents when they signed the contract so asking the OP to pay for printing would be adding insult to injury.

We got ours and had the architect autograph, framed them and have hanging in the new house. Looks great!

This is one of many reasons you want the architect working for you instead of the builder.

sowen18 That is exactly what I would want to do. Frame them and hang them on the wall somewhere, maybe even with the site plan.

Our subdivision requires a set to be on file in the office along with a complete site plan

The construction documents will also be on file at the building department where they can be reviewed and copied by anyone and the approved permit set should be on site at all times.