We Started With a Hammer, Not a Drafting Table
Max House Plans is a family-run house plan business founded by Max Fulbright, a Georgia Tech—educated designer who started framing houses in high school. With over 35 years of hands-on building experience, 500+ homes built, and 12,000+ plans delivered to all 50 states, we design plans that are practical, buildable, and backed by real construction knowledge. When you work with us, you're working directly with the Fulbright family — not a faceless company.
How a Builder Became a Designer
Max Fulbright Sr. began his career in construction — not architecture. He started framing houses while still in high school, learning residential building from the foundation up. That hands-on experience became the foundation for everything that followed.
After studying engineering at Georgia Tech, Max realized something that would shape his entire career: most architects have never actually built a home. They design on paper without understanding how framing comes together, where plumbing runs most efficiently, or why a particular roofline creates problems for the crew. Max had that knowledge because he'd lived it, hands on lumber, for years before he ever picked up a drafting pencil.
When Max and his wife Sherrie were getting ready to build their own first home, he sketched out the floor plans himself. Neighbors saw what he built and started asking him to design and build their homes too. What started as a favor became a passion, and over the next three decades, Max designed and built hundreds of custom homes across West Georgia, East Alabama, and Metro Atlanta.
In 2010, Max's son — Max Jr. — built a website to share the family's plans with a wider audience. What had been a regional building business became a national plan company, serving homeowners and builders in all 50 states. But the family never changed how they work. Every customer still gets direct access. Every phone call is answered by a Fulbright.
“This isn't just a house plan — it's a home designed by people who understand what it takes to build it.”
Today, multiple family members are involved in the business — Max Jr., Ryan, Rhett, and Tony — bringing the same builder-first philosophy to design, customer support, and plan delivery. The business has grown, but the principle hasn't changed: design homes that work in the real world, and be there for the people building them.
The Fulbright Timeline
The Beginning
Max Fulbright Sr. starts framing houses while still in high school. Learns residential construction from the ground up — foundation to roofline.
Georgia Tech
Max studies engineering at Georgia Tech, combining formal design education with years of hands-on building experience.
First Custom Designs
After sketching plans for his own family's first home, neighbors begin asking Max to design and build theirs. A business is born from word of mouth.
Hundreds of Homes
Over the next decade, Max designs and builds hundreds of custom homes across West Georgia, East Alabama, and Metro Atlanta. Specializes in mountain and lake home design.
Going Nationwide
Max Jr. builds the website to share the family's plans nationwide. What started as a local building business begins reaching customers in all 50 states.
12,000+ Plans Delivered
The Fulbright family grows the business while keeping it personal. Multiple family members — Max Jr., Ryan, Rhett, and Tony — are now involved in design, support, and operations.
Today
35+ years of experience, 500+ homes built, 12,000+ plans delivered across all 50 states. Still family-run. Still answering the phone. Still helping customers and builders personally.
What Makes Max House Plans Different?
The difference is simple — we've actually built the homes we design.
Builder-First Design
Most plan companies employ architects who have never swung a hammer. Our founder started framing houses in high school — that construction experience means fewer surprises, better layouts, and plans that builders actually enjoy working with.
Direct Family Support
When you call Max House Plans, you speak with the Fulbright family. Not a call center, not outsourced support. We answer questions about plans, modifications, materials, and construction — because we've done it all ourselves.
Real-World Tested
Every plan in our collection has been informed by decades of real construction. We know how roof trusses sit, where plumbing runs best, and which layouts cause problems for framers. That knowledge is built into every design.
Modification Experts
We've modified our own plans hundreds of times. Need a room larger, a different foundation, or a new porch configuration? We know each plan inside and out, so modifications are fast, accurate, and handled in-house.
Honest Guidance
We don't upsell or pressure. If a plan doesn't fit your lot or budget, we'll tell you — and point you to one that does. Our goal is to help you build the right home, not just sell a plan.
Nationwide, Still Personal
We've delivered 12,000+ plans to all 50 states, but we still operate like a local builder. Every customer gets personal attention, and we stay available throughout the entire building process.
Meet the Fulbright Family
A family business means you're working with real people who care about getting it right.
Max Fulbright Sr.
35+ years of residential design and construction. Georgia Tech engineering background. Has built over 500 homes.
Max Fulbright Jr.
Built the website in 2010 and grew the business nationwide. Manages digital operations, customer experience, and plan delivery.
Ryan Fulbright
Works directly with customers and builders on plan questions, modifications, and construction support.
Rhett & Tony
Family members involved in design assistance, project support, and maintaining the quality standard across all plans.
Real Words From Real Customers
“We've been looking at house plans online for the last 1½ years. We haven't ever found anything to get excited about. That was until we found your designs. It's great to find a designer that really GETS IT.”
“Gorgeous house plans, some of the nicest I've found!”
“I'm so glad I found your site after many months of looking at hundreds of plans. Was completely sold when I found out you were on the Alabama/Georgia line.”
All plans are designed by Max Fulbright Sr., the founder, with support from the Fulbright family team. Max has over 35 years of residential design and construction experience, a Georgia Tech engineering background, and has personally built over 500 homes. The family handles all design, modifications, and customer support directly.
No. Max House Plans is a family-owned and operated business based in Georgia. Multiple family members — Max Jr., Ryan, Rhett, and Tony — are involved in the business. When you call, you speak directly with the family. There is no outsourced call center or anonymous support team.
Yes. One of the advantages of working with a family business is direct access. You can call (770) 301-4214 to speak with the Fulbright team about any plan, modification, or construction question. We support homeowners and builders before, during, and after the build.
Yes. In addition to our plan collection, we offer full custom home design. Max interviews each client, listens to your wish list, and creates unique elevations and floor plans tailored to your lot, budget, and lifestyle. Custom designs can be completed in person or remotely via phone and email.
We're based in Georgia, near the Alabama state line. However, we serve customers nationwide — our plans have been delivered to all 50 states and as far as Canada. Plans meet general residential construction standards and can be adapted to local building codes with the help of your local builder.
Ready to Work With a Family That Cares About Homes?
Browse our plan collection or call us directly. We'll help you find the right plan, discuss modifications, and answer any questions about building your home.