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
 Google News Updated : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:25:10 GMT Obama to attack Bush, McCain in speech tonight - CNN
CNN - DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- Democratic nominee Barack Obama will attack John McCain for pushing the same policies as the Bush administration in a speech at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. Video: Remembering Dr. King's legacy 28-Aug-08 Remembering The "Dream" As Obama Lives It Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:51:33 GMT Movie Review - New York Times
New York Times - Don Cheadle’s character, the son of a Sudanese father and an American mother, is a trained warrior with an ambiguous edge. By AO SCOTT “Traitor,” a somber, absorbing and only moderately preposterous new thriller written and directed by Jeffrey ... Critics Consensus: Babylon Condemned, Traitor Fails Cheadle anchors twisty tale Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:09:11 GMT Comcast Sets Monthly Bandwidth Limit for Customers - PC World
PC World - Comcast, the largest provider of cable-based broadband service in the US, will limit residential customers to 250 gigabytes of bandwidth a month beginning Oct. 1, the company announced late Thursday. Comcast to cap monthly consumer broadband starting Oct. 1 Comcast to Cap Data Transfers at 250 GB in Oct. Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:34:38 GMT Top-Seeded Ivanovic Loses in Second Round - New York Times
New York Times - Ana Ivanovic, above, fell to Julie Coin of France in the second round Thursday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. By RAY KRUEGER Ana Ivanovic is out of the United States Open. Ivanovic shocked by French qualifier Coin at US Open Top-seeded Ivanovic loses in huge upset at US Open Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:06:49 GMT EU agrees to support Georgia, but stalls over more severe action - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - By Stephen Castle BRUSSELS: Struggling for a coherent response to the Russian military actions in the Caucasus, senior European Union diplomats Thursday agreed to increase assistance to Georgia but shied away from threats to impose tough sanctions ... West mulls few options in Georgia-Russia crisis Turkey in tight spot between Russia and NATO Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:02:30 GMT Scientists Reprogram Adult Cells' Function - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Rob Stein Through a series of painstaking experiments involving mice, the Harvard biologists pinpointed three crucial molecular switches that, when flipped, completely convert a common cell in the pancreas into the more precious insulin-producing ... Health Buzz: Hope for Diabetes and Other Health News Researchers Report Advances in Cell Conversion Technique Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:41:39 GMT De La Hoya shies away from retirement talk - ESPN
ESPN - By Dan Rafael Oscar De La Hoya announced his exit strategy from the ring at the beginning of 2008. After a glorious 16-year professional fighting career, De La Hoya was making plans for retirement. De La Hoya to face Pacquiao in December Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao agree to fight Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:08:50 GMT Increase Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... If you are planning a home makeover or remodeling project,... Read More Hiring a professional to replace your rollers could cost you... Read More Have you ever thought of your home as being healthy... Read More Are you overloaded? Have you become a part of the... Read More Thinking of building a new home or complex? Will you... Read More Bathrooms aren't just about the basics but are about the... Read More When you read a great inspirational book, prayer, or article,... Read More Imagine leaving a window open all winter long ? the... Read More 1. Q. IS NATURAL STONE A GOOD CHOICE FOR HOME... Read More Many of us know that solar energy is a good... Read More Water is a key ingredient in a healthy diet and... Read More Waterproof consultants perform a wide variety of functions. Why should... Read More Bamboo flooring has emerged as a new material for the... Read More If you just love that rustic look, and are finally... Read More Many items a person can add to the kitchen are... Read More Unfinished furniture has started to become extremely popular in the... Read More You may find it difficult to believe that the days... Read More Would you like to add a personal touch to your... Read More What's in a name? Whirlpool baths have been around forever,... Read More With today's new building procedures, our homes are more dangerous... Read More A drill press, also known as a pillar drill, is... Read More When you are choosing a new ceiling fan there are... Read More If the decision of what type radiant heating system to... Read More What is Concrete Cutting?Concrete cutting is a process of controlled... Read More Your Own Homes Improvement Outline(One for the Ladies)Let me begin... Read More
Adsense
websites
Creating Your Joyful Home: Inspiration to Make a Home Planning Journal
How to Replace the Rollers on Your Patio Sliding Glass Glass Door
Five Ways to Create a Healthy Home
Vacation Break for Electrical Machines
Architect or Building Designer ? Who Do You Choose?
The Right Bathroom Accessories Will Make Your Bathroom Unforgetable
Making Space for Sacred Space
Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter - Overlooked Sources of Heat Loss in the Home
FAQs About Using Stone In Your Home
Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages
The Health Benefits Of Drinking Water - Is Bottled Drinking Water Healthier Than Filtered Tap Water?
Why You Might Need a Waterproofing Consultant
Bamboo Flooring for the 21st Century
Tips for Choosing Log Furniture
Bakers Racks Add Flair And Style To Your Kitchen
Unfinished Furniture - Finish It Yourself!
Make a Grand Entrance of Your Front Door
Brighten Up Your Shelves With Picture Frames
You Say Jacuzzi and I Say Whirlpool
Unadulterated Truth About Black Mold: What You Don?t Know Is Destroying Your Home And Your Health
What to Look For in a Drill Press
Help With Buying A New Ceiling Fan
Electric Radiant and Floor Coverings
Concrete Cutting: The Unknown Niche
Home Improvement for The Ladies!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Laminate Flooring Advantages
DurabilityBecause it's designed with a tough and durable wear layer,... Read More
Three Great Concepts for Remodeling a Master Bedroom
Since it's one of the places people spend the most... Read More
Interior Design For Bargain Hunters
Interior design for bargain hunters is the new fashionable item... Read More
Removing Old Aluminum Windows
This week we are going to talk about the process... Read More
Electrical Savings System; Save up to 40% on Your Electric Bill Every Month
Once a month there's an electric bill coming in the... Read More
Bring Out the Comforters for Back to School
If the weather is turning chilly it must time for... Read More
Deck Building Ledger - The Secrets to Successful Deck Construction
The Deck Building Ledger holds all the secrets to successful... Read More
What to Look For in a Drill Press
A drill press, also known as a pillar drill, is... Read More
Old House Remodeling: Removing Old Tile and Glue
When you live in old house like I do, remodeling... Read More
A New Era in Bathroom Technology - Bathroom Home Improvements
Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to... Read More
Window Shutters On A Budget
While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood... Read More
The Bathroom - The Forgotten Area Of Your Home?
The bathroom in your home is the one room that... Read More
Deck Design - Why Firm Foundations Are Essential
Preparing a deck design for your backyard is all the... Read More
Guides To Interior Design
These days, finding advice or guides to interior design is... Read More
Poster, Print or Painting - Where Are You Going To Put It?
If you are redesigning or decorating a room, or house,... Read More
Buyers Guide To Heavy-Built Mailboxes
If you are tired of replacing your mailbox every few... Read More
Planning Permission Tips UK - Two Story Side Extensions - The Common Mistakes
Probably the most common type of residential extension is the... Read More
Grandfather Clocks Bring a Sense of Awe?Theyre So Tall
Standing tall and big are the stately grandfather clocks. They... Read More
Wallpaper Doesnt Just Cover...It Defines The Room
Wallpaper is often overlooked as a key part of an... Read More
Spring Deck Prep Tips
It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture... Read More
The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Mattress
Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few... Read More
Securing Your Castle
In the world of today, we no longer employ the... Read More
Installing a Home Theater System
Thinking about installing a home theater system? You're not alone.... Read More
Stair Railings Styles
The stair railing at home is more than a simple... Read More
How To Care For Your Leather Furniture
Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.... Read More
Home Improvement |