| |
| |
|
Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
An Affordable Shortcut To Designing Your Dream Home
You have likely been making mental notes for years. Every book or magazine that you read and each home that you visit has become a source for pieces to the puzzle that can become your new home. You don't know a thing about architecture, designing or drafting but that shouldn't stop you from taking the dream house that you have pictured in your head and making it a reality. There are two ways that you can approach the creation of new house plans from which a builder can work: 1. Hire an architect 2. Make alterations to an existing house plan There are many benefits to working directly with an architect. You will be able to sit down with an experienced designer and review, very specifically, all of the ideas and requirements for the home that you have in mind. The architect can give suggestions and help you to avoid problems that you may not have anticipated. However, be prepared to pay handsomely for this service. A good architect does not come cheap. An economical compromise is to modify existing new house plans. There are hundreds of publications and websites that specialize in developing house plans that are available for purchase. These packaged plans are designed by professional architects and are available in a variety of styles, sizes and price-ranges. In many cases, you can visit a website and enter the various criteria for the home that you desire and an internal search engine will match your specs with plans in inventory. You should be looking for companies that will allow you to modify existing house plans. Not all of them will. When you find one that has a large enough inventory of plans, take the specifications that you have developed for the house that you want to build and use the site's search engine to find compatible designs. You will likely be indicating basics such as: - Style of home (Colonial, Ranch, Mediterranean, Cape Cod, etc.) - Square footage - Number of bedrooms - Number of bathrooms - Garage - Type of foundation While it is unlikely that a plan will be just what you were looking for (though you never know), you may find one that is generally suitable if some modifications can be made to match your specific requirements. For an additional fee, the company will allow you to present written alterations to the existing plan. These changes will then be presented to a staff architect who will incorporate the modifications as requested. Common modifications include: - Changing the foundation - Adding or enlarging a garage - Reconfiguring a bathroom or kitchen - Adding to or reducing the size of rooms Typically, you can make the changes right on the house plan. Written explanations are requested along with the design to insure accuracy. The altered plans are then submitted and an estimate is prepared by the design firm and returned to the customer. Once satisfied, the customer will receive a complete set of blueprints to forward to the builder. While you may not be able to claim that you personally designed your own home, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that the finished product has your personal touch. And you will be able to afford a few more amenities with the money you saved on an expensive architect. About the author: J. Terrence McDermott is administrator and webmaster for House Plans Central a site featuring recommendations and resources for those seeking information about house plans and home designs. He can be reached at info@house-plans-central.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Home-Improvement - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Old House Remodeling: Removing Old Tile and Glue When you live in old house like I do, remodeling is always a challenge and a surprise. I am currently involved in a major kitchen remodel. Selecting a Laminate Floor to Suite Your Needs The traditional look of hardwood flooring is timeless; its beauty has brought a sense of comfort and elegance to homes around the world for many generations. Hardwood floors are however pricey, not very durable and require a fair amount of routine maintenance and care. The Benefits of Radiant Heat, Comparison What are the Benefits of Radiant Heating and how do they compare to other heating applications?You maybe be considering radiant heat to install into your existing or your new home but don't quite understand the advantages or the differences between heating applications? Well we would like to inform you of the benefits and the comparisons to other heating applications available.Some of the benefits of radiant heat are:Comfort: Let your bare feet soak up the warmth of soothing heat without the dust and noise associated with other heating sources. When Is It Time To Call The Professional? For most Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home project managers, the most difficult decision is to know when to give the professionals a call to come complete a task and when to complete it yourself. The reason we like to do our own home upgrades or an addition is always a pretty internal and selfish reason. About Lighting Your Home Lighting is such a critical part of any home improvement project. Whether it's a kitchen remodel or a brand new home, the lighting plan should be well thought out. Installing Retrofit and Replacement Vinyl Windows In previous articles i explained to you how to determine whether your windows are candidates for vinyl replacement style frames or retrofit style frames. This week I'm going to explain the installation techniques for both frame styles. Unfinished Furniture - Finish It Yourself! Unfinished furniture has started to become extremely popular in the last few years. As customers have discovered the benefit of buying unfinished wood furniture, the industry has responded with an even larger selection. Advice on Waterproofing Your Deck Even if you undertook the task of building your own deck, you understand the large investment (both monetary and in time) that went into the project. Decks add beauty and value to a home, and are often the family's favorite place on lovely afternoons. How to Care for Laminate Flooring It's hard to damage and easy to care for laminate floors. Here are some tips on how to properly maintain them:1. Chiminea - Buy It for the Versatility of Enjoying Both Fireplace and Grill! I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of grilled salmon and baked potatoes, done to perfection in their chiminea. The sun was setting and it was cooling down but overall a wonderful summer evening. How to Deal With Contractors Not everyone is aware of how to deal with contractors. Imagine that your Home Improvement Loan has been granted. The Importance of Bedroom Design in a Home Decoration Project. A home is a place where we live, spend most of our lives, with family members and our loved ones.A bedroom design project includes a careful study of the surrounding of the entire home. Planning Permission Tips UK - Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows - What You Should Know Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is when developing or extending a property. This is potentially one of the most subjective Planning issues their is. Measuring For Your Vinyl Replacement Windows Let's say you're tired of those old wood windows, and you decide it's time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. You get 2 or 3 contractors to come out and give you an estimate. Luxury Bedding is More Than Just Thread Count Thread count is the most widely referred to term when searching for those "perfect sheets." Generally, the higher the thread count, the more costly you'll find the sheets. Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future? Many people dream about a log home in their future but never get around to making their dream come true. Here's how to get past the hurdles and start living your dream. A Few Simple Facts About Gas And Electric Heating Systems To make your home more energy efficient, you need to understand the energy efficiency of different types of heating and cooling systems. Many times people are confused by inaccurate information they receive from manufacturers and sellers of heating and cooling equipment. Creating Dynamic Window Coverings Without Breaking the Budget When creating dynamic window coverings, it's important to choose carefully, because your window coverings will become the focal points of a well-decorated room. But choosing the right window treatments, at the right price, takes some thought about not only the look you're hoping to achieve, but also about the nature of the space itself. Small Cabin Plans - Finding a Great Log Cabin Plan Online Small cabin plans - how do you find that special log cabin plan that is just right for you? Before the internet, you would buy some cabin plans books and look through the plans to see if any appealed to you. If you found one, you could order the log cabin plan you wanted by telephone or mail. Heres How To Know Which Kitchen Design Is Right For You Kitchen design is a sea of opportunity filled with potential. Color schemes, wallpaper and other aesthetic additions will make up the design portion of your kitchen.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
