Questions & answers
Frequently asked
Everything you might wonder before you order. Don’t see your question? Just ask us.
The basics
What exactly am I buying?
Custom digital building plans for one place: a personalized instruction booklet (PDF), 3D step-by-step instructions, a complete parts list with ready-made order files, studio renderings and a time-lapse video, all gathered on your own private web page.
It’s a digital download. No bricks or finished model are shipped.
Are the bricks included?
No, bricks are sold separately. Your parts list includes every piece’s color, count and part number, plus upload files for popular online brick shops, so ordering everything takes minutes rather than hours. See how it works.
Do the plans use real, standard pieces?
Yes. Every model is designed with standard interlocking toy bricks in current colors, and we check that every piece can be ordered before your plans are delivered.
Can I see what the instructions look like?
Of course. Browse our work, look through the listing pictures in our Etsy shop, or try a 3D instruction viewer for one of our models.
Photos & design
What photos do you need?
A few clear photos are enough: the front (straight on, if you can), each front corner and the back. Close-ups of special details help too. More photo tips.
I only have old photos or listing pictures. Is that OK?
Often, yes. Old family snapshots and real-estate listing photos can work well. The more angles you can share, the more faithful the model. Where a side of the house isn’t visible, we fill it in sensibly.
Can you include special details?
Please tell us! A red front door, a porch swing, a favorite tree or a fence around the yard can usually be included. Very thin things like gutters and wires are simplified so the model stays sturdy and buildable.
Can you model something other than a house?
Yes. We’ve designed a historic observatory and storefronts, and we’d love to hear about your shop, café, chapel, school or cabin.
How long does the design take?
Each model is designed by hand, so timing depends on the place and on how busy the studio is. Your Etsy order shows the current estimate, and we’re happy to answer questions before you buy.
Bricks & building
How big is the finished model?
Most full-size homes sit on a 48 × 48 stud base, about 15 inches (38 cm) square, and stand 3 to 7 inches tall. Petite editions use a 32 × 32 base (about 10 inches), and ornaments are about 2 inches tall.
How many pieces are there?
A full-size home typically uses 700 to 1,200 pieces. Petite editions use around 400, and ornaments about 100.
Do I need building experience?
Not at all. The booklets are written for someone who has never built a brick model, with one clear step per page, new pieces highlighted and extra tips where a step is tricky. Most homes take three to eight hours, which makes for a lovely weekend project.
What if a piece is out of stock?
Your package includes order files for more than one shop and a full parts list with part numbers, so a missing piece can usually be found elsewhere.
Can I print the booklet?
Yes. Booklets are US Letter landscape and look lovely printed in color, double-sided and bound. It makes the gift feel extra special.
Orders & gifts
Where do I order?
All orders go through our Etsy shop, so checkout is secure and familiar.
Is this a good gift?
It’s one of our favorite things about Hart & Brick. New homeowners, closing gifts, anniversaries, the family home and memorials are all popular. See our gift ideas.
Ready when you are
Let’s build your place
Order your custom plans in our Etsy shop. Send us a few photos, and we’ll design a model that’s unmistakably yours.
Digital download · Bricks sold separately