An elevation change is the process of swapping one exterior elevation package for another on the same floor plan. Production builders typically offer multiple elevation options for each house type — different architectural styles, rooflines, window arrangements, and facade treatments — and buyers select their preferred elevation as part of the sales process.

Applying the correct elevation package to the as-sold drawing set, and ensuring the roof plan and any other affected sheets are updated consistently, is a routine but important part of lot specific drawing production. Outsource CAD handles elevation changes as a standard service for US production builders.

What an elevation change involves

Applying an elevation change to a permit set involves updating the exterior elevations to reflect the chosen elevation package, updating the roof plan to match the new roofline configuration if it differs from the base plan, and ensuring that any streetscape or community design compliance requirements are met. If the elevation change affects the building footprint — for example, through a different porch configuration or a front-loading versus side-loading garage — the plot plan must also be updated.

Streetscape compliance

Many US subdivisions have streetscape requirements that limit which elevation packages can be used on adjacent lots — preventing identical facades from appearing side by side on the same street. Outsource CAD can apply your streetscape rules when processing elevation changes, flagging any conflicts with adjacent lots before the drawing set is finalised.

Elevation packages combined with other options

Elevation changes are frequently combined with other lot specific modifications — garage hand changes, structural options, and foundation updates. Outsource CAD handles all modifications as a single lot specific drawing set, applying all changes simultaneously for accuracy and efficiency.

Turnaround

Standard elevation changes are completed within 24 hours. Complex elevation changes with multiple simultaneous modifications are typically completed within 48 hours.