Decks, porches, landings and docks, and backyard sheds (one storey, with a gable, hip or lean-to roof), today. Fences, pergolas, retaining walls, playhouses and raised garden beds are coming soon. Describe the project, or attach a photo of a dimensioned sketch, and you get a blueprint, a 3D model, a priced materials list, a code check and the build steps.
Not for your first plan. Create a free account to keep it and keep going: plans save automatically, up to 100 per account.
Yes. Drag, resize, add or remove any member in the blueprint or the 3D view. Span checks on your edits run in your browser for free, and you can ask the AI to review the whole design and re-price it.
From store prices at Home Depot (US and Canada) and RONA, near the postal or ZIP code you give. They are estimates: every price is editable, and you should confirm them in store before you buy.
The plan file and the blueprint sheet, from the Project menu and the blueprint view.
Spans, cantilevers and beams are checked against the IRC 2021 tables, with the margin shown for each. For a new design, 16Span also looks up the local code for the location you give, such as frost depth and snow load.
No. 16Span is a planning tool, not a licensed engineer, and its plans are not stamped. Many projects need a permit, and some need drawings stamped by an engineer. Always confirm with your local building department before you build.
Yes. Every tab is open to everyone, and a free account includes an AI allowance of about 8 new plans, or about 35 changes to plans you have, every 30 days. The only thing metered is AI drafting.
Drafting a new plan, and asking the AI for a change, a re-check, new prices or an answer about your plan. Editing by hand, span checks on your edits, the 3D model, the materials list, the build steps and downloads never use it.
A new plan is the AI drafting a whole project from your description: the first plan for a project, or asking it to start over with a different design. It includes looking up your local code and store prices, so it uses the most. A change is any request on a plan you already have, like moving the stairs, switching to composite decking or re-checking after your edits; it uses about a quarter of a new plan. A quick question uses less still. One project is usually one new plan plus a few changes.
Projects vary a lot in size, so 16Span meters the AI work each one takes. The counts are estimates for a typical deck: bigger or more complex projects use more.
It rolls: each day's usage frees up 30 days later, rather than everything resetting on one date.
The ring beside your account in the planner fills as you use your allowance. Hover or tap it to see the percentage used and any credits left.
You can wait for your allowance to free up, top up with AI credits, or go Pro for a larger allowance. The planner offers both right where you need them.
One-time top-ups for when your allowance runs out: $5 (about 4 new plans or 20 changes), $10 (about 9 new plans or 40 changes), $25 (about 23 new plans or 100 changes). Credits never expire, and they are only used once your monthly allowance is spent. Pro members get 50% more from every pack.
A subscription for contractors and anyone running many projects a month, with an allowance of about 71 new plans, or about 310 changes, every 30 days. It's the lowest price per plan, and credit packs give Pro members 50% more. Everything else is the same as Free.
Yes, anytime, from Manage billing in the account menu. Your plans stay in your account, and your allowance goes back to the free one.
Payments go through Stripe Checkout, in US dollars. Your card details are handled by Stripe and never reach 16Span.
Your first plan needs no account. See the blueprint, the materials and the code check for your own project.