Categories
Custom Home Plan

Great Tips: Should you hire architects?

Should you buy a custom home plan or hire an architect or your new home? If so, what exactly should they be doing for you? To know the answer to these questions you should know the different services architects provide and if it makes more financial sense for you to hire an architect or buy a house plan.  Many people are under the assumption that most homes are designed by architects. Did you know that that is false? Less than 2% of all homes in the United States are designed by architects. There is a relatively small number of residential architects that specialize in designing homes.

custom home planAnother myth is that when you hire an architect to design your home they will in turn give the design over to your builder for the project to be completed. That is only one option. It is also an option to have an architect see the project from start to finish until you move in. That option would cost more. Depending on where you live in architect might be required to review and provide a stamp on the drawings.

Should you buy a custom home plan or just hire an architect?

So what do architects do?  They provide a variety of services broken down into several phases.  If we are talking about home designs their core projects can be broken down to five or six categories of work.

  • Schematic design:  the architect will visit in analyzed the building site for you, gather information from you about your ideas, budget and other details. Then the architect comes up with a rough sketch of what your home will look like. Communication is very critical in this phase.
  • Design development: once you accept the initial design the intricate work begins for the architect. This would concern spatial relationships into a real building design with your floor plans, roof, interior and exterior trims and more.
  • Construction documents: the architect provides detailed drawings or blueprints and your written specifications for contractors. These detailed drawings are also required for building permits.
  • Bidding or negotiations: the architect will help you solicit from a list of contractors that they feel are qualified to handle the project of building your home. Alternatively you can hire your own contractor. The architect may also answer contractor questions and clarify the plan specs.
  • Construction administration: with this item of work the architect acts as your agent making sure the builder and his subcontractors are strictly following the plans for your home. They should also ensure no corners are being cut so to speak.  In most cases it should be noted the architect is not contractually liable for supervising your contractors.

Architectural payments and different options

custom home planMost architects will work on an hourly or fixed fee based upon a percentage of your total construction costs. These might range from 5% on up to 15% for new home building. For remodeling the fee can be higher from 15% to 20%.  So on a $300,000 home design and architect would stand to make $30,000.  Another option is to buy a home plan and manage the project yourself. Unless you want a totally unique work of art for your home a custom home plan would do the trick. Should you decide to go this route you can count on saving around $28,000 and putting that money back in your pocket.  You could also use that money to add some upgrades to your new home if you chose a custom home plan from our site.  These are just some ideas. Some folks like the à la carte services that an architect offers and are willing to spend the extra money.  The choice is yours. We hope this article helps and good luck on your new home!

Categories
Stock House Plan

Stock House Plan or Hire an Architect?

A stock house plan may be the most important step towards completing a house.  So should You Buy a Stock House Plan or Hire an Architect?  Your dream house will remain a dream unless you get a house plan.  However, it might be difficult to decide whether you want to buy a stock house plan or hire an architect to design your house.  You will find below the differences between these two options.

Stock House planBefore starting the whole project, people usually develop a budget for it which they manage throughout the process.  If planning takes too much time, the budget will potentially seem thinner and thinner, especially if an architect is hired for the design.  When it comes to the cost, hiring an architect becomes more expensive than choosing a house plan from a vast collection already available.  In fact, if you buy a stock house plan, you will be able to save about 80% from the final cost, compared to if you hire an architect.

To buy a stock house plan has many advantages and these include

  • The house plan is available and you can access it easily.
  • It is budget friendly.
  • The plan is flexible to alterations.
  • A great number of plans is available, and each has some varying features; you are presented with numerous plans until you find the perfect one for you.
  • You will have the option of customizable features.
  • It is time saving as you will acquire your plan in a short amount of time.

On the other hand, there are also some advantages to consulting an architect:

  • You will have a face to face consultation.
  • The architect will draft the plan according to your descriptions.
  • A unique flair is added to some elements of the house.
  • The architect will design the house while having the building materials in mind.stock house plan

However, you can buy a stock house plans while having the advantages of hiring an architect if the company you are buying from offers this option.  The company you are dealing with may have relationships with licensed architects and designers that you can contact.

The process of planning a home doesn’t have to be as complicated as some might think.  Of course, finding what best suits your needs is very essential.  Different house plans are available to everyone.  With all of this diversity, surely you will find the right plan for you.

Categories
House Plan Cost

House Plan Budgeting Tips For Beginners

house plan budgetPeople are becoming more aware that you can get a house plan online and avoid paying an architect.  What is your actual house plan budget?  This opens up new opportunities for home buyers because they can save money.  But what style house plan is right for you? There are so many options: Contemporary, Floridian, Luxury, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish and the list goes on and on. Elegant house layouts are conveniently available to virtually any particular person for any region in the world. You have to take a look at a wide variety of plans out there to get a solid feel for what you want and your budget.  Make a short list.  Examine the plans and keep your spending plan in mind.

What’s your house plan budget?

Let’s talk about your house plan budget.  We all have a budget so be sure to think about that as you consider house plans.  Will you need to buy more furniture? How much more expensive will your electric bill be?  If you are putting in a new lawn, how much will that water cost over the next 60 days of continuous watering.  What about your kitchen cabinets?  Be very thorough, think of everything.  These are just a couple ideas to get you thinking in that direction.  You will also need to be collaborating with a reliable contractor who will construct your dream home that you want based upon your house plan.  However, the fact remains that you will save money by getting preexisting, pre-drawn architectural house plans versus hiring an architect directly.  You can find affordable house plans here.

house plan budgetDo you have a bigger house plan budget?  If a half-million dollar house or more remains in your desires, make certain you can fund it. Go to your accountant, in addition contact your lender upfront so that you can understand exactly what spending plan you may work with.  Strategically set your price range.  Make sure that you don’t acquire too much burden of debt.  Once you feel confident you have a grasp on all the costs you will know your budget.  Follow through with building your dream home.  That will be an extremely exciting time for you!

Categories
Floor plans

10 Floor Plan Tips For Home Designs

Choosing a floor plan for your home design may be one of the most exciting decisions you would ever make. This is a major decision because it is where you will raise your family. That is why you should choose a house that fits your lifestyle. To achieve that you will need to have the right floor plan. This includes having the right size, shape and location of rooms. However, there is no need to be overwhelmed by all these different decisions that you will have to make. Check these 10 effective ways that will help you choose the right floor plan for your home.

Floor Plan Considerations You Cannot Ignore

floor plan
What floor plan size do you need?

1. Decide on the size

Each family will have various needs and will be comfortable in different house sizes. The first thing to consider is how large should a house be to fit your lifestyle. Check how many bedrooms and bathrooms are enough. Consider the number of family members as well as the potential visiting guests.

2. Consider your design style

Each person has their own design style. Do you want something traditional? Do you want a compartmentalized floor plan where the rooms are separated by walls? Do you prefer a modern style with an open floor plan? Think about the furnishings and the way you will decorate your house. Remember that having coordinated colors is very important in case you choose an open floor plan.

3. Decide on the dwelling type that fits your location

Single family homes will give you the option of having an outdoor space. In this case, you can have a yard, backyard, and more space. Brownstones or condos in urban areas can provide you your same needs of a single family home but divided among a multi-level floor plan. In split level floor plans, the floors are split to different levels so that they wouldn’t consume the entire footprint of the house.

4. Understand both the advantages and the disadvantages of your chosen floor plans

No floor plan is perfect. You will need to have priorities and decide on the floor plan that best suits your needs. An open and spacious floor plan can make it harder to concentrate in the home office while someone is watching TV in the living room. A large living room window wall may let in natural light but at the same time it will increase your heating bills and energy cooling. Make a list of the pros and cons then weigh them.

5. Base your decision on the layout and not the finishes

Your decision should be made based on the way your home flows. The floor plan should be functional for your everyday activities. It should feel right because the rooms are welcoming and complement your needs.

6. Receive guidance from a real estate of design professional

Floor plan of large homeA realtor or a design professional can open your eyes to aspects of the floor plan that you did not consider. These include energy savings or costs, affordability of mortgage payments, location in relation to local resources such as schools, stores, and churches, and the maintenance experience. A professional can guide you to make the right choice.
 

7. Trust your instinct

When you feel that a certain space is comfortable and fits your needs, then trust your instincts. There are many styles of floor plans to choose from on Architecthouseplans.com, so while choosing consider your instincts. A family with small children may prefer for the master bedrooms to be housed among the other bedrooms, while a family with teenagers may want the master bedroom to be separated by public spaces.

8. Decide if you want to keep the existing furniture or buy new

If you want to keep your current furniture, then you will have to measure it and take it into account when reviewing your floor plans. If you want to buy new furniture then don’t forget to make sure that it fits in every room. Remember that oversized furniture will make your rooms feel smaller.

9. Set your budget before choosing

Although it would nice to be able to buy whatever floor plan your heart desires remember that you will need to stick to a budget. Know all the costs associated with a certain layout. A contractor or a builder can help you determine the cost so that you can choose the floor plan that fits your budget.

10. Realize that floor modifications can be an option

Remodeling and modifying a floor plan can be an option. You can remove a spare closet or open up a wall. Keep this in mind while you search for the right floor plan.

11. Ask ArchitectHousePlans.com. We are your home design professionals and have dealt with many families over the years that have different needs.

Categories
House Plans

Construct Your Own Compact Texas Small House

Most of the southern homes are warm, inviting and undoubtedly a hub of family activities. The reason behind such incredible homes is the high focus on choosing house floor plans Texas which are true to their roots. Many of these homes have a great personality and are created from detailed master plans which focus on getting the most out of every square foot of space afforded. If you are looking to build your own Texas home, you are bound to get a few very interesting ideas from the Texas home floor plans, many of which are available online on home plan websites.

You should know beforehand the space that is available to build your home. Based on that precise area, you can choose from the numerous small house plans Texas keeping in mind the number of stories you want, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, attic or basement and any other specific requirement you might have. Every plan adds a detail or changes various requisites so you are bound to find a few that match your vision.You can choose a compact design you like and download the blue print so that you can begin the building process immediately. Moreover they are affordable, as opposed to hiring an architect.

Categories
House Plans

Choose Your Building House Plan and Instantly Download It

To create the perfect home for yourself one of the first things you need to keep on stand-by is a detailed building house plan. This is the blue-print that will continue to be referred to time and again, not only by you but your contractors and any local architects you hire during construction. This detailed plan will clearly demarcate the different rooms of the house and show all the areas separated by walls and doors including the interior and the exterior footprint. It will help you plan a comfortable and artistic home that will not only give you pleasure but will also be comfortable for many years to come.

Plans for homes can definitely be drawn up by an architect you hire. However another very useful option is to look for house floor plans online which offer a huge variety of different designs. You get to choose elaborately detailed one story or multiple story plans and home styles from Traditional American to Mediterranean. Looking through these will help you finalize your own home details and also get you answers to any questions. The more details you have, the more you can focus on your home and you will get it perfected according to your specific needs. Such house plans online can be downloaded instantly so you can begin the preparations on a positive note without wasting any time.